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:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates to discharging liquids from containers, and more particularly, to a toilet flushing mechanism.  
           [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0004]    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.  
           [0005]    There are no similar toilet flushing mechanisms to the best of applicant&#39;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.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    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.  
           [0007]    It is another object of this invention to provide a toilet flushing system that may be incorporated into existing toilets without major modifications.  
           [0008]    It is another object of this invention to provide a toilet flushing system that conserves water by controlling the amount to be flushed.  
           [0009]    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.  
           [0010]    It is yet another object of this invention to provide such a device that is inexpensive to manufacture and maintain while retaining its effectiveness.  
           [0011]    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.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]    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:  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 1 represents an isometric view of the present invention.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the present invention with a cut-out of a toilet.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of the actuating assembly and guide housing.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 4 a  illustrates an elevational view of the present invention at the initial stage before flushing.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 4 b  illustrates an elevational view of the present invention while flushing as water enters the funnel assembly.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 4 c  illustrates an elevational view of the present invention at the position after completely flushing, with the flexible hose compressed.  
         [0019]    [0019]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.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 4 e  illustrates an elevational view of the present invention when the water source continues to flow after its predetermined amount.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the present invention in an alternate embodiment.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a flush control gauge in an alternate embodiment. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0023]    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 .  
         [0024]    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.  
         [0025]    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.  
         [0026]    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.  
         [0027]    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.  
         [0028]    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 .  
         [0029]    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 .  
         [0030]    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.  
         [0031]    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.  
         [0032]    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 .  
         [0033]    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 .  
         [0034]    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.  
         [0035]    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.  
         [0036]    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.