Baths – closets – sinks – and spittoons – Flush closet – Bowl
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-17
2001-03-06
Recla, Henry J (Department: 3751)
Baths, closets, sinks, and spittoons
Flush closet
Bowl
C004S434000, C004S421000, C004S329000, C004SDIG001
Reexamination Certificate
active
06195810
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a flushing device for disposing of human waste. More specifically, the present invention relates to a flushing device for disposing of human waste that is easy to assemble and reduces possible clogs.
2. Background and Material Information
Prior art flushing devices for disposing of human waste include a trap section in a drain path extending from a bowl in a case main body that communicates with an external drain pipe. A trap driving mechanism pivots the rear (free) end of the trap section between upper and lower positions. In the upper position, fluid is retained in the bowl. In the lower position, fluid discharges from the bowl along the drain path. A water-supply mechanism supplies water to the bowl. When a flushing switch is activated (i.e., when a user flushes the device), the water-supply mechanism supplies water to the bowl, while the trap driving mechanism moves the rear end of the trap section to the lower position to drain the bowl. The trap driving mechanism then moves the rear end of the trap section to the upper position. The water-supply mechanism turns off after filling the bowl with fresh water.
A drawback of the above prior art device is that the trap section is formed of a soft material, such as rubber. An end of an arm of a pivotal member secured to the rear end of the trap section is made of a hard material that tends to deform the trap section during use. This can block the drainage path and cause waste buildup.
Another drawback of the prior art flushing device is that the opening of the rear end of the trap section has the shape of standard end of a tube. When the trap section opening moves between the upper and lower positions, a gap between the sides of the opening of the rear end of the trap section and the rear face of the inside of the case main becomes larger than the gap between the lowest portion of the opening of the rear end of the trap section and the rear face of the inside of the case. Consequently, waste may flow over the side portions of the rear end of the trap section through this widened gap. That is, before the rear end of the trap section reaches its lower position, waste may flow over the side portions of the rear end of the trap section, staining the sides of the inner face of the case main body. Waste may also cling to the inner face of the case main body, interfering with further discharge of the trap section to the external drain pipe.
Yet another drawback of the prior art is that an arm of the pivotal member must be attached to the case main body so as to freely pivot thereon. A pivot shaft is inserted through a hole formed in the side faces of the case main body. The arm is properly positioned inside the case main body such that the end of the arm is secured to the pivot shaft. This requires a complex structure to install the arm inside the case main body, which increases manufacturing time and costs.
Still another drawback of the above prior art flushing device is that the trap section, which has the shape of a bellow, is fitted and connected to a cylindrical bowl drain outlet formed at the rear end of the bowl. There is a step difference between the tip of the cylindrical drain outlet and the recessed portion of the connecting section that can block the drainage path.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a flushing device for disposing of human waste that overcomes the above drawbacks of the prior art.
The present invention provides a flushing device for disposing of human waste that includes a trap section inside a case main body to define a draining path extending from a bowl to an external drain. The trap section has a rear (free) end movable between upper and lower positions. A trap driving mechanism pivots the trap section between the upper and lower positions. A water-supply supplies water to the bowl.
A ring is fitted to an inner circumferential section of the rear end of the trap section. The ring has a rear end that is notched from center portions. The respective side edges of the ring have an arcuate shape (from a side view). The ring reinforces the rear end of the trap section to prevent deformation of the trap section, which prevents clogs.
The case main body has a lower portion of its inner rear face that faces the rear end of the ring. This lower portion has an arcuate shape that is substantially identical to the arcuate shape of the ring (in its side view). When the trap section pivots, a gap between the arcuate shape of the ring and the upper portion of the rear face inside the case main body widens, while a gap between the arcuate shape of the ring and the arcuate shape at the lower portion of the rear face inside the case main body narrows. This prevents waste from spilling over the sides of ring
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during pivotal movement of the trap section.
A pivotal member pivotally mounted to the case main body is attached to the outer circumferential face of the trap section such that the rear end of the trap section is sandwiched between the pivotal member and the ring. This allows the ring to be easily and firmly attached to the rear end of the trap section.
Moreover, it is preferable to install a ring positioning section at the rear end of the trap section, and a positioning-use section at the ring, such that they engage. This arrangement makes it possible to attach the ring to the trap section in an appropriate positional relationship.
It is also preferable that the pivotal member includes a pair of pivotal half members having an identical shape. Each pivotal half member includes a pivotal arm having a first end pivotally mounted on case main body so as to freely pivot thereon, and a second end having an integral semicircular section. A pair of the semicircular sections secure to each other around the outer circumferential section of the rear end of the trap section. This simplifies attaching the pivotal member to the trap section. The pivotal half members can also preferably be molded using a common metal mold.
It is also preferable that bearing groove sections, each having an upper opening, are formed in inner faces on the respective right and left side portions of the case main body. A side opening section, which has openings upward and sidewards, and which is narrower than the groove section, is formed on the side of each bearing groove section. A pivot shaft member, which projects sideways, is formed on one end of the pivotal arm. A flange is formed on the projecting end of the pivot shaft member. The flange fits to the bearing groove section from above so as to freely pivot thereon, and the pivot shaft member fits to the inside of the side opening section so as to freely pivot therein. With this arrangement, the pivotal member is inserted into the case main body from above; the flange is fitted to the bearing groove section from above so as to freely pivot thereon; and the pivot shaft member is fitted to the inside of the side opening section so as to freely pivot therein.
Moreover, it is preferable to provide a draining notched section to drain water remaining inside the bearing groove section at the lower end of the side opening section. Even if waste water flows into the bearing groove section, it can drain through the draining notched section. This prevents waste water from building up and hardening within the bearing groove section that could otherwise hinder pivotal movement of the pivotal member.
Furthermore, it is preferable to chamfer the corner portions defined by the side faces and the rear face of the case main body. This avoids waste from depositing at the corner portions.
It is also preferable to form the trap section into a bellows shape, including alternating protrusions and recesses that continue alternately. The protrusion at the front end of the trap section is extended axially to form a cylindrically shaped connection section. The recess immediately adjacent this connecting section has a wider radius than the other recesses to define a widened recess. The cylindrical connection secti
Matsushita Yoshiro
Minamiyama Takaya
Nakamura Takahiro
Nishizaki Yoshihiro
Okumura Katsuyuki
Greenblum & Bernstein P.L.C.
Huynh Khoa
Matsushita Electric Works Co., Ltd.
Recla Henry J
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