Patent ID: 6092245
Filing Date: 2000-07-25
Classification: E03D

Abstract:
In a flush toilet having a water tank, fill control means for maintaining a maximum water level in said tank, and a flush valve located at the bottom of said water tank and operable by mechanical linkage means having an upper end with means for connection to an operating lever, an improved multi-fit operating lever adapted for use with toilets of varying tank size and types of flush valve linkages comprisinga manual operating handle, a lever arm molded integral with a pivot, said pivot being connected to said handle and turning about a pivot axis, means for securing said pivot and lever arm for rotatable operation in a toilet tank within an operating opening above said maximum water level, said lever arm having a base and a shaft, said base in an as-molded condition being at an angle of about 90.degree. to said pivot axis, and said shaft being movable through a vertical arc of operation by manual rotation of said handle,said arm having a maximum thickness no larger than said pivot whereby said lever may be installed by insertion through said operating opening in said toilet tank,said arm having a plurality of attachment points and predetermined cut-off points spaced in repeating sequence along the length of said arm, the attachment points of each such sequence being adapted to receive and retain a variety of mechanical linkage means, with each sequence including at least(a) one horizontal lateral through-hole adapted to receive and retain a connecting means including a hook; and(b) an elongated cavity with an upward-opening lateral slot adapted to receive and retain, alternately, one bead in a linkage means including at its upper end a bead chain, or a hooked end of a wire connector extended upward through said cavity, and then rotated 90.degree. to be received and retained by said lateral slot; and(c) a second through-hole to provide an intentionally weakened cut-off point at a predetermined location for shortening the length of the lever arm shaft to fit a particular installation.