Patent Application
20170350439
A locking nut and rod system, that when incorporated with a toilet flushing apparatus, prevents the toilet flushing apparatus from becoming unsecure (loose) from its' intended, functional position(s).
A problem with the successful operation of the toilet flushing procedure exists when a nut designed to securely affix the flushing mechanism (inclusive of the handle) to a toilet (tank wall) becomes unsecure, misaligning the flushing apparatus from its' intended, functional, and designed position. This condition is addressed by inserting a rod (end of rod) in to the securing nut by means of rod receiving holes in the nut, after the nut is threaded on and tightened to the toilet tank wall and flushing mechanism. The rod is rigid. The rod's opposite end (or body) of said rod is positioned against (or in close proximity) to the flushing mechanism's lifting arm. As the rod and securing nut system are now connected, if the securing nut is to loosen, contact between the rod and lifting arm is made, and resistance is created between the lifting arm and rod. This contact and subsequent resistance created, transfers to the nut and prevents the nut (connected to the rod) from rotating less than 360 degrees. The securing nut contains multiple rod receiving holes allowing for adjustment to further limit rotational nut movement to less than 360 degrees. The securing nut and rod system reduces and/or eliminates rotational movement (loosening) of the securing nut, whereby, maintaining the flushing mechanism's intended and functional position.
The toilet flush locking nut system is created when the following components are assembled and positioned as illustrated.
A threaded nut (by multiple designs, but, not exclusively) that contains multiple rod receiving holes. The rod receiving holes are exterior to the center threaded hole, interior to the nut's outer edges. All rod receiving holes are contained in the body of the nut. The nut may be constructed in varying material compositions, various thread patterns, varying outer shapes, various heights, and various width sizes.
A rod (by multiple designs) that can utilize varying diameters, varying lengths, varying material compositions, various diameter shapes, and is rigid in nature. Varying rod configurations exist—as varying receiving hole configurations exist, yet, are consistent with their ability to affix to the locking nut (
Locking Rod (
The toilet flush apparatus locking nut system contains two components. The two components are; a threaded nut with multiple receiving holes and a rod. The nut displays the unique and distinct characteristics of being able to securely affix a rod to itself by the means of these receiving holes. When assembled, the rod is positioned in proximity to the flushing apparatus's lifting arm. When contact is made between the lifting arm and the rod affixed to the securing nut, resistance is created between the lifting arm and rod. As the rod and nut are connected, this resistance is transferred to the securing nut preventing rotational movement (loosening) of the nut to less than 360 degrees. The multiple rod receiving holes within the body of the nut allow multiple rod adjustment positions in relation to the lifting arm to further reduce rotational movement of the nut to less than 360 degrees.
The nut may be configured in various sizes and dimensions as to accommodate various flushing mechanism designs and orientations. Variations of the nut include (but, not limited to); material of the nut, thread size, thread direction, internal nut dimension, outer nut dimension, outer nut shape, and nut height.
The rod affixed in the (a) receiving hole of the nut is rigid in nature and may be constructed from various materials. These materials are (but, not limited to) plastic, steel, aluminum, or polypropylene. The length of the rod may vary—as to accommodate various flushing mechanism designs. The diameter of the rod may vary—as various rod materials rigidity characteristics exists. The consistent characteristic of the rod is its' ability to maintain resistance against the toilet flushing mechanism's lifting arm when contacted, whereby, preventing the connected nut from rotating. The connecting method of the rod and nut may vary. The connection method of the rod and nut are (but, not limited to) a threaded rod inserted and threaded in to a threaded receiving hole in the nut, a compression relationship, or adhesion. The aforementioned variations of the nut and rod connecting methods are necessary to accommodate various flushing mechanism designs and orientations. It should be emphasized that the above embodiments of the present disclosure are merely possible examples of implementations set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the disclosure. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above described embodiment(s) without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the resulting claims.
New and existing toilets employ a mechanical, manually activated flushing lever. Said flushing lever apparatus consists of (but, not limited to) an external flush handle, a threaded sleeve connected to the flush handle, a lifting arm attached solidly or directly connected to the flush handle on one end, a chain connected to the opposite-end of the lifting arm, and an independent securing nut (received by said threaded sleeve).
The lifting arm of the mechanism and the threaded sleeve are inserted through a hole in the wall of the toilet (water reservoir) tank to a stopping point whereby, the flushing handle remains external to the body of the toilet tank. The threaded sleeve receives a nut to secure said flushing apparatus to the toilet tank wall (reservoir tank). When activated, the flush handle and lifting arm move in unison, while the securing nut remains stationary.
Assembled, the securing nut maintains its' stationary position, whereby, securing all other components in their designed position of said flushing apparatus. It is essential that the flushing apparatus remains in its' designed and assigned location during the flushing procedure for this mechanism to function properly and efficiently. Other measured parts (included, but not exclusively) such as the flapper that is connected to the lever arm by chain, rely on the secured flushing apparatus's position to properly seal the reservoir tank for the toilets next flush cycle. The securing nut's position of the flushing apparatus is maintained by the pressure created between the threads of the bolt connected to the flush handle and the threads of the nut, whereby, when securely tightened against the reservoir interior tank wall—remains stationary
When activated, the flush handle rotates in one direction (usually, but not exclusively) downward, as to cause the connected or continuous connected lifting arm to raise. As the lifting arm raises, a connecting mechanism (usually, but not exclusively, a chain) attached to a flapper, raises to release water through an opening- and in to the toilet bowl. The flush handle then rotates in reverse (usually, but not exclusively) upward to its' original position, allowing the lever arm to lower, allowing the flapper to lower, and re-seal the opening. This permits water to refill the securely sealed reservoir tank to the desired level—making the toilet ready for its' next cycle of use.
Failure and inefficiency in the toilet flushing and reservoir re-filling process occurs when the flushing apparatus's components are misaligned, become unsecured, and deviate from their intended position(s). Relating to the flushing apparatus, this failure occurs due to a loosening of the flushing apparatus's securing nut not remaining stationary (tightly secured).
Continually maintaining the position of this securing nut through use of the flushing lever mechanism, permits proper flushing functionality. When the securing nut unduly deviates from its' intended (tight) position (and becomes loose), consequently, all connected components—the flush handle, threaded sleeve, and lever arm also deviate from their intended, functionally necessary positions. As a result of these deviations, compromised success of the aforementioned complete flushing process occurs.
A compromised or failure of the flushing procedure can cause (but, is not limited to) the toilet flapper connected to the lifting arm, to not lower, close properly, or close entirely. The resulting effect (but, not limited to); the condition of the toilet reservoir tank not reaching (or delaying) the desired water level, failing to shut-off, and complete the reservoir tank refilling process (tank continues to “run”).
As a result of the internal securing nut becoming excessively loose allowing the flushing apparatus to deviate from its' intended position, the flushing handle's (external to the reservoir tank) rotational movement can be hindered from its' designed travel path (but, not limited to), effecting operational success. A loose or unsecure toilet nut can also create unintended or unwanted mechanical noise (“jiggling” sound).
In an attempt to remedy the existing loosening condition, the nut designed to secure the flushing apparatus is commonly “over-tightened.” This over-tightening can result in a binding effect of the flushing apparatus. This restriction creates a failure or hindrance of proper and successful lever and handle movement, and internal component travel necessary for successful completion of the flushing procedure.
During use, generally accepted conditions arise (such as; but, not limited to); corrosion between the threaded sleeve and securing nut that permits the securing nut to incorrectly move in rotational unison with the flush handle and threaded component of the flushing apparatus. When the tension/pressure between the nut and toilet tank wall have been released, subsequent rotational handle flushing motions can further continue the securing nut's movement in the opposite direction of the tightened direction.
Employing the locking nut and rod system minimizes the rotational travel of the toilet flushing apparatus's securing nut to less than 360 degrees. By eliminating or reducing the rotational travel of the securing nut to less than 360 degrees, prevents the toilet flushing apparatus from becoming unduly loose, unsecured, or misaligned.
