Abstract:
A device for detecting leaks and shutting off a water inlet into a main toilet flushing cistern in which the water inlet is controlled by a main valve which is closed by an operating lever, said main valve supplying the main cistern via a filling column, a float contained in a float compartment pivoting the operating lever when the main cistern is full. The float compartment is closed in its bottom part and over its entire lateral periphery so that the water contained in said float compartment can be expelled only by causing it to pass over at least one of the side walls thereof, and in that said device comprises an actuating mechanism for emptying said float compartment. The mechanism is configured to bring about the lowering of the float into said float compartment so as to cause the opening of the water inlet.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED U.S. APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not applicable. 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       NAMES OF PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
       [0003]    Not applicable. 
       REFERENCE TO AN APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON COMPACT DISC 
       [0004]    Not applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0006]    The invention concerns a device for detecting leaks and shutting off the water inlet in toilet cisterns. 
         [0007]    2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 37 CFR 1.98. 
         [0008]    The flushing devices known at present generally include a valve feed to the body of the cistern, a piston for blocking the flow orifice situated at the base of the cistern, and control means for opening the water inlet slaved to the position of the piston. The control means usually comprise a float connected to a system of links for closing the water inlet valve when the cistern is filled, the adjustment of the depth of water in the cistern being based on the position of the float. 
         [0009]    In normal operation flushing is triggered by a pushbutton or a handle the effect of which is to open the flow at the bottom of the cistern, after which the descent of the float in the cistern triggers the opening of the water inlet, the closure member at the bottom of the cistern then resumes its position and the cistern is filled. When the float reaches its topmost position, the water inlet, is shut off. 
         [0010]    Over time the seal of the closure member is no longer as perfect as required and water from the cistern then flows continuously into the toilet, this type of malfunction being referred to in the remainder of the present description as a “small leak”. 
         [0011]    It also happens that the closure member is not repositioned at all after flushing, in which situation water flows continuously in large quantities, this type of malfunction being referred to in the remainder of the present description as a “large leak”. 
         [0012]    Small leaks and large leaks lead to an overconsumption of water that is very harmful in the present, context of conservation of resource. In order to avoid unnecessary costs it is therefore necessary to minimize these leaks. 
         [0013]    In the field concerned the applicant has already offered solutions for alleviating leaks in cisterns, and the present invention represents an improvement relating notably to the device described in published application WO2009141518. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    The invention proposes a single, compact, optimised device enabling prevention of unwanted flow of water in a cistern in the event of small or large leaks. 
         [0015]    The invention concerns a device for detecting leaks and shutting off a water inlet into a toilet flushing main cistern in which the water inlet is controlled by a main valve which is closed by an operating lever, said main valve supplying the Hushing main cistern via a filling column, a float contained in a float compartment pivoting the operating lever when the main flushing cistern is full. 
         [0016]    The device is characterised in that said float compartment is closed in its bottom part and over its entire lateral periphery so that the water contained in said float compartment can be expelled only by causing it to pass over at least one of the side walls thereof, and in that said device comprises an actuating mechanism for emptying said float compartment, said mechanism being configured to bring about the lowering of the float into said float compartment so as to open the water inlet. 
         [0017]    The device of the invention for defecting leaks and shutting off the water inlet has many advantages:
       a single assembly is capable of alleviating the problem of both large and small leaks in cisterns,   the float is totally or partially immersed in the float compartment, which avoids the use of complex mechanical systems, which usually lead to a loss of reliability of the device,   resetting by overflowing is simple and reliable, in contrast to prior art devices in which the resetting mechanism often entails the risk of imperiling the whole of the leak detection device in the event of accidental jamming of the mechanism, different variants being possible tor resuming flushing in the ease of a large or small leak; it is also possible for the float valve to remain in the closing position for the duration of draining the main flushing cistern, opening occurring on the descent and closing of the flushing mechanism, thus obtaining a time-delay on opening with the advantage of reducing consumption and thereby saving water,   the device has a low overall installation cost and in use provides large savings as much for the user as for the community by reason of the conservation of the water resource.       
 
         [0022]    According to other features:
       said mechanism may comprise a maneuvering float connected to a lever or button for operating the flushing mechanism that is configured so that actuation of said lever or button brings about the lowering of said maneuvering float in said float compartment and overflowing of some of the water contained in said float compartment and releasing said, operating lever or button enables said maneuvering float to rise, which brings about lowering of the float and opening of the water inlet; such a solution enables a pipe and a piston or bellows to be dispensed with and is therefore universal; it may be used either with a bottom feed or a side feed, feeding being effected via a hose,   said mechanism may comprise a ballast tank situated above said float configured to bring about the lowering of said float in the event of actuation of the flushing mechanism,   the flow of water from the ballast tank may be effected outside the float compartment via a dedicated pipe,   said dedicated pipe may be provided with a flow orifice leading to the main flushing cistern, which flow orifice is provided with a valve and enables flow of water from the ballast tank when the latter is ready to be emptied,   the float compartment may receive water from the ballast tank when the latter is ready to be emptied,   a main tube may establish communication between a high bell disposed in a high tank situated above said float compartment, with the area close to the level of the bottom of the flushing main cistern, said high tank, said high belt and said main tube being configured so that a lowering of the water level in the main tube produces a rise in the water level in the high bell, said rise in water level bringing about rising of the float; such an arrangement can enable detection of large leaks and shutting off of the water inlet in the event of a large leak,   said high tank and said high bell may be configured so that a rise in the water level in the high hell brings about a flow via a siphon to a central compartment and then via a central tube to the float compartment,   the ends of two tubes, namely the main tube and a second tube, may terminate in the high bell, said high tank being fed with water by means of an opening provided in the filling column,   the low end of said main tube may be provided with a low bell disposed in a low tank including a calibrated flow orifice,   an intermediate tank may be fastened to the float compartment and adapted to feed it with water to fill it,   an intermediate tank may be fastened to the high tank and fed with water by the latter by means of an overflow tank,   the actuating mechanism may include a bell positioned under the float, which bell is connected, by a pipe to the interior of a piston, which piston is moved by the actuating mechanism; such a mechanism will generally be used as a resetting mechanism after the water is shut off following a small leak or a large leak,   the resetting mechanism may include a bell positioned under the float, which bell is connected by a pipe to a bellows, which bellows is actuated by a cylinder moved by the actuating lever,   the actuating mechanism may include a vessel provided with a bell in which terminates a pipe connected to a bellows, which bellows is actuated by a cylinder moved by the actuating mechanism; such, a mechanism will generally be used as a resetting mechanism after the water is shut off following a small leak or a large leak.       
 
         [0037]    Other features and advantages of the invention will emerge from the following description with reference to the appended drawings, which axe provided by way of nonlimiting example only. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0038]      FIG. 1  is a sectional view of the device for detecting leaks and shutting off the water inlet in a first embodiment. 
           [0039]      FIG. 2  is a sectional view of the device for detecting leaks and shutting off the water inlet in a second embodiment. 
           [0040]      FIG. 3  is a sectional view of the device for detecting leaks and shutting off the water inlet in a third embodiment. 
           [0041]      FIG. 4  is a sectional view of the device for detecting leaks and shutting off the water inlet in a fourth embodiment. 
           [0042]      FIG. 5  shows a first variant of a system for resetting the device after a small or large leak. 
           [0043]      FIG. 6  shows a resetting system conforming to a second variant. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0044]    In an advantageous embodiment of the invention shown in figure I the device for detecting leaks and shutting off the water inlet  1  is installed in a toilet, flushing main cistern  4  and connected to the circuit for topping if up with water. 
         [0045]    The water inlet  1  is controlled by a main valve  2  which is closed by an operating lever  3 , which main valve  2  feeds the flushing main cistern  4  via a filling column  5 . When the flushing main cistern  4  is filed a float  6  contained in a float compartment  7  pivots the operating lever  3  relative to its 
         [0046]    position when said main cistern  4  is empty. 
         [0047]    In this embodiment of the invention upper portion of the float  6  is provided with a ballast tank  8 . Said tank includes at its base a calibrated flow orifice  9  enabling it to be drained completely. Said float  6  is always partially or completely immersed in the float compartment  7 . 
         [0048]    The device also includes a set of two tubes, namely a main tube  10  and a second tube  11  establishing communication between three tanks, namely a low tank  12  used to detect large leaks positioned at the level of the bottom of the filling column  5 , a top tank  13  placed at the high level of the filling column  5  above the float compartment  7 , and an intermediate tank  14 . The high tank  13  and the intermediate tank  14  are used to regulate the hydraulic flows. 
         [0049]    To be more precise, the high tank  13  is provided, with a high bell  15  in which terminate the ends of the two communication tubes  10  and  11 . Said high tank  13  is fed with water by means of an opening  16  provided in the filling column  5 . 
         [0050]    According to the invention one communication tube, namely the main tube  10 , provided at its low end with a low bell  17  positioned in the low tank  12 , establishes communication between said low tank  12  and the high tank  13 . 
         [0051]    The low tank  12  is provided in its lower portion with a calibrated flow orifice  18  enabling slow and controlled flow of water when the main cistern  4  is empty. 
         [0052]    In a first variant of the device shown in  FIG. 1  the device comprises a dedicated pipe  21  provided with a flow orifice  19  leading to the flushing main cistern  4 . Said flow orifice  19  is provided with a secondary valve  20  and enables flow of water from the ballast tank  8  when the latter is ready to be emptied. 
         [0053]    In this first variant the flow of water from the ballast tank  8  is effected outside the float compartment  7  via said dedicated pipe  21 . 
         [0054]    Still in this variant, the intermediate tank  14  is fastened to the float compartment  7  and adapted to feed it with water to fill it. 
         [0055]    In a second variant of the invention shown in  FIG. 2  the float compartment  7  receives water from the ballast tank  8  when the latter is ready to be emptied. 
         [0056]    In this second variant the intermediate tank  14  is fastened to the high tank  13  and fed with water by the latter by means of an overflow tank  22 . 
         [0057]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 to 4 , the float  6  is firmly fastened to a part  23  that is able to slide along a vertical guide. An adjustment screw  25  enables adjustment of the height over which the float  6  moves simultaneously with the float compartment  7  by vertical movement of the part  23  relative to its support part  24 . 
         [0058]    In any of these four variants of the device, resetting following a small or large leak is effected by simple action on the operating lever  3  or on an actuating mechanism  47 ,  49 . The effect of such action is to lower the float  6  in the float compartment  7 , this lowering of the float  6  opening the water inlet  1  into the flushing main cistern  4 . 
         [0059]    The operation of the first variant of the device is described in more detail nest with reference to  FIG. 1 : 
         [0060]    When the cistern is first filled with water, the water level rises in the main cistern  4 , the water flowing via the filling column  5  and through the opening  16 . The water arriving via said opening  16  fills the high tank  13 . The two tubes  10  and  11  are filled with air and at atmospheric pressure. The level in the high tank  13  and in the high bell  15  is maintained constant thanks to the overflow  26 . When the water level rises in the twain cistern  4  water fills the low tank  12  and floods the low bell  17 . Air pushed along the main tube  10  arrives in the high hell  15  and is evacuated via the second tube  11 . As it continues to rise in the main cistern  4 , the water reaches the level of the secondary valve  20 , which then shuts off the flow orifice  19 , and then overflows into the float compartment  7  on passing over the rim  27 . The float compartment  7  fills, together with the ballast tank  8 , causing the float  6  to rise and the part  23  and the support part  24  to slide along the vertical guide. The intermediate tank  14  also fills. When the high level is reached the tilting of the operating lever  3  applies pressure to the inflow orifice  28  which actuates the main valve  2  in the direction that shuts off the water inlet  1 . 
         [0061]    On flushing, when the level in the main cistern  4  falls, the secondary valve  20  is released and water is rapidly evacuated from the upper portion of the float compartment  7  via the flow orifice  19 . On the other hand, the water contained in the ballast tank  8  does not have time to be evacuated via the calibrated flow orifice  9  and the ballast causes the float  6  to descend in the float compartment  7 . The water in the float compartment  7  passes over the rim  29  and is evacuated via the flow orifice  19 . The float  6  then remains in the high position despite the slow draining of the ballast tank  8 . When water rises in the main cistern  4  the secondary valve  20  is closed again. Water then fills the float compartment  7  and causes said float  6  to rise, which triggers the shutting off of the water inlet  1 , and a new cycle can begin. 
         [0062]    In the event of a small leak at its outlet, the water level in the main cistern  4  falls slowly, leading to a drop in the level around the ballast tank  8  and evacuation of water via the flow orifice  19 . The water in the ballast tank  8  then has lime to be evacuated via the calibrated flow orifice  9  while the float compartment  7  remain full, which enables the float  6  to be retained in the high position and prevents water into the main cistern  4 , the latter gradually emptying. For resetting it suffices to depress the operating lever  3  to cause the float  6  to descend in its compartment, which leads to overflowing of the water contained, in the float compartment  7  and opening of the water inlet  1 . 
         [0063]    In the event of a large leak, the main cistern  4  remains empty and water flows continuously. The water contained in the low tank  12  is gradually evacuated via the calibrated flow orifice  18  until the low tank  12  is completely emptied. When the water reaches the height of the low bell  17  the water level, in the high bell  15  rises as the level fells in the low tank  12 , the effect of which is to bring the water level, in the high bell  15  to the level of the mouth of the second tube  11 . This enables the water to overflow into the intermediate tank  14 . The water then overflows into the float compartment  7  with which it communicates. The effect of this is to cause the float  6  to rise and actuate the operating lever  3  to shut off the water inlet  1 . Resetting is effected in the same manner as in the ease of a small leak by depressing the operating lever  3 . 
         [0064]    The operation of the second variant of the invention is different and is explained hereinafter with reference to  FIG. 2 : 
         [0065]    When the cistern is first filled with water the water level rises in the main cistern  4 , the water flowing via the filing column  5  and through the opening  16 . The water arriving via said opening  36  fills the high tank  13 , after which the level remains constant at the height of the overflow  26 . Water then flows through the calibrated passage  30  into the high bell  15 . The water overflows into the overflow tank  22 , passing over the overflow  31 , which enables a constant level to be maintained in the high bell  15 . Water flows from the overflow tank  22  via the orifice  32  to fill the intermediate tank  14 , immersing the second tube  11 . 
         [0066]    The overflow  33  maintains a stable level in the intermediate tank  14 . At the same time, water also flows through the orifice  34  to fill the ballast tank  8  placed above the float  6 . Water that escapes via the calibrated flow orifice  9  then begins to fill the float compartment  7 . On rising in the main cistern  4 , the water completely floods the low tank  12  and expels the air from the low bell  17  via the main tube  10  into the high bell  15 . The effect of this is to cause the water level therein to fall and to evacuate some of the air at its base. When the water level in the main cistern  4  continues to increase the float compartment  7  is, after which the ballast tank  8  is partially immersed, the effect, of which is to cause the float  6  to rise and to shut off the water inlet  1  by the same procedure as for the first variant. 
         [0067]    On flushing, when the level in the main cistern  4  fells, the ballast in the ballast tank  8  causes the float  6  to descend, which in turn causes the operating lever  3  to descend, opening the water inlet  1 . During inflow, water coming from the overflow tank  22  feeds the ballast tank  8  to maintain the float  6  in the low position until the water level in the main cistern  4  reaches the filling level of the float compartment  7 , and then of the ballast tank  8 . Filling then causes the float  6  to rise and shuts off the water inlet. 
         [0068]    In the event of a small leak in the main cistern  4 , the water level falls slowly, leaving the necessary time for the water in the ballast tank  8  to flow through the calibrated flow orifice  9 . The ballast tank  8  is then no longer able to cause the float  6  to descend, which locks the water inlet  1  even if the main cistern  4  is emptied. To reset the device it suffices to depress the operating lever  3 . The effect, of this is to force the float  6  to descend, which causes the water inlet  1  to be opened. The inflowing water fills the ballast tank  8  via the overflow tank  22  and maintains the float  6  in the low position tor normal filling of the main cistern  4 . 
         [0069]    In the event of a large leak the main cistern  4  remains empty and the water in the low tank  12  is gradually evacuated via the calibrated flow orifice  18 . When the water level reaches the level of the low bell  17  the water level in the high bell  15  rises gradually descends in the low bell  17 . The effect of this is to bring the water level in the high bell  15  above the overflow  31  and to the level of the mouth of the second tube  11  in which the water finally flows to the intermediate tank  14 . The overflow tank  22  no longer being fed, it follows that the ballast tank S is progressively emptied, leading to the float  6  rising and therefore shutting of off the water inlet  1 . Resetting is effected in the same manner as in the event of a small leak by depressing the operating lever  3 . 
         [0070]    The operation of the third variant of the invention is explained hereinafter with reference to  FIG. 3 . 
         [0071]    When the cistern is first filled with water, the water level rises in the main cistern  4 , the water flowing via the filling column  5 . The water that arrives via the opening  16  fills the high tank  13 . The level remains constant at the height of the overflow  26 . The water then flows through the calibrated passage  30  into the high bell  15  and then flows through the main tube  10 . On rising in the main cistern  4  the water level blocks the main tube  10  at the bottom, gradually creating an air pressure in the high bell  15  lowering the water level therein below the mouth of the main tube  10 . Water then flows over the overflow  31  and then the manifold  22  to fill the ballast tank  8  positioned above the float  6 . The water that escapes via the calibrated flow orifice  9  then begins to fill the float compartment  7 . As the water level in the main cistern  4  continues to rise, the float compartment  7  is immersed, after which the ballast tank  8  is partially immersed, the effect of which is to cause the float  6  to rise and to shut off the water inlet  1  by the same procedure as for the second variant. The water level in the ballast tank  8  then tails to the same level as the level of the flushing main cistern  4 . This enables a sufficient pressure to be maintained at the inflow orifice  28  in the event of a variation in pressure in the water main. 
         [0072]    On flushing, when the level in the main cistern  4  falls, the ballast in the ballast tank  8  causes the float  6  to descend, which in turn causes the operating lever  3  to descend, opening the water inlet  1 . During inflow, water coming from the manifold  22  feeds the ballast tank  8  with water to hold the float  6  in the low position until the water level in the main cistern  4  reaches the filling level of the float compartment  7  and then of the ballast tank  8 . Filling then causes the float  6  to rise shuts off the water inlet. 
         [0073]    In the event of a small leak in the main cistern  4 , the water level falls slowly, which leaves the necessary time for the water in the ballast tank  8  to flow through the calibrated flow orifice  9 . The ballast tank  8  is then no longer able to cause the float  6  to descend, which maintains the locking of the water inlet  1  even if the main cistern  4  is emptied. 
         [0074]    In the event of a large leak the main cistern  4  remains empty and the main tube  10  is at atmospheric pressure, the effect of which is to bring the water level in the high bell  15  to the level of the mouth of the main tube  10  in which water finally flows to the main cistern  4 . Water no longer passing over the overflow  31 , it follows that the ballast tank  8  is gradually emptied, leading to the float  6  rising and therefore shutting off of the water inlet  1 . Resetting is effected in the same manner as in the event of a small leak by depressing the operating lever  3 . 
         [0075]    The operation of the fourth, variant, of the invention is explained hereinafter with reference to  FIG. 4 . 
         [0076]    When the cistern is first filled with water, the water level rises in the main cistern  4 , water flowing through the filling column  5 . The water that arrives via the inflow orifice  28  fills the high tank  13 . Water then flows through the opening  30  into the annular bell  15 , and then passes over the siphon  48  into the central compartment  50 . From there it flows via the central tube  51  and feeds the float compartment  7 . The rising water level in the main cistern  4  blocks the main tube  10  at its base by gradually creating air pressure in the annular bell  15 . The effect of this is to lower the water level therein below the siphon  48 , the float compartment  7  no longer being fed with water, which is evacuated over the overflow  26 . As the water level in the main cistern  4  continues to rise the float compartment  7  is immersed, the effect of which is to cause the float  6  to rise and to shut off the water inlet  1  by the same procedure as for the first variant. At the same time the operating float  52  ascends and abuts against, the actuating lever  39 . The float  6  is designed, to maintain sufficient pressure on the inlet orifice  28  in the event of variation of the pressure in the water main. 
         [0077]    On flushing, when the level in the main cistern  4  falls, depressing the operating button  53  lowers the maneuvering float  52  via the operating mechanism  49 , which causes the float  6  to descend when released. The latter intern causes the operating lever  3  to descend, which opens the water inlet  1 . During inflow, the float  6  remains in the low position until the-water level in the main cistern  4  reaches the filling level of the float compartment  7 . This causes the float  6  to rise and shuts off the water inlet. 
         [0078]    In the event of a small leak in the main cistern  4 , as the mechanism  49  has not been actuated, the float compartment  7  is not emptied. The float  6  thus remains in the high position, which maintains the locking of the water inlet  1  even if the main cistern  4  is emptied. 
         [0079]    For resetting it suffices to depress the operating button  53  actuating the actuating mechanism  49  which lowers the maneuvering float  52  in the float compartment  7 . This creates an overflow and then a drop in level when the operating button  53  is released and the maneuvering float  52  rises, and therefore causes the float  6  to descend in the float compartment  7  and opening of the water inlet  1 . 
         [0080]    In the event of a large leak the main cistern  4  remains empty and the main tube  10  is at atmospheric pressure, the effect of which is to bring the water level in the annular bell  15  to the level of the siphon  48  in which the water finally flows to the float compartment  7 . This leads to the float  6  rising and thus to shutting off of the water inlet  1 . Resetting is effected in the same way as in the event of a small leak by actuating the operating button  53 . 
         [0081]    The combination of actuating mechanisms  49  creating an overflow for opening the water inlet  1  on flushing or for resetting following a leak and the operating principle of the detection and failsafe device for a large leak ( FIG. 1 ) enables the ballast tank  8  to be dispensed with; such a feature enables calibrated orifices to be dispensed with, thereby improving the reliability of the device. The embodiment represented in  FIG. 4  explains this operating principle. 
         [0082]    The same result can be obtained by eliminating the ballast tank  8  of the  FIG. 1  device and the upper portion of the float compartment  7  with its dedicated pipe  21  and the secondary valve  20 . 
         [0083]    The solutions for detecting and dealing with large leaks and small leaks may be combined differently between the variants  1 ,  2 ,  3  and  4 , for example by producing the tubes  10 ,  11 , the tanks  12 ,  13 ,  14  and the bells  15 ,  17  according to  FIG. 1  and the float compartment  7  and the float  6  according to  FIG. 4  or, conversely, the main tube  10 , the high tank  13  and the high bell  15  according to  FIG. 4  with a float compartment  7  and a float  6  according to  FIG. 1 . 
         [0084]    For each of the four variants of  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3  and  4  there may also be produced a variant without the tube or tubes  10 ,  11 , the tanks  12 ,  13 ,  14  and the bells  15 ,  17 ; the resulting variant then enables detection of small leaks and shutting off the water inlet  1  in the event of a small leak but cannot alleviate large leaks. These variants do not depart from the scope of the present invention. Such variants may where appropriate utilize a different solution for large leaks. 
         [0085]    There may also be produced for each of these variants a variant comprising the tubes  10 ,  11 , the tanks  12 ,  13 ,  14  and the bells  15 ,  17 , but comprising a float, compartment different from the solution conforming to the invention. Small leaks are detected otherwise, or are not detected, but large leaks are then detected and treated in accordance with the invention. 
         [0086]    A number of possible variants of the device concern the resetting mechanism  47 . This may be coupled to the operating lever  3  of the cistern or be constituted of an additional button. Resetting may also be independent of flushing, for example using a groove crossing the orifice of the main cistern  4  in line with the feed connection or via a second channel molded in the latter and provided for this purpose enabling different modes of actuation. For example, this maybe a mode of actuation that is mechanical, using a cable in a sheath, or pneumatic, using a bellows, or electromechanical, or otherwise. 
         [0087]    Two more particularly interesting variants of the resetting mechanism  47  are described here with reference to  FIGS. 5 and 6 . 
         [0088]    With reference to variant  2  of the invention,  FIG. 5  shows a float compartment  7  including a float  6 , a ballast tank  8  and a bell  35  positioned under the float  6 . Said bell  35  is connected by a pipe  36  to the interior of a piston  37  disposed in a cylinder  38 . Said piston  37  is associated with a lever  39  enabling the user of the flushing cistern to tower the piston  37  for resetting. 
         [0089]    When, the main cistern  4  is filled with water, the cylinder  38  is fed with water coming from the inlet, for example from the overflow  26 . The cylinder  38  is then gradually filled, raising the piston  37  by virtue of its internal float, the piston  37  coming to abut against the lever  39 . When the inflowing water floods the float compartment  7  and the ballast tank  8 , the air in the bell  35  is replaced by water and expelled via the pipe  36  toward, the piston  37 , reducing the water level in the latter. In the event of a small or large leak the ballast tank  8  is empty and in the high position and the float compartment  7  is filled with water up to the rim  40 . By depressing the piston  37  by means of the actuator lever  39  the air in the piston  37  is compressed and then transferred to the bell  35 , taking the place of the water therein, which is evacuated over the rim  40 . When the lever  39  is released the piston  37  rises, rebalancing the pressure, the water in the float compartment  7  fills the bell  35  again, causing the level to fall and the float  6  to descend, the effect of which is to open the water inlet  1  and start another filling cycle. The piston  37  and its cylinder  38  may be replaced with the bellows  41  from  FIG. 6 . 
         [0090]    In a second resetting variant shown in  FIG. 6  the piston  37  is replaced by a bellows  41  and a cylinder  46 . The bellows  41  is connected by a pipe to a vessel  42  filled with the inflowing water when filling the main cistern  4 , which vessel includes internally a bell  45 . Said vessel further includes a pouring spout  43  and a flow orifice  44 . The latter is calibrated to evacuate just the water top-up flow enabling the level in the vessel to be maintained below that of the pouring spout  43 . 
         [0091]    A first resetting maneuver is necessary at the time of the first filling with water to arm the device. Via the lever  39  the cylinder  46  then compresses the bellows  41 , expelling the air via the connecting pipe to the bell  45 . The air is then evacuated at the base of the latter, and water takes it place when the resetting button is released. 
         [0092]    When the actuating lever  39  is operated for resetting the cylinder  46  is lowered, expelling air from the bellows  41  to the bell  45 . This air expels the water under the bell  45  and causes its evacuation via the pouring spout  43 . Said pooling spout  43  is positioned above the ballast tank  8  so as to receive this overflow water. Filling the ballast tank  8  consequently causes the float  6  to descend and the water inlet  1  into the main cistern  4  to open. 
         [0093]    The resetting mechanisms  47  shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6  are also used as actuating mechanisms  49 . 
         [0094]    Of course, the mention is not limited to the embodiments described and represented by way of example, but also comprises all technical equivalents and their combinations.
     1 . Water inlet     2 . Main valve     3 . Operating lever     4 . Main cistern     5 . Filling column     6 . Float     7 . Float compartment     8 . Ballast tank     9 . Calibrated flow orifice     10 . Main tube     11 . Second tube     12 . High tank     13 . Low tank     14 . Intermediate tank     15 . High bell, annular bell     16 . Opening     17 . Low bell     18 . Calibrated flow orifice     19 . Flow orifice     20 . Secondary valve     21 . Dedicated pipe     22 . Overflow tank     23 . Pan     24 . Support part     25 . Adjustment screw     26 . Overflow     27 . Rim     28 . Inlet orifice     29 . Rim     30 . Opening     31 . Overflow     32 . Orifice     33 . Overflow     34 . Orifice     35 . Bell     36 . Pipe     37 . Piston     38 . Tank     39 . Lever, actuating lever     40 . Rim     41 . Bellows     42 . Tank     43 . Pouring spout     44 . Flow orifice     45 . Bell     46 . Cylinder     47 . Resetting or actuating mechanism     48 . Siphon     49 . Actuating mechanism     50 . Central compartment     51 . Central tube     52 . Maneuvering float     53 . Operating button