Patent Application
20140157503
The present invention relates generally to the field of plumbing; more particularly, to efficient inner workings of toilets; and more particularly still, to a toilet flush valve connecting device that replaces the troublesome chain linkage between the trip rod and flapper valve in a toilet in order to forestall the common run-on problems caused by the chain linkage.
Indoor plumbing and flush toilets have been in limited use since antiquity. However, their use became widespread in many parts of the world over one hundred years ago. Since that time, a number of different designs have been introduced that use various components to effect the release of a quantity of water into the toilet bowl in order to flush the toilet. One of the most common designs currently employed utilizes a flush handle on the exterior of the toilet connected to a trip rod on the interior of the toilet tank. The trip rod is linked via a connecting chain to a flapper valve. When the flush handle is actuated, it raises the trip rod, which in turn raises the connecting chain, thereby causing the flapper valve to also lift up from its closed position. The water stored in the toilet tank then rushes through the open flapper valve, into the toilet bowl, and then through the toilet exit port and into the sewer pipe. When the toilet tank is nearly empty of water, the flapper valve closes, allowing the toilet tank to refill via the actions of the float apparatus and inflow valve.
Although the above flushing process seems straight-forward and efficient, there is a common problem that is often experienced: toilet run-on. This problem can be caused in a number of ways, but is commonly the result of the connecting chain twisting and/or kinking, thereby causing the flapper valve to not properly seal against the tank discharge orifice. As refill water enters the tank in an attempt to recharge the tank in preparation for the next flush, the water continuously drains through the improperly sealed tank discharge orifice and runs into the toilet bowl. As the tank can not fill in this situation, the float apparatus can not rise and shut off the inflow valve so water will continue to flow into the toilet tank, through the discharge orifice, into the toilet bowl, out of the toilet exit port, and into the sewer pipe. This situation causes an enormous waste of water, creates a constant noise, and is harmful to the efficient operation of water and sewer systems.
A number of attempts have been made in the prior art to address this problem. For related prior art, see:
U.S. Pat. No. 8,087,106, issued on Jan. 3, 2012 to Mitchell; U.S. Pat. No. 5,784,726, issued on Jul. 28, 1998 to Kay; U.S. Pat. No. 5,142,710, issued on Sep. 1, 1992 to Olson; U.S. Pat. No. 7,591,027, issued on Sep. 22, 2009 to Scruggs; U.S. Pat. No. 5,459,884, issued on Oct. 24, 1995 to Wesolowsky; U.S. Pat. No. 5,042,096, issued on 1991-08-91 to Bolli; U.S. Pat. No. 4,455,694, issued on Jun. 26, 1984 to Dymon;
U.S. Patent Application Numbers 2009/0126094, filed on Nov. 12, 2008 by Laub; 2006/0130226, filed on Dec. 21, 2005 by Silvestre; 2008/0201833, filed on Jul. 16, 2007 by Scruggs; 2009/0019628, filed on May 19, 2005 by Leblanc; and
Foreign Patent Document Numbers CA2005116351, on Aug. 12, 2005 by Leblanc; EP0339168, on Nov. 2, 1989 by Garcia de Couto; WO2010030265, on Mar. 18, 2010 by Wajda.
Mitchell's patent describes a flapper valve that releases varying amounts of water for conservation, but doesn't remove the chain that is the reason for run-on. Also Mitchell's device is inconvenient to use since the handle must be held down to vary the amount of water used. Laube's 2008 patent application discloses a water saving device, which replaces the customary chain with a series of rigid connectors between the trip rod and the flapper, having the primary purpose of terminating a flush. However, he couples his rigid connectors with chain links, or springs which can cock or kink, thus prohibiting the valve from closing completely, again causing run-on. Kay's 1998 patent shows a spherical device attached to the overflow pipe which limits the upward movement of the flapper valve limiting the amount of water used with each flush and prevents the flapper from being stuck open but he continues with the chain, the cause of run-on. Silvestre's 2005 application discloses a devise that closes the flapper valve from outside the tank in the event of a clogged bowl. The device itself is made of a supple material, but the actuator for flushing the toilet remains of the prior art: a chain that tangles and causes run-on. Scruggs' 2007 application describes an invention whose main object is to provide multiple types of flapper valves that allow various levels of water in the tank for various flushing needs. The drawbacks are the complicated design and costly implementation while retaining the age-old chains that actuate the flappers leaving the same problem of run-on. Leblanc's 2005 foreign and US filings detail a flush valve leakage prevention device for a toilet tank. This device suffers from several design flaws. First, it requires the user to continually hold down the handle while the toilet flushes. Second, it is envisioned as a kit, so many of the retrofitted toilets will still have a chain. In fact, Leblanc only specifies a very nondescript “flush activating system” and gives no specifics, but in his drawings he clearly shows a chain and offers no alternative. This is a device, which is, in effect, a flat spring that contacts the flapper valve forcing it back in place after the handle is released. In the event of a tangled chain there may not be enough force/pressure to fully close the flapper valve. Wesolowsky's 1995 patent introduces a water control system which allows a partial or full flush as required by the nature of the waste. The individual can choose the amount of water to be discharged. Furthermore, a partial flush can be aborted and a full flush can be implemented, if desired, by activating a button mounted through the flush handle. The device incorporates the common floating flapper, but regulates the time of closure by controlling the escape of air by means of a tube inserted in the top of the flapper and regulated by a needle valve. He describes a flexible string to control the flapper, but pictures a chain. It looks like a very good device to regulate water flow, but questionable when controlling run-on. Bolli's 1991 patent describes a duel flush apparatus; his primary focus is on a dual flapper system. He describes several types of flexible tripping devices, but does not describe the attachment in detail. Dymon's 1984 patent describes a clip on device for saving water in a toilet. The attachment comprises a force-down wire, which the homeowner attaches to the standard flapper valve. He initiates the flush with a chain, allowing the problem of chain kinks or tangles to again cause run-on. Garcia de Couto's 1988 foreign patent document illustrates an attachment that does not appear to lend itself to the American toilet, however it is chained to the past. Wajda's 2010 foreign patent document describes another dual-flush system with a variable height differential and actuated by chains, again introducing the perpetrator of run-ons. Olson's 1992 patent introduces a water saver that does not use the standard floating flapper valve. One actuates the flush by pushing the handle and the user holds the flush handle until he deems the flush as being complete. At that point he releases the handle, which causes a water-filled auxiliary flapper to push the actual valve back into its closed position. A chain controls all this. As can be seen by close examination of the above devices: the prior art employs chains or other run-on producing devices, is overly complicated and necessitates replacing complete toilets or at least most of the inner workings thereof.
What is needed is a solution to toilet run-on that is simple to employ, does not need to utilize a chain or other easily tangled or blocked device, and can be effortlessly retro-fitted into existing toilets without the need to employ a professional plumber.
One embodiment of the present invention comprises a flexible, non-tangle funicular element that is attached via a novel connector to the discharge valve of a toilet, replacing the ubiquitous and troublesome chain connector. Unlike other systems, the present invention can be retro-fitted into existing toilets by the average person and does not require the assistance of a professional plumber or handyman.
The aforementioned and other features and objects of the present invention and the manner of attaining them will become more apparent and the invention itself will be best understood by reference to the following descriptions of a preferred embodiment and other embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Referring now to the drawings,
The refill line 134 runs into the overflow tube 132 which is in fluid communication with the tank drain apparatus 136. The drain apparatus 136 is positioned in the tank outlet 116 and is in fluid communication with the toilet bowl line 117. Although not shown in
The flush handle 142 is rotatably mounted on the outside of the toilet tank 112 such that it can be actuated by a user in order to flush the toilet. Inside the tank 112, the handle 142 is affixed to the trip rod 144. The trip rod 144 is connected to the flapper valve 140 by the chain 146. As illustrated in
When the user presses down on the end of the flush handle 142, the handle 142 rotates, thereby lifting the trip rod 144 inside the tank 112. When the rod 144 lifts, it pulls up on the chain 146, causing the chain 146 to raise the flapper valve 140 separating the flapper valve seal 138. The flapper valve 140 hinges upward on the flapper valve hinge 149 and creates an opening into the drain apparatus 136. Water inside the toilet tank 112 then rushes into the drain apparatus 136, flows through the toilet bowl line 117 and into the toilet bowl. The user can release the flush handle 142 and the flapper valve 140 will remain open until substantially all of the water in the tank 112 has exited into the bowl. The flapper valve 140 stays open because it is somewhat buoyant. When the level of the water in the tank 112 drops far enough to no longer buoy the flapper valve 140 upwards, it settles back against the drain apparatus 136 and the flapper valve 140 then closes.
When the water is evacuated from the tank 112, the float 130 moves downwards as the water is no longer there to hold the float 130 up (when water is present, the float 130 floats on the surface of the water and is in a raised position). With the float 130 in a down position (as shown in
However, because the prior art illustrated in
The toilet tank flushing apparatus 200 has many of the same components as shown in
Also extending from the valve assembly 228 is a refill line 234 that refills the toilet bowl after a flush. The refill line 234 runs into the overflow tube 232 which is in fluid communication with the tank drain apparatus 236. The drain apparatus 236 is positioned in the tank outlet 216 and is in fluid communication with the toilet bowl line 217 which is attached to the toilet bowl and provides the path for water from the tank 212 to enter the bowl during a flush cycle. The flapper valve 240 seals against the drain apparatus 236 using the flapper valve seal 238. When sealed, water from the tank 212 can not enter the drain apparatus 236. The flapper valve 240 is connected to the drain apparatus 236 via a hinge 249.
The flush handle 242 is rotatably mounted on the outside of the toilet tank 212 such that it can be actuated by a user in order to flush the toilet. Inside the tank 212, the handle 242 is affixed to the trip rod 244. The trip rod 244 is connected to the flapper valve 240 by the toilet flush valve connecting device 210. The connecting device 210 comprises a flexible, funicular element 250 and a flexible element connector 260. The flexible, funicular element 250 is attached to the trip rod 244 at one of the plurality of trip rod connecting points 245. In the embodiment illustrated in
When the user presses down on the end of the flush handle 242, the handle 242 rotates, thereby lifting the trip rod 244 inside the tank 212. When the rod 244 lifts, it pulls up on the toilet flush valve connecting device 210, causing the connecting device 210 to raise the flapper valve 240 and separating the flapper valve seal 238. The flapper valve 240 hinges upward on the flapper valve hinge 249 and creates an opening into the drain apparatus 236. Water inside the toilet tank 212 then rushes into the drain apparatus 236, flows through the toilet bowl line 217 and into the toilet bowl. The user can release the flush handle 242 and the flapper valve 240 will remain open until substantially all of the water in the tank 212 has exited into the bowl. The flapper valve 240 then closes.
When the water is evacuated from the tank 212, the float 230 moves downwards as the water is no longer there to hold the float 230 up. With the float 230 in a down position, the valve assembly 228 is opened and incoming water flows into the tank 212 via the downspout 231 and also into the toilet bowl via the toilet bowl refill line 234. As water fills the tank 212, it presses up on the float 230 until the float reaches its raised position. When the float 230 is in the raised position, it causes the valve assembly 228 to be closed and water stops flowing into the tank 212 and toilet bowl. The toilet tank 212 is now full of water and the toilet is ready for the next flushing cycle.
Unlike the prior art shown in
The first terminating length 351 is connected to the flexible element connector 360 by drawing the tag end of the first terminating length 351 upwards from the bottom 368 of the connector 360 through the first connector port 361, looping it over and, while leaving a first loop 353 extending from the top of the first connector port 361, drawing the tag end of the first terminating length 351 back down from the top 367 of the connector 360 through the first connector port 361 and out the bottom 368. The tag end of the first terminating length 351 is then brought around from the bottom 368 of the flexible element connector 360 and pushed through the first loop 353. When the first terminating length 351 is drawn tight, this arrangement causes the first terminating length 351 to be fixably attached to the flexible element connector 360 while remaining easily removed, adjusted and reattached. Furthermore, the flexible, funicular element 250 can be provided to a consumer in an extra long length so that it fits almost all of the toilet designs. The consumer simply trims any excess once the device is installed in the toilet.
The second terminating length 352 is connected to the flexible element connector 360 by drawing the tag end of the second terminating length 352 upwards from the bottom 368 of the connector 360 through the second connector port 362, looping it over and, while leaving a second loop 354 extending from the top of the second connector port 362, drawing the tag end of the second terminating length 352 back down from the top 367 of the connector 360 through the second connector port 362 and out the bottom 368. The tag end of the second terminating length 352 is then brought around from the bottom 368 of the flexible element connector 360 and pushed through the second loop 354. When the second terminating length 352 is drawn tight, this arrangement causes the second terminating length 352 to be fixably attached to the flexible element connector 360 while remaining easily removed, adjusted and reattached.
In other embodiments, the first and second terminating lengths 351 and 352 of the funicular element 250 can be knotted or otherwise removably attached to the flexible element connector in a manner that differs from that disclosed in
In one embodiment, the flexible, funicular element 250 can be monofilament line. Other flexible elements such as thin walled tubing, braided line, etc. can be used in other embodiments. Regardless of material used, the flexible, funicular element 250 should have a small enough diameter to allow for sufficient flexibility and yet large enough to provide some strength/stiffness. In one embodiment, the diameter of monofilament line that is used is between approximately 0.015 inches to 0.035 inches, but other diameters are contemplated.
Similarly, the flexible element connector 360 can be fabricated from plastic in one embodiment. In other embodiments, other materials such as steel, aluminum, wood, etc. are also suitable and can be utilized as long as they are (or can be made) somewhat resistant to water degradation. In the embodiment shown in
The first and second connector ports 361 and 362 extend through the flexible element connector 360 and have diameters approximately equal to twice the diameter of the flexible, funicular element 250 to allow for loop 353 or 354 to be placed in each port 361 and 362 as shown in
The first terminating length 451 is connected to the flexible element connector 460 by drawing the tag end of the first terminating length 451 upwards from the bottom 468 of the connector 460 through the first connector port 461, looping it over and, while leaving a first loop 453 extending from the top of the first connector port 461, drawing the tag end of the first terminating length 451 back down from the top 467 of the connector 460 through the first connector port 461 and out the bottom 468. The tag end of the first terminating length 451 is then brought around from the bottom 468 of the flexible element connector 460 and pushed through the first loop 453. When the first terminating length 451 is drawn tight, this arrangement causes the first terminating length 451 to be fixably attached to the flexible element connector 460 while remaining easily removed, adjusted and reattached.
The second terminating length 452 is connected to the flexible element connector 460 by drawing the tag end of the second terminating length 452 upwards from the bottom 468 of the connector 460 through the second connector port 462, looping it over and, while leaving a second loop 454 extending from the top of the second connector port 462, drawing the tag end of the second terminating length 452 back down from the top 467 of the connector 460 through the second connector port 462 and out the bottom 468. The tag end of the second terminating length 452 is then brought around from the bottom 468 of the flexible element connector 460 and pushed through the second loop 454. When the second terminating length 452 is drawn tight, this arrangement causes the second terminating length 452 to be fixably attached to the flexible element connector 460 while remaining easily removed, adjusted and reattached. Note that when installing the device 410 in a toilet, enough slack should be left in the flexible, funicular element 450 so that the trip rod can be moved somewhat without lifting the flapper valve. However, the user must avoid leaving too much slack or activation of the flush handle will not open the flapper valve completely.
Also extending from the valve assembly 528 is a refill line 534 that refills the toilet bowl after a flush. The refill line 534 runs into the overflow tube 532 which is in fluid communication with the tank drain apparatus 536. The drain apparatus 536 is positioned in the tank outlet 516 and is in fluid communication with the toilet bowl line 517 which is attached to the toilet bowl and provides the path for water from the tank 512 to enter the bowl during a flush cycle. The flapper valve 540 seals against the drain apparatus 536 using the flapper valve seal 538. When sealed, water from the tank 512 can not enter the drain apparatus 536. The flapper valve 540 is connected to the drain apparatus 536 via a hinge 549.
The flush handle 542 is rotatably mounted on the outside of the toilet tank 512 such that it can be actuated by a user in order to flush the toilet. Inside the tank 512, the handle 542 is affixed to the trip rod 544. The trip rod 544 is connected to the flapper valve 540 by the toilet flush valve connecting device 510. The connecting device 510 comprises a flexible, funicular element 550 and a flexible element connector 560. The flexible, funicular element 550 is attached to the trip rod 544 at one of the plurality of trip rod connecting points 545. In the embodiment illustrated in
In the embodiment illustrated in
When the user presses down on the end of the flush handle 542, the handle 542 rotates, thereby lifting the trip rod 544 inside the tank 512. When the rod 544 lifts, it pulls up on the toilet flush valve connecting device 510, causing the connecting device 510 to raise the flapper valve 540 and separating the flapper valve seal 538. The flapper valve 540 hinges upward on the flapper valve hinge 549 and creates an opening into the drain apparatus 536. Water inside the toilet tank 512 then rushes into the drain apparatus 536, flows through the toilet bowl line 517 and into the toilet bowl. The user can release the flush handle 542 and the flapper valve 540 will remain open until substantially all of the water in the tank 512 has exited into the bowl. The flapper valve 540 then closes because the water is no longer there to buoy it up and gravity brings it down to the closed position.
When the water is evacuated from the tank 512, the float 530 moves downwards as the water is no longer there to hold the float 530 up. With the float 530 in a down position, the valve assembly 528 is opened and incoming water flows into the tank 512 via the downspout 531 and also into the toilet bowl via the toilet bowl refill line 534. As water fills the tank 512, it presses up on the float 530 until the float reaches its raised position. When the float 530 is in the raised position, it causes the valve assembly 528 to be closed and water stops flowing into the tank 512 and toilet bowl. The toilet tank 512 is now full of water and the toilet is ready for the next flushing cycle.
Unlike the prior art shown in
In another embodiment, one end of the flexible, funicular element 550 is permanently affixed to the flexible element connector 560. The funicular element 550 can then be threaded through the attachment hole 548 in the flapper valve, up and through one of the plurality of trip rod connecting points 545 and then be fixably attached to the flexible element connector 560 utilizing the port/loop/tag end means as described in
The advantages of the toilet flush valve connecting device should be immediately apparent: (a) the use of a flexible, non-segmented element to actuate the flapper valve reduces the incidence of run-on tremendously; (b) manufacturing costs of the disclosed device are extremely low; (c) installation is simple and can be accomplished by an average person; (d) no plumber or plumbing professional is required; (e) the only tool needed for installation is a pair of diagonal cutters to disassemble the prior art chain portion; and (f) the invention lends itself to OEM.
While particular embodiments of the invention have been described and disclosed in the present application, it should be understood that any number of permutations, modifications, or embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. Accordingly, it is not the intention of this application to limit this invention in any way except as by the appended claims.
Particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the invention with which that terminology is associated. In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be construed to limit the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification, unless the above Detailed Description section explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope of the invention encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the invention.
The above detailed description of the embodiments of the invention is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise embodiment or form disclosed herein or to the particular field of usage mentioned in this disclosure. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. Also, the teachings of the invention provided herein can be applied to other systems, not necessarily the system described above. The elements and acts of the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments.
In light of the above “Detailed Description,” the Inventor may make changes to the invention. While the detailed description outlines possible embodiments of the invention and discloses the best mode contemplated, no matter how detailed the above appears in text, the invention may be practiced in a myriad of ways. Thus, implementation details may vary considerably while still being encompassed by the spirit of the invention as disclosed by the inventor. As discussed herein, specific terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the invention with which that terminology is associated.
While certain aspects of the invention are presented below in certain claim forms, the inventor contemplates the various aspects of the invention in any number of claim forms. Accordingly, the inventor reserves the right to add additional claims after filing the application to pursue such additional claim forms for other aspects of the invention.
The above specification, examples and data provide a description of the structure and use of exemplary implementations of the described articles of manufacture and methods. It is important to note that many implementations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
