CA2230268A1 - Siphon for tank type toilet - Google Patents
Siphon for tank type toilet Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2230268A1 CA2230268A1 CA 2230268 CA2230268A CA2230268A1 CA 2230268 A1 CA2230268 A1 CA 2230268A1 CA 2230268 CA2230268 CA 2230268 CA 2230268 A CA2230268 A CA 2230268A CA 2230268 A1 CA2230268 A1 CA 2230268A1
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- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- siphon
- flush
- opening
- flushing
- toilet
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
- E03D—WATER-CLOSETS OR URINALS WITH FLUSHING DEVICES; FLUSHING VALVES THEREFOR
- E03D1/00—Water flushing devices with cisterns ; Setting up a range of flushing devices or water-closets; Combinations of several flushing devices
- E03D1/02—High-level flushing systems
- E03D1/06—Cisterns with tube siphons
- E03D1/08—Siphon action initiated by air or water pressure
- E03D1/082—Siphon action initiated by air or water pressure in tube siphons
- E03D1/087—Siphon action initiated by air or water pressure in tube siphons by pump, valve, or the like, in the short leg of the siphon or a vacuum pump in the long leg of the siphon
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
- E03D—WATER-CLOSETS OR URINALS WITH FLUSHING DEVICES; FLUSHING VALVES THEREFOR
- E03D1/00—Water flushing devices with cisterns ; Setting up a range of flushing devices or water-closets; Combinations of several flushing devices
- E03D1/02—High-level flushing systems
- E03D1/14—Cisterns discharging variable quantities of water also cisterns with bell siphons in combination with flushing valves
- E03D1/141—Cisterns discharging variable quantities of water also cisterns with bell siphons in combination with flushing valves in cisterns with tube siphons and with tube siphons in combination with flushing valves
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- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
- Sanitary Device For Flush Toilet (AREA)
Abstract
A siphon for use with a flush type toilet having a tank with a drain hole at the bottom. The siphon comprises a vertical tubular discharge portion including a vertical tube which is secured within the drain hole in the bottom of the tank. The siphon also includes a bell shaped inlet portion including a connecting portion having a downwardly extending tubular portion for telescopic insertion into the vertical tube. A hole is defined in the bell shaped inlet portion and an elbow is secured within the hole and extends downwardly, terminating at a height selected to define the desired flush height of the toilet. The flush volume can be automatically set to either a normal or low volume flush with a control that includes a sensor that senses the presence of a user at the toilet.
Description
SPECIFICATION
SIPHON FOR TANK TYPE TOILET
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a tank type t:oilet and more particularly to a siphon system for controlling the flush volume of a tank type toilet.
A conventional siphon has a bell shaped inlet portion on one side, a vertical tubular discharge portion on the other side, and a connecting portion connecting the top of these portions. The bottom outlet of the vertical tubular discharge portion is sealingly connected to the discharge opening of the t:oilet tank. In the ready condition, water fills the bell shaped inlet portion up to the water line of the t:ank, which is about 1/2" below the overflow height.
A plunger extends through the top of the bell shaped inlet portion and is connected to an inlet grid. The inlet grid conforms to the shape of the bell shaped inlet portion so that it can be lifted into the bell shaped inlet portion when the flush handle is operated (a "C" link connects the flush handle to the top of the plunger). A compression spring is located on the plunger between the top of the bell shaped inlet portion and the inlet grid to k:eep the grid at the bottom of the bell shaped inlet portion except when the flush handle is operated.
',ecured centrally to the top of the grid around the plunger is a flexible plastic cover the shape of the qrid. When the flush handle is operated, the plastic covered grid is elevated pushing water out of the bell shaped inlet portion into the vertical outlet portion to establish the siphon which pulls water from the tank, past the flexible plastic cover, which folds out of the way, until the water level of the tank either reaches the bottom of the bell shaped portion or reaches a hole defined in the side of the bell shaped inlet portion. Such conventional siphons accordingly have a single fixed flush volume.
OBJECT OF THE lNv~NllON
To conserve water, conventional gravity drain t.oilets have been modified so that the flush can be selected to have either the normal flush volume (1.6 gallons) or a reduced flush volume.
It is accordingly an object of the present i.nvention to provide an improved siphon operated t.oilet which can be selectively flushed with either t.he normal flush volume or with a reduced flush volume.
Other objects and advantages of the present i.nvention will become apparent from the following specification and the accompanying drawings which i.llustrate in accordance with the mandate of the patent statutes a presently preferred embodiment of t.he present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is an elevational view of a portion of a flush type toilet made in accordance with the t.eachings of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a view taken at 2-2 of figure 1; and Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the elbow;
Figure 4 is a front view of a two piece flush handle;
Figure 5 is an elevational view of a first flush handle assembly;
Figure 6 is an elevational view illustrating the i.nterconnection of the flush arm and the elbow;
Figure 7 is a side elevational view of a second flush handle assembly; and Figure 8 is a logic diagram showing the control ,algorithm for the second flush handle assembly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The siphon 10 has a plastic vertical tubular discharge portion 12 which extends upwardly beyond the water level and flares slightly, downwardly and an inlet portion including a plastic bell shaped portion 14 and an integral connecting portion 16 which extends upwardly beyond the water line and then downwardly telescopically into the vertical tubular discharge portion (a seal therebetween may be established by an "O" ring 17 and the connecting portion can be key locked, like the inlet leg of a ]~unter fill valve). As shown in figure 1, the water line is located about 112" below the overflow height.
The vertical discharge tubular portion may have a height of from about 7 1/2" to 11 1/2" and will be cut to locate the top above the water line. The bottom outlet of the vertical tubular discharge portion has a flange 20 at the top of a threaded end :22 so that it can be sealingly connected to the discharge opening 24 of the bottom 26 of the toilet l_ank 19 by tightening a suitable nut 30.
The bell shaped portion 14 has a horizontal :intake opening 31 and in the ready condition, water :Eills the inlet portion up to the water line of the l_ank. A plastic plunger 32 extends through a horizontal platform 33 defined on the top wall 34 of lhe bell shaped portion and through a suitable hole :35 in a plastic inlet grid 36. The bottom of the plunger ends with a stop 37. The inlet grid matches lhe shape (internal configuration) of the bell shaped portion so that it can be vertically lifted into the bell shaped portion when a flush handle is operated (a "C" link 38 connects the top of the plunger to the .--lush arm 84 of the flush handle assembly). A
SIPHON FOR TANK TYPE TOILET
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a tank type t:oilet and more particularly to a siphon system for controlling the flush volume of a tank type toilet.
A conventional siphon has a bell shaped inlet portion on one side, a vertical tubular discharge portion on the other side, and a connecting portion connecting the top of these portions. The bottom outlet of the vertical tubular discharge portion is sealingly connected to the discharge opening of the t:oilet tank. In the ready condition, water fills the bell shaped inlet portion up to the water line of the t:ank, which is about 1/2" below the overflow height.
A plunger extends through the top of the bell shaped inlet portion and is connected to an inlet grid. The inlet grid conforms to the shape of the bell shaped inlet portion so that it can be lifted into the bell shaped inlet portion when the flush handle is operated (a "C" link connects the flush handle to the top of the plunger). A compression spring is located on the plunger between the top of the bell shaped inlet portion and the inlet grid to k:eep the grid at the bottom of the bell shaped inlet portion except when the flush handle is operated.
',ecured centrally to the top of the grid around the plunger is a flexible plastic cover the shape of the qrid. When the flush handle is operated, the plastic covered grid is elevated pushing water out of the bell shaped inlet portion into the vertical outlet portion to establish the siphon which pulls water from the tank, past the flexible plastic cover, which folds out of the way, until the water level of the tank either reaches the bottom of the bell shaped portion or reaches a hole defined in the side of the bell shaped inlet portion. Such conventional siphons accordingly have a single fixed flush volume.
OBJECT OF THE lNv~NllON
To conserve water, conventional gravity drain t.oilets have been modified so that the flush can be selected to have either the normal flush volume (1.6 gallons) or a reduced flush volume.
It is accordingly an object of the present i.nvention to provide an improved siphon operated t.oilet which can be selectively flushed with either t.he normal flush volume or with a reduced flush volume.
Other objects and advantages of the present i.nvention will become apparent from the following specification and the accompanying drawings which i.llustrate in accordance with the mandate of the patent statutes a presently preferred embodiment of t.he present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is an elevational view of a portion of a flush type toilet made in accordance with the t.eachings of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a view taken at 2-2 of figure 1; and Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the elbow;
Figure 4 is a front view of a two piece flush handle;
Figure 5 is an elevational view of a first flush handle assembly;
Figure 6 is an elevational view illustrating the i.nterconnection of the flush arm and the elbow;
Figure 7 is a side elevational view of a second flush handle assembly; and Figure 8 is a logic diagram showing the control ,algorithm for the second flush handle assembly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The siphon 10 has a plastic vertical tubular discharge portion 12 which extends upwardly beyond the water level and flares slightly, downwardly and an inlet portion including a plastic bell shaped portion 14 and an integral connecting portion 16 which extends upwardly beyond the water line and then downwardly telescopically into the vertical tubular discharge portion (a seal therebetween may be established by an "O" ring 17 and the connecting portion can be key locked, like the inlet leg of a ]~unter fill valve). As shown in figure 1, the water line is located about 112" below the overflow height.
The vertical discharge tubular portion may have a height of from about 7 1/2" to 11 1/2" and will be cut to locate the top above the water line. The bottom outlet of the vertical tubular discharge portion has a flange 20 at the top of a threaded end :22 so that it can be sealingly connected to the discharge opening 24 of the bottom 26 of the toilet l_ank 19 by tightening a suitable nut 30.
The bell shaped portion 14 has a horizontal :intake opening 31 and in the ready condition, water :Eills the inlet portion up to the water line of the l_ank. A plastic plunger 32 extends through a horizontal platform 33 defined on the top wall 34 of lhe bell shaped portion and through a suitable hole :35 in a plastic inlet grid 36. The bottom of the plunger ends with a stop 37. The inlet grid matches lhe shape (internal configuration) of the bell shaped portion so that it can be vertically lifted into the bell shaped portion when a flush handle is operated (a "C" link 38 connects the top of the plunger to the .--lush arm 84 of the flush handle assembly). A
plastic washer 40 and is located about the plunger at its top below the "C" link and a compression spring 44 is located around the plunger between the horizontal platform 33 of the bell shaped inlet portion and the inlet grid to keep the grid at the bottom of the bell shaped inlet portion when the siphon is not being used. Secured centrally to the t:op of the grid around the plunger between a clamping plate 46, which has holes which forcefully receive suitable projections on the top of the grid and the qrid, is a flexible plastic cover 48 made from sheet plastic and having the shape of the grid. When the f-lush handle is operated, the plastic covered grid is elevated pushing water out of the inlet portion and into the vertical outlet portion to establish the siphon which pulls water from the tank, past the plastic cover, which folds out of the way, until the siphon is broken.
A hole 50 is molded into the side wall of the connecting portion 16, approximately 2 1/2" below the water line and a plastic elbow 52 having a circumferential lip 54 at its end is inserted into t:his hole with the elbow facing downward. The elbow has a length which can be cut to locate the bottom opening of the elbow at a location which will define a flush height (the distance between the water line and the bottom opening of the elbow which will define t:he normal flush volume (1.6 gallons) in the specific t:oilet tank 19 in which it is located (or the one of a plurality of elbows having different heights which correlate to specific toilets, can be installed to clefine this flush height for a specific tank). The elbow can be rotated while maintaining an effective seal between the elbow and the connecting portion.
An outwardly projecting key 60 ~figure 2) extends vertically upwardly along the outside of the vertical tubular discharge portion 12 and is received by a vertical keyway 62 defined in the outer surface of the bell shaped portion. Extending outwardly from t:he connecting portion is a bracket 64 which includes a number of bores (not shown) which are aligned with corresponding bores 66 which are part of a second bracket 68 extending outwardly from the vertical t:ubular discharge portion. A connection pin 70 can be forcefully pushed through any two aligned bores to connect the parts together thereby enabling the top of the vertical discharge portion, wherever it has been cut to be connected to the inlet portion.
The toilet may have a two piece flush handle 80, 82, (Fig.4) with the outer handle 80 actuating a normal flush and the inner handle 82 actuating a reduced volume flush. The outer handle 80 is connected to a spindle 83 (Fig.5) which passes t:hrough the tank wall and which is integral with an extended flush arm 84. The upper end of the "C"
shaped link 38 is connected, directly or indirectly, t:o the free end 85 of this flush arm 84 so that when t:his outer flush handle is operated, the grid will be elevated sufficiently to establish the siphon to i--lush the toilet. The breaking of the siphon, when t:he water level decreases to the opening of the elbow, will define the normal flush volume (1.6 qallon).
Rotatably supported within a suitable bore (not shown) in the spindle 83 is a shaft 86 (Fig.5).
',ecured to the shaft outside the tank is the inner I--lush handle 82 and secured to the free end of the shaft, within the tank, is a bracket 88 which has a rigid but resilient element 90 and a control element '31. Rotation of the inner handle, to flush the t:oilet, will be stopped, at a selected angular displacement, by the engagement of the resilient element with a stop 92 which is integral with a support plate 94 (the support plate is mounted on the spindle 83). The control element 91 has a flat top surface 92 supporting the flush arm 84 and a bottom surface 93 which has a notch 94. A correspondingly shaped projection 96 of a locking member 97 matingly engages this notch in the illustrated ready position.
l'he locking member has a spindle 98 which is pivotally mounted on a post 99 integral with the support plate 94 and has a first outwardly extending arm 100 which has an extended slot 102 for receiving the bent end of a wire 103. This wire has a horizontal portion 104 and a vertical portion 105 which extends downwardly through a bore in a support bracket 106. The other end of this wire is secured, in an air tight manner, to a lifting cup 108 which is open at the bottom. When the water level rises beyond the bottom of the lifting cup, the air captured within the lifting cup will force the it to rise with the water level, thereby raising the wire which causes the locking member to rotate clockwise until it is stopped. At the ready position, upward movement is stopped by the insertion of the locking member projection 96 into the control element notch '34. At the fully up position, the locking member spindle 98 stops upward displacement of the wire.
When the inner flush handle is operated (movement of t:he inner flush handle to its fully down location), t:he control element 91, and hence the flush arm 84 and the grid 36, will be displaced sufficiently to establish the siphon so that the toilet will flush.
When the inner flush handle is operated, the projection 96 on the locking member will clear the notch 94 of the control element 91 and the upward bias of the lifting cup 108 will rotate the locking member 97 underneath the lower surface 93 of the c~ontrol element 91 thereby holding the inner flush lever at its down position.
Connected proximate the free end of the flush arm 84 is one end of a rigid linkage 110 which is connected, at its other end, to the elbow 52 proximate its bottom. Rotational displacement of the control element 91 accordingly effects an upward pivotal displacement of the flush arm 84, and hence l_he elbow, with a concomitant upward relocation of l_he bottom opening of the elbow (the initial position of the elbow may be slightly inclined to lessen the l_orque required to raise the elbow). When the bottom opening of the elbow is at this uppermost position (a vertical distance "H") a predetermined reduced flush volume will be defined.
A support 112, pivotally suspended from the :right arm 114 of the locking member 97, supports at :it free end, a timing cup 116 which is open at the l_op and which has an opening 118 defined in its bottom. The top of this timing cup is located below l_he water line so that it will be filled with water :in the ready position and the size of the opening and l_he volume of the timing cup are defined so that once l_he locking member has been rotated to its fully :rotated position, water in the timing cup will hold l_he locking member in the fully up position long enough for the siphon to be broken whereupon the :Locking member will rotate back to the ready position. As already described, a rigid link extends between the elbow 52 and the flush arm 84 so that the lwo structures pivot together. In a normal flush, lhe siphon compression spring returns the flush arm and the elbow to their initial positions before the water level drops to the bottom of the elbow. In a reduced volume flush, however, the locking member holds the flush arm at an elevated position and this results in the bottom opening of the elbow also being held at an elevated position until the water level :Lowers to this opening breaking the siphon.
Thereafter~ following the timing out of the timing cup, the locking member rotates to its initial ]ocation allowing the compression spring to lower the elbow and the flush arm to their initial locations.
~ ccordingly, operation of the inner lever will result in the bottom of the elbow being relocated to its uppermost position to define a reduced volume flush and following that flush the locking member and the elbow will be returned to their initial locations.
While, in the first flush handle assembly, a mechanical linkage and a water timer are disclosed, other structures could be utilized to vertically relocate the bottom opening of the elbow, to maintain t:hat relocation until the siphon is broken, and then t:o return the elbow to its initial location.
F'eferring to figure 7, a second flush handle assembly is shown which includes a proximity sensor 120 which is connected to a suitable control (chip) 122 which is powered by a battery 124 to operate a spring ]oaded solenoid 126. The sensor, control, battery and solenoid are supported by a suitable housing 128 which hangs on the front wall of the tank 19. The proximity sensor 120 senses the presence of a person at the toilet and the control determines the time t:hat the person is at the toilet. In the event that t:he person is at the toilet less than "X" seconds the control will define a low volume flush. Otherwise it will define a normal 1.6 gallon flush.
The pin 130 of the solenoid is normally spring biased against the f]ush arm 84. When the flush handle (here there would only be a single flush handle) is operated, the flush arm will rise above t:he pin with the spring then advancing to its fully extended location. This generates a signal which t:ells the control that: the toilet has been flushed.
~or a normal flush the solenoid will be operated to immediately fully retract the pin ~or a time sufficient to allow the flush arm to return to its initial location. The pin will then be released to advance the pin against the flush arm thereby resetting the assembly. For a reduced volume flush, when the control receives the signal that the pin has f-ully advanced, it does not operate the solenoid.
]nstead, as the siphon spring pulls the flush arm back down to its initial location, its downward displacement is stopped by the fully extended pin.
In a normal flush, the siphon compression spring returns the flush arm and the elbow to their initial positions before the water level drops to the bottom of the elbow. In a reduced volume flush, however, t:he pin holds the flush arm at an elevated position and this results in the bottom opening of the elbow also being held at an elevated position until the water level lowers to this opening breaking the siphon. Thereafter the control will operate the solenoid to fully retract the pin thereby allowing t:he compression spring to lower the elbow and the ~--lush arm to their initial locations. After a period of time sufficient for this to happen, the solenoid is operated to reset the assembly.
A:\nMS.7
A hole 50 is molded into the side wall of the connecting portion 16, approximately 2 1/2" below the water line and a plastic elbow 52 having a circumferential lip 54 at its end is inserted into t:his hole with the elbow facing downward. The elbow has a length which can be cut to locate the bottom opening of the elbow at a location which will define a flush height (the distance between the water line and the bottom opening of the elbow which will define t:he normal flush volume (1.6 gallons) in the specific t:oilet tank 19 in which it is located (or the one of a plurality of elbows having different heights which correlate to specific toilets, can be installed to clefine this flush height for a specific tank). The elbow can be rotated while maintaining an effective seal between the elbow and the connecting portion.
An outwardly projecting key 60 ~figure 2) extends vertically upwardly along the outside of the vertical tubular discharge portion 12 and is received by a vertical keyway 62 defined in the outer surface of the bell shaped portion. Extending outwardly from t:he connecting portion is a bracket 64 which includes a number of bores (not shown) which are aligned with corresponding bores 66 which are part of a second bracket 68 extending outwardly from the vertical t:ubular discharge portion. A connection pin 70 can be forcefully pushed through any two aligned bores to connect the parts together thereby enabling the top of the vertical discharge portion, wherever it has been cut to be connected to the inlet portion.
The toilet may have a two piece flush handle 80, 82, (Fig.4) with the outer handle 80 actuating a normal flush and the inner handle 82 actuating a reduced volume flush. The outer handle 80 is connected to a spindle 83 (Fig.5) which passes t:hrough the tank wall and which is integral with an extended flush arm 84. The upper end of the "C"
shaped link 38 is connected, directly or indirectly, t:o the free end 85 of this flush arm 84 so that when t:his outer flush handle is operated, the grid will be elevated sufficiently to establish the siphon to i--lush the toilet. The breaking of the siphon, when t:he water level decreases to the opening of the elbow, will define the normal flush volume (1.6 qallon).
Rotatably supported within a suitable bore (not shown) in the spindle 83 is a shaft 86 (Fig.5).
',ecured to the shaft outside the tank is the inner I--lush handle 82 and secured to the free end of the shaft, within the tank, is a bracket 88 which has a rigid but resilient element 90 and a control element '31. Rotation of the inner handle, to flush the t:oilet, will be stopped, at a selected angular displacement, by the engagement of the resilient element with a stop 92 which is integral with a support plate 94 (the support plate is mounted on the spindle 83). The control element 91 has a flat top surface 92 supporting the flush arm 84 and a bottom surface 93 which has a notch 94. A correspondingly shaped projection 96 of a locking member 97 matingly engages this notch in the illustrated ready position.
l'he locking member has a spindle 98 which is pivotally mounted on a post 99 integral with the support plate 94 and has a first outwardly extending arm 100 which has an extended slot 102 for receiving the bent end of a wire 103. This wire has a horizontal portion 104 and a vertical portion 105 which extends downwardly through a bore in a support bracket 106. The other end of this wire is secured, in an air tight manner, to a lifting cup 108 which is open at the bottom. When the water level rises beyond the bottom of the lifting cup, the air captured within the lifting cup will force the it to rise with the water level, thereby raising the wire which causes the locking member to rotate clockwise until it is stopped. At the ready position, upward movement is stopped by the insertion of the locking member projection 96 into the control element notch '34. At the fully up position, the locking member spindle 98 stops upward displacement of the wire.
When the inner flush handle is operated (movement of t:he inner flush handle to its fully down location), t:he control element 91, and hence the flush arm 84 and the grid 36, will be displaced sufficiently to establish the siphon so that the toilet will flush.
When the inner flush handle is operated, the projection 96 on the locking member will clear the notch 94 of the control element 91 and the upward bias of the lifting cup 108 will rotate the locking member 97 underneath the lower surface 93 of the c~ontrol element 91 thereby holding the inner flush lever at its down position.
Connected proximate the free end of the flush arm 84 is one end of a rigid linkage 110 which is connected, at its other end, to the elbow 52 proximate its bottom. Rotational displacement of the control element 91 accordingly effects an upward pivotal displacement of the flush arm 84, and hence l_he elbow, with a concomitant upward relocation of l_he bottom opening of the elbow (the initial position of the elbow may be slightly inclined to lessen the l_orque required to raise the elbow). When the bottom opening of the elbow is at this uppermost position (a vertical distance "H") a predetermined reduced flush volume will be defined.
A support 112, pivotally suspended from the :right arm 114 of the locking member 97, supports at :it free end, a timing cup 116 which is open at the l_op and which has an opening 118 defined in its bottom. The top of this timing cup is located below l_he water line so that it will be filled with water :in the ready position and the size of the opening and l_he volume of the timing cup are defined so that once l_he locking member has been rotated to its fully :rotated position, water in the timing cup will hold l_he locking member in the fully up position long enough for the siphon to be broken whereupon the :Locking member will rotate back to the ready position. As already described, a rigid link extends between the elbow 52 and the flush arm 84 so that the lwo structures pivot together. In a normal flush, lhe siphon compression spring returns the flush arm and the elbow to their initial positions before the water level drops to the bottom of the elbow. In a reduced volume flush, however, the locking member holds the flush arm at an elevated position and this results in the bottom opening of the elbow also being held at an elevated position until the water level :Lowers to this opening breaking the siphon.
Thereafter~ following the timing out of the timing cup, the locking member rotates to its initial ]ocation allowing the compression spring to lower the elbow and the flush arm to their initial locations.
~ ccordingly, operation of the inner lever will result in the bottom of the elbow being relocated to its uppermost position to define a reduced volume flush and following that flush the locking member and the elbow will be returned to their initial locations.
While, in the first flush handle assembly, a mechanical linkage and a water timer are disclosed, other structures could be utilized to vertically relocate the bottom opening of the elbow, to maintain t:hat relocation until the siphon is broken, and then t:o return the elbow to its initial location.
F'eferring to figure 7, a second flush handle assembly is shown which includes a proximity sensor 120 which is connected to a suitable control (chip) 122 which is powered by a battery 124 to operate a spring ]oaded solenoid 126. The sensor, control, battery and solenoid are supported by a suitable housing 128 which hangs on the front wall of the tank 19. The proximity sensor 120 senses the presence of a person at the toilet and the control determines the time t:hat the person is at the toilet. In the event that t:he person is at the toilet less than "X" seconds the control will define a low volume flush. Otherwise it will define a normal 1.6 gallon flush.
The pin 130 of the solenoid is normally spring biased against the f]ush arm 84. When the flush handle (here there would only be a single flush handle) is operated, the flush arm will rise above t:he pin with the spring then advancing to its fully extended location. This generates a signal which t:ells the control that: the toilet has been flushed.
~or a normal flush the solenoid will be operated to immediately fully retract the pin ~or a time sufficient to allow the flush arm to return to its initial location. The pin will then be released to advance the pin against the flush arm thereby resetting the assembly. For a reduced volume flush, when the control receives the signal that the pin has f-ully advanced, it does not operate the solenoid.
]nstead, as the siphon spring pulls the flush arm back down to its initial location, its downward displacement is stopped by the fully extended pin.
In a normal flush, the siphon compression spring returns the flush arm and the elbow to their initial positions before the water level drops to the bottom of the elbow. In a reduced volume flush, however, t:he pin holds the flush arm at an elevated position and this results in the bottom opening of the elbow also being held at an elevated position until the water level lowers to this opening breaking the siphon. Thereafter the control will operate the solenoid to fully retract the pin thereby allowing t:he compression spring to lower the elbow and the ~--lush arm to their initial locations. After a period of time sufficient for this to happen, the solenoid is operated to reset the assembly.
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Claims (14)
1. A siphon assembly for use with a flush type toilet having a gravity tank with a drain hole at the bottom comprising a siphon including an inlet portion having a bell shaped portion and a connecting portion, a hole in said inlet portion, a tubular structure secured within said inlet portion hole, said tubular structure having an opening selectively located at a first position to break the siphon thereby defining the normal flush volume for the toilet, means for flushing the toilet with said opening at said first position, means for flushing the toilet with a reduced volume including means for vertically upwardly relocating said opening to a second position, means for maintaining said opening at said second position until the siphon is broken, and means for returning said opening to said first position following the breaking of the siphon.
2. A siphon assembly for use with a flush type toilet according to claim 1, wherein said tubular structure is an elbow pivotally secured within said inlet portion hole and terminating at an open end.
3. A siphon assembly for use with a flush type toilet according to claim 2, wherein said means for vertically upwardly relocating said opening to a second position comprises a flush handle assembly including a flush handle pivotally displaceable about a selected axis, a flushing arm displaceable by said flush handle from a ready position to a flush position, and a rigid linkage interconnecting said elbow and said flushing arm.
4. A siphon assembly for use with a flush type toilet according to claim 3, wherein said means for maintaining said opening at said second position until the siphon is broken comprises means for preventing the downward displacement of said flushing arm below a position selected to locate said elbow opening at said second position.
5. A siphon assembly for use with a flush type toilet according to claim 4, wherein said preventing means comprises a solenoid having a pin selectively advanceable into the downward path of said flushing arm .
6. A siphon assembly for use with a flush type toilet according to claim 5, wherein said means for returning said opening to said first position following the breaking of the siphon comprises means for retracting said pin.
7. A siphon assembly for use with a flush type toilet according to claim 6, wherein said pin is spring biased against said flushing arm when said flushing arm is at the ready position.
8. A siphon assembly for use with a flush type toilet according to claim 3, wherein said flush handle assembly further comprises a second flush handle assembly including a second flush handle pivotal about said selected axis, a control member pivotal about said selected axis from a ready position, said control member supporting said flushing arm, and means for stopping the pivotal displacement of said control member at an elevated position when said flushing arm has been elevated to a location whereat said opening has been relocated to said second position, and wherein said means for maintaining said opening at said second position until the siphon is broken comprises a locking element displaceable from a first position to a second position whereat the pivotal displacement of said control element from the elevated position towards said ready position will be prevented, and means for holding said locking element at said second position for a selected period of time.
9. A siphon assembly for use with a flush type toilet having a gravity tank with a drain hole at the bottom comprising a siphon, first means for flushing the toilet with a normal flush volume, second means for flushing the toilet with a reduced volume, and means for selectively operating either said first flushing means or said second flushing means including sensor means for sensing the presence of a person at the toilet.
10. A siphon assembly for use with a flush type toilet according to claim 9, wherein said siphon comprises an inlet portion having a bell shaped portion and a connecting portion, a hole in said inlet portion, a tubular structure secured within said inlet portion hole, said tubular structure terminating at an opening selectively located at a first position to break the siphon thereby defining the normal flush volume for the toilet, wherein said first means for flushing the toilet with a normal flush volume comprises means for flushing the toilet with said opening at said first position.
11. A siphon assembly for use with a flush type toilet according to claim 10, wherein said second means for flushing the toilet with a reduced volume comprises means for vertically upwardly relocating said opening to a second position, means for maintaining said opening at said second position until the siphon is broken, and means for returning said opening to said first position following the breaking of the siphon.
12. A siphon for use with a flush type toilet having a tank with a drain hole at the bottom comprising a vertical tubular discharge portion including a vertical tube and means for securing the bottom of said vertical tubular discharge portion within the drain hole in the bottom of the tank, said vertical tube having a height selected so that it can be cut to define an installation height within a predetermined range of heights, a bell shaped inlet portion including a connecting portion having a downwardly extending tubular portion for telescopic insertion into said vertical tube, means for releasably connecting said vertical tubular discharge portion to said bell shaped portion including a bracket on said vertical tube having a plurality of vertically spaced horizontal pin receiving holes, a bracket on said connecting portion having a plurality of vertically spaced horizontal pin receiving holes and a connecting pin for insertion into aligned vertical tube and connecting portion pin receiving holes.
13. A siphon for use with a flush type toilet having a tank with a drain hole at the bottom according to claim 12, further comprising a hole in said bell shaped inlet portion, an elbow secured within said bell shaped inlet portion hole, said elbow extending downwardly a selected distance to a bottom opening so that the elbow can be cut to define a flush height within said selected vertical range.
14. A siphon for use with a flush type toilet according to claim 13, wherein said releasably connecting means further includes a vertical key outwardly projecting from said vertical tubular discharge portion and a vertical keyway on said bell shaped portion for receiving said vertical key.
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US08/805,689 US5855024A (en) | 1997-02-25 | 1997-02-25 | Siphon for tank type toilet |
| US08/805.689 | 1997-02-25 | ||
| US08/805,762 | 1997-02-25 | ||
| US08/805,762 US5761748A (en) | 1997-02-25 | 1997-02-25 | Siphon for tank type toilet |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2230268A1 true CA2230268A1 (en) | 1998-08-25 |
Family
ID=27122813
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2230268 Abandoned CA2230268A1 (en) | 1997-02-25 | 1998-02-23 | Siphon for tank type toilet |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2230268A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2323105B (en) |
| SG (1) | SG60205A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2419609A (en) * | 2004-10-16 | 2006-05-03 | Neil Tromans | Dual flush facility for siphon-discharge flushing cistern |
| FR2921082B1 (en) * | 2007-09-19 | 2009-12-04 | Siamp Cedap Reunies | "SIPHON WATER HUNTING DEVICE ADJUSTABLE AT HEIGHT" |
Family Cites Families (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2092197A (en) * | 1981-01-29 | 1982-08-11 | Charmoy George Joseph Marie Ma | Cistern siphon units |
| GB2167778B (en) * | 1984-11-30 | 1988-02-03 | Dudley Thomas Ltd | Syphon assembly for flushing cisterns |
| JPS62146330A (en) * | 1985-12-18 | 1987-06-30 | 三井不動産株式会社 | Automatic washing apparatus |
| US5187818A (en) * | 1991-05-14 | 1993-02-23 | Barrett Sr John P | Flushing system for a water closet |
| GB2275697B (en) * | 1993-03-01 | 1997-08-27 | Polypipe Plc | Variable discharge syphon for use in a cistern |
| GB9614919D0 (en) * | 1996-07-16 | 1996-09-04 | Gesek Bogdan | Air controlled limited flushing system manual automatic electrical |
-
1998
- 1998-02-23 CA CA 2230268 patent/CA2230268A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1998-02-23 SG SG1998000390A patent/SG60205A1/en unknown
- 1998-02-24 GB GB9803882A patent/GB2323105B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB2323105A (en) | 1998-09-16 |
| GB2323105B (en) | 2001-09-05 |
| GB9803882D0 (en) | 1998-04-22 |
| SG60205A1 (en) | 1999-02-22 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |