Information
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Patent Grant
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6397404
-
Patent Number
6,397,404
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Date Filed
Friday, December 1, 200023 years ago
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Date Issued
Tuesday, June 4, 200222 years ago
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Inventors
-
-
Examiners
- Buiz; Michael Powell
- Nguyen; Tuan
Agents
- Sanchelina; J.
- Bordas; A.
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CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 004 390
- 004 391
- 004 395
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International Classifications
-
Abstract
A toilet flushing system primarily having an actuating assembly, guide housing, funnel assembly and flexible hose. Designed to minimize water utilization, the water inlet is located above the water line in a natural state. With the ability to select the desired amount of water for flushing, the actuating assembly is pushed vertically downward within the guide housing to overcome the upward buoyancy force surrounding the funnel assembly. The flushing cycle may be interrupted by vertically pulling the actuating assembly with sufficient force to overcome the water pressure established over the funnel assembly.
Description
II. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to discharging liquids from containers, and more particularly, to a toilet flushing mechanism.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conservation of water is a universal concern. Many designs for toilet systems have been designed in the past. The majority of them however, include complex mechanisms interconnected by various links and pivoting hinges, designed to flush water out of toilet tanks. With these complex systems, the prior art has shown inefficiencies by the way of utilization of more water than is necessary to flush matter into a sewage system. Additionally, build up of foreign matter on a tank ball or valve seat contributes to seepage and ultimately wasting of water that otherwise may have been utilized for its intended purpose. Other contributions to water waste include valve deformation, improper valve alignment and deterioration. Water seepage, especially due to valve and hose defects, is common because such parts operate submerged in the tank under constant water pressure from above.
There are no similar toilet flushing mechanisms to the best of applicant's knowledge, that incorporate a funnel system with a flotation device, serving as the water inlet for flushing purposes, which is located above the water line in a natural state.
III. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is one of the main objects of the present invention to provide a simple and efficient system to flush water from a toilet tank.
It is another object of this invention to provide a toilet flushing system that may be incorporated into existing toilets without major modifications.
It is another object of this invention to provide a toilet flushing system that conserves water by controlling the amount to be flushed.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a toilet flushing system that minimizes seepage where the water intake for flushing is above the water line at the natural state.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide such a device that is inexpensive to manufacture and maintain while retaining its effectiveness.
Further objects of the invention will be brought out in the following part of the specification, wherein detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing the invention without placing limitations thereon.
IV. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
With the above and other related objects in view, the invention consists in the details of construction and combination of parts as will be more fully understood from the following description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1
represents an isometric view of the present invention.
FIG. 2
shows a perspective view of the present invention with a cut-out of a toilet.
FIG. 3
illustrates an exploded view of the actuating assembly and guide housing.
FIG. 4
a
illustrates an elevational view of the present invention at the initial stage before flushing.
FIG. 4
b
illustrates an elevational view of the present invention while flushing as water enters the funnel assembly.
FIG. 4
c
illustrates an elevational view of the present invention at the position after completely flushing, with the flexible hose compressed.
FIG. 4
d
illustrates an elevational view of the present invention after flushing when the buoyancy force from the float has overcome the pressure from the water.
FIG. 4
e
illustrates an elevational view of the present invention when the water source continues to flow after its predetermined amount.
FIG. 5
is a perspective view of the present invention in an alternate embodiment.
FIG. 6
is a perspective view of a flush control gauge in an alternate embodiment.
V. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to the drawings, where the present invention is generally referred to with numeral
10
, it can be observed that it basically includes actuating assembly
20
, guide housing
40
, funnel assembly
50
, and flexible hose assembly
70
.
As seen in
FIG. 1
, actuating assembly
20
has handle
22
fixedly secured at one end of tubular member
24
. Handle
22
is manipulated by a user to actuate and control instant invention
10
. Tubular member
24
slidably journals within guide housing
40
for stabilization. Guide housing
40
snugly fits a through-hole of toilet lid
102
. Flanged lip
42
of guide housing
40
is of sufficient area to keep guide housing
40
from falling within the through-hole of toilet lid
102
. Opposite from handle
22
of actuating assembly
20
is bead
30
mounted thereon. Actuating assembly
20
is manufactured from a durable water-proof material such as plastic, or a material of similar characteristics.
Removably secured to actuating assembly
20
is funnel assembly
50
. Funnel assembly
50
has exterior funnel
56
and interior funnel
60
. Exterior funnel
56
has connectors
52
extending from the inside diameter towards the center. Ring
54
is formed at the center and is of cooperative dimensions to receive tubular member
24
. Ring
54
abuts bead
30
, and removable retainer
32
secures funnel assembly onto actuating assembly
20
. Fastenly secured by connectors
58
, interior funnel
60
is located at a predetermined distance from exterior funnel
56
. Secured to the exterior surface of exterior funnel
56
is float
62
. The inside surface of float
62
is of a cooperative shape to snugly secure to the exterior surface of exterior funnel
56
. Exterior funnel
56
further has flanged lip
64
. Flanged lip
64
extends from exterior funnel
56
to have flexible hose
76
snugly fit over. Clamp
66
secures flexible hose
76
to funnel assembly
50
. Spacer rings
72
snugly fit within ridged sections in order to stabilize and erect flexible hose
76
. Additionally, in the preferred embodiment, flexible hose
76
is fastenly secured to base wall
102
′ of toilet
100
, by clamp
74
. Toilet
100
has out-take pipe
108
. Flanged lip
104
helps secure flexible hose
76
. Additionally, retainer
106
keeps out-take pipe
108
stationary.
As seen in
FIG. 2
, instant invention
10
may be installed in standard toilets with minor modifications. Toilet lid
102
of toilet
100
has a hole to allow for actuating assembly
20
to trespass therethough. As a flushing system, instant invention
10
is designed to rid water from any container, or tank
114
in the preferred embodiment. Toilet
100
, as a standard toilet, has an independent water source WS, seen in FIG.
4
a and valve system, not shown, to control water level WL.
Seen in
FIG. 3
is actuating assembly
20
and guide housing
40
. Guide housing
40
has flanged lip
42
mounted perpendicularly over cylindrical member
44
. Marked on flanged lip
42
are flush guides
46
′ and
48
′. Flush guide
46
′ represents an approximate half tank water flush whereas flush guide
48
′ represents a full tank water flush. To control the desired flush, the user rotates handle
22
, so that indicator
21
points generally towards flush guide
46
′ or
48
′. Mounted on tubular member
24
are vertical strip members
26
, which have steps
26
′. Vertical strip members
26
, and their respective steps
26
′ have cooperative dimensions with grooves
46
and
48
. For an approximate half tank flush, indicator
21
generally points towards flush guide
46
′, and vertical strip members
26
and steps
26
′ align with grooves
46
. In this position, steps
26
′ have cooperative dimensions to slidably journal within grooves
46
, however, vertical strip members
26
do not. Thus only approximately half of tubular member
24
travels vertically downward, creating an approximated half flush. For a full tank flush, indicator
21
generally points towards flush guide
48
′, and vertical strip members
26
with steps
26
′ align with grooves
48
and slidably journal within guide housing
40
. Once a desired flush is selected, the user pushes handle
22
vertically downward to initiate the flushing system.
As seen in
FIG. 4
a,
instant invention
10
is in a stationary position, before the flushing cycle has begun. Water level WL is at the maximum level as controlled by the shut off valve of the toilet, not seen. At this position, flexible hose
76
is extended due to the buoyancy of float
62
attached to funnel assembly
50
. At this position, water level WL is below the top rim of funnel assembly
50
so as to prevent water from escaping. Additionally, retainer
38
keeps guide housing
40
stationary upon toilet lid
102
.
As seen in
FIG. 4
b,
the flushing cycle has begun. The user has pushed handle
22
vertically downward with sufficient force to overcome the upward buoyancy force of float
62
. With the vertically downward force from the user, the top rim of funnel assembly
50
plunges downward and below water level WL. At this moment, due to the water pressure contained within tank
114
, seen in
FIG. 2
, water immediately enters exterior funnel
56
, interior funnel
60
, seen in
FIG. 1
, and the space established between them. Water travels through funnel assembly
50
, flexible hose
76
, and finally exiting through out-take pipe
108
. While flushing, the water pressure established over the top rim of funnel assembly
50
causes flexible hose
76
to vertically collapse as water flows through. During the initial stage of the flushing cycle, as depicted in this figure, the user may interrupt the flush simply by pulling handle
22
of actuating assembly
20
vertically upward with sufficient force to overcome the water pressure in tank
114
, seen in
FIG. 2
, escaping through funnel assembly
50
.
As seen in
FIG. 4
c,
all the available water in tank
114
, seen in
FIG. 2
, for flushing has escape through funnel assembly
50
and flexible hose
76
is still compressed.
As seen in
FIG. 4
d,
the upward buoyancy force of float
62
has overcome the water pressure force within tank
114
, seen in FIG.
2
. At this position, the water replenishment stage begins from toilet water source WS for a subsequent flush. Upward buoyancy force of float
62
keeps funnel assembly
50
above water level WL. As water enters tank
114
, seen in
FIG. 2
, from water source WS, flexible hose
76
expands until reattaining the position shown in
FIG. 4
a,
thus completing the flushing cycle.
In the event that independent water supply WS or a valve mechanism, not seen, malfunctions, water may continue to enter tank
114
, seen in FIG.
2
. Seen in
FIG. 4
e,
flexible hose
76
is fully extended due to the upward buoyancy force of float
62
. Water eventually reaches the top rim of funnel assembly
50
and escapes through. However, so long as funnel assembly
50
is not plunged into tank
114
, seen in
FIG. 2
, water will only seep into funnel assembly
50
and will not activate actuating assembly
20
.
Shown in
FIG. 5
is an alternate embodiment of instant invention
10
. Actuating assembly
110
primarily has lever
116
, links
120
, and arm
130
. Lever
116
has handle
112
fixedly secured. Similarly to handle
22
, handle
112
is manipulated by a user to actuate and control instant invention
10
. Lever
116
is removably secured to links
120
and stationary links
122
with pins
118
. Arm
130
connects to tubular member
24
′, links
120
, and stationary link
124
with pins
118
. Stationary links
122
and
124
are fastenly secured to an inside wall of tank
114
, seen in FIG.
2
. At a predetermined angle, arm
130
has connectors
132
extending therefrom. Connectors
132
secure float
134
. Funnel assembly
50
has exterior funnel
56
and interior funnel
60
. Exterior funnel
56
has connectors
52
extending from the inside diameter towards the center. Ring
54
is formed at the center and is of cooperative dimensions to receive tubular member
24
′. Ring
54
abuts bead
30
, and removable retainer
32
secures funnel assembly onto tubular member
24
′. Secured to the exterior surface of exterior funnel
56
is float
62
. The inside surface of float
62
is of a cooperative shape to snugly secure to the exterior surface of exterior funnel
56
.
To operate instant invention
10
in this alternate embodiment, the user actuates handle
112
, thereby engaging links
120
, arm
130
, and ultimately funnel assembly
50
. As in the preferred embodiment, with manipulation of handle
112
, the flush may be interrupted.
Seen in
FIG. 6
is a flush guide
140
in an alternate embodiment. Flush guide
140
, when installed to complement the alternate embodiment shown in
FIG. 5
, is utilized to determine the amount of water to be used for flushing. Slide member
144
generally travels in a horizontal direction, riding upon track
146
which is securely fastened to an exterior wall of tank
114
. Indicators
142
,
142
′, and
142
″ serve as visual representations of the flush amount selection that corresponds to the surface upon slide member
144
. After making the desired selection for flushing, handle
112
is pushed in the direction of slide member
144
until making contact with the corresponding surface, thus determining the amount of water to flush.
The foregoing description conveys the best understanding of the objectives and advantages of the present invention. Different embodiments may be made of the inventive concept of this invention. It is to be understood that all matter disclosed herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.
Claims
- 1. A flushing mechanism for a container assembly, comprising.A) an actuating assembly having a shaft with first and second ends, said first end having a handle and said second end including retaining means, said actuating assembly further includes an annular bead on said shaft at a first predetermined distance from said first end towards said second end without reaching said second end, and a guide housing receiving said shaft therethrough; B) a funnel assembly with third and fourth ends, said funnel assembly having at least one exterior and one interior funnels whereas said third end secures against said annular bead and is held by said retaining means on said second end, and said fourth end includes a flange rigidly mounted thereon, said exterior funnel having a tubular vertical wall above said interior funnel includes a float axially mounted thereon, causing said funnel assembly to remain buoyant; C) a flexible hose assembly with fifth and sixth ends, said fifth end having cooperative dimensions to secure to said fourth end and said sixth end having cooperative dimensions to secure to an out-take pipe of said container; and D) wherein a user exerting a downwardly force on said actuating assembly to overcome the generally upward buoyancy force of said float and to flush fluid through said funnel assembly, wherein said actuating assembly may be interrupted by a user when desired.
- 2. The flushing mechanism for a container assembly set forth in claim 1, wherein said shaft has vertical strips mounted thereon.
- 3. The flushing mechanism for a container assembly set forth in claim 2, wherein said guide housing has first and second grooves.
- 4. The flushing mechanism for a container assembly set forth in claim 3, wherein said handle has adjustment means to establish the amount of fluid to be utilized whereas said adjustment means includes:E) said vertical strips selectively brought in alignment with said first groove thereby restricting the travel of said shaft and in alignment with said second groove having unobstructed travel that permits the full flush operation of said container.
- 5. The flushing mechanism for a container assembly set forth in claim 4, wherein said container is a toilet tank.
US Referenced Citations (3)
Number |
Name |
Date |
Kind |
386918 |
Demarest |
Jul 1888 |
A |
3280407 |
Aaron |
Oct 1966 |
A |
6199221 |
Stahlhut |
Mar 2001 |
B1 |