Baths – closets – sinks – and spittoons – Flush closet – Manual selection of the amount of flush
Reexamination Certificate
2002-03-14
2004-02-17
Phillips, Charles E. (Department: 3751)
Baths, closets, sinks, and spittoons
Flush closet
Manual selection of the amount of flush
C004S410000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06691332
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to valves, more particularly to outlet valves to control the flow of liquid. It will be convenient to describe the invention in relation to outlet valves for cisterns, especially water cisterns for use in toilets although it will be appreciated that the invention may have wider application.
Environmental concerns about the excessive use of water has lead to numerous domestic practices aimed at reducing water wastage. One such practice involves the use of more water-efficient toilet flushing systems, in particular cisterns which allow the user the option of flushing using a full volume of water or a reduced volume. Building regulations differ from country to country but generally such regulations specify the particular minimum and maximum volumes of water to be used, for example a full flush of 6 liters and a half flush of 3 liters. Although the terms “full flush” and “half flush” are used throughout the description and claims of this specification, it will be appreciated by the skilled addressee that “half flush” is not necessarily exactly half the volume of a “full flush” but, for example, a full flush may equate to 9 liters and a half flush to 6 liters. The term “half flush” should therefore be considered to refer to any desired reduced flushing volume.
A wide variety of dual-flush cistern outlet valves have been proposed and used. Many of these comprise apparatus for dividing the cistern into two separate reservoirs each having separate outlet valves: when a half flush is required, one of the outlet valves is opened so that one of the reservoirs empties. When a full flush is required, both valves are opened so that both reservoirs empty. These and many other dual-flush apparatus generally require two separate actuating systems to open the two valves. It is desirable to reduce the number of separately manufactured parts for a dual flush system.
SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a dual flush outlet valve which can be made using a minimum of separate moveable parts. It is a further object to provide a dual flush outlet valve which can be suitably adjusted to allow a variety of full and half flush volumes without the need for differently dimensioned components so that the one apparatus can be used throughout the world and adjusted easily to comply with differing regulatory requirements on flushing volumes. It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a dual flush apparatus which utilises a pivoting or ‘flapper” valve rather than a plunger valve.
Most known dual flush outlet valves also have limited scope to provide variable or extra capacity for overfilling relief from the reservoir, for example In the case of failure of the reservoir filling valve to shut-off when the reservoir has been filled to its desired level. It is an object of another aspect of the present invention to provide a dual flush outlet valve with added fixed or variable overflow protection.
In accordance with the present invention there is provided a dual volume discharge apparatus for selectively discharging a full flush or a half flush of liquid from a reservoir, said discharge apparatus including:
actuator means selectively moveable from a closed position to either a full flush position or a half flush position,
sealing means moveable by said actuator means from a closed position to either a full flush position or a half flush position, said sealing means being biased toward said closed position when in said half flush position,
liquid outlet which is sealed by said sealing means to prevent flow of liquid out of said reservoir when said sealing means is in said closed position and which allows flow of liquid out of said reservoir when said sealing means is in the full flush position or the half flush position,
stop means co-operable with said sealing means and being biased towards position capable of holding said sealing means in said half flush position when said actuator means is moved to said half flush position until a predetermined volume of liquid has been discharged from said reservoir and then allowing aid sealing means to move to said closed position thereafter.
The actuator means is selectively moveable from a closed position to either a full flush position or to a half flush position. The actuator means preferably further includes means for selecting either the half flush or full flush functions. In a preferred embodiment the actuator means includes twin selection means, a first selection means being adapted to move said actuator means from the closed position to the half flush position, and a second selection means being adapted to move the actuator means from the closed position to the full flush position. Said means may be in the form of a dual press-button device where each button when depressed causes the actuator means to move a certain distance, the two buttons each moving the actuator means a different distance. Preferably the half flush position is intermediate the closed and full flush positions and the distance the first selection means moves the actuator means when depressed by the user is less than the distance the second selection means moves the actuator means when depressed.
The actuator means moves the sealing means from a closed position to either a full flush position or to a half flush position. In a preferred embodiment the sealing means is a flapper-type valve and the actuator means acts on the sealing means to cause the sealing means to pivot between said closed, half flush and full flush positions.
The sealing means seals the liquid outlet when the actuator means is in. the closed position. When the sealing means is moved to either of the flush positions, the liquid outlet is opened and liquid in the reservoir is able to flow by gravity out of the liquid outlet.
When in the half flush position, the sealing means is biased toward the closed position. Preferably this bias is caused by the resolved static and dynamic fluid and gravitational forces acting on the sealing means when the sealing means is in the half flush position. When the sealing means has been moved from the closed position, liquid will flow out of the reservoir causing a venturi effect. This will result in a lower pressure acting on the lower surface of the sealing means and a greater pressure acting on the upper surface of the sealing means, the resultant net forces acting to urge the sealing means toward the closed position. Preferably when the sealing means is a flapper-valve, less pivotal movement of the sealing means away from the liquid outlet is required to put the sealing means in the half flush position than in the full flush position. In other words, when the actuator means is moved to the half flush position, the sealing means moves a first distance away from the liquid outlet, but when the actuator means is moved to the full flush position, the sealing means moves a further distance away from the liquid outlet.
Preferably when the sealing means is in the full flush position, the resolved forces acting upon it urge It to remain in that position, at least until the liquid level in the reservoir drops to a point where the sealing means is no longer covered with liquid. The sealing means may include a float which provides a buoyant force greater than any downward acting forces on the sealing means such that it remains in the full flush open position while there is still water in the reservoir but when the water level drops to below the float, the lack of buoyancy will cause the sealing means to close.
The apparatus further includes stop means co-operable with the sealing means. The stop means is biased towards a position capable of holding said sealing means in a half flush position when the actuator is moved to the half flush position. The stop means then holds the sealing means in the half flush position until a predetermined volume of liquid has been discharged from the reservoir. Thereafter, the sealing means moves to the closed position so that no more liquid is able to flow out of the liquid
Phillips Charles E.
VGM (Aust) PTY Ltd.
LandOfFree
Dual volume discharge outlet valve apparatus does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Dual volume discharge outlet valve apparatus, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Dual volume discharge outlet valve apparatus will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3352967