Abstract:
A flusher assembly includes a main body adapted for mounting to a toilet tank; and a flush handle assembly having a shaft rotatably mounted within the main body and operable in a full flush rotation position and a limited flush rotation. The assembly is simple, reliable and efficiently manufactured, and allows selection of full or limited volume flushing of toilets and, thereby, conservation of water.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO PROVISIONAL APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of the filing date of provisional application Ser. No. 60/599,409 filed Aug. 6, 2004. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The invention relates to flushing assemblies for toilets such as flapper-style toilets and the like, and more particularly, to a flushing assembly which allows the user to select the volume of flush desired and thereby save water when a full flush is not needed.  
         [0003]     So-called water saving toilets are known in the art, and are intended to conserve water by reducing the water used in a flush. Unfortunately, these toilets and associated flushing systems tend to use far more water than intended, and nevertheless provide a single volume flush. The need exists for an improved method of conserving water during operation of a toilet.  
         [0004]     It is therefore the primary object of the present invention to provide an apparatus which allows improved conservation of water.  
         [0005]     It is a further object of the present invention to provide such an apparatus which is simple in manufacture, simple to install, and simple and reliable in use.  
         [0006]     Other objects and advantages of the present invention will appear below.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     In accordance with the present invention, the foregoing objects and advantages have been readily attained.  
         [0008]     According to the invention, a flushing assembly is provided which comprises a main body adapted for mounting to a toilet tank; and a flush handle assembly comprising a shaft rotatably mounted within the main body and operable in a full flush rotation position and a limited flush rotation position.  
         [0009]     In accordance with the present invention, the two different operative positions of the flush handle assembly allow a user to selectively perform a full flush when needed, and a limited volume flush when sufficient, so that to conserve water.  
         [0010]     The structure of the flush handle assembly is configured such that, in the limited flush rotation position, the flush handle assembly can be operated only to cause a partial flush of the toilet and, thereby, only allow a portion of the normal volume of a full flush to pass into the bowl.  
         [0011]     Additional details of the present invention will be more clear upon a consideration of the following detailed description. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]     A detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention follows, with reference to the attached drawings, wherein:  
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a top view of the main body of a flushing assembly in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is a side view of a portion of a main body and a shaft of the flush handle assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  is an end view of a main body component of a flushing assembly in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0016]      FIG. 4  schematically illustrates operation of an apparatus In accordance with the present invention;  
         [0017]      FIG. 4   a  further schematically illustrates a portion of the main body and a portion of a shaft of the flush handle assembly in the two different operating positions in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0018]      FIG. 5  illustrates the main body portion of an alternative embodiment of the flushing assembly of the present invention; and  
         [0019]      FIG. 6  schematically illustrates a further alternative embodiment In accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0020]     The invention relates to a flushing assembly for use in toilets which flush through pivot of a portion of a handle assembly wherein the amount of pivot controls the volume of the flush. One non-limiting example of such a toilet is a flapper-style toilet, although other styles of toilet, for example some pressure type toilets, can also advantageously operate with the apparatus of the present invention. Flapper-style toilets, are well known, and have a water tank wherein a supply of water is stored for use in flushing. Inside the tank, there is a flapper valve which can be lifted to allow the water within the tank to flush the bowl of the toilet in well known fashion. In order to perform a flush, the flapper is typically connected through a chain or other connector to a lift arm, which itself is operatively connected to a handle external of the tank. Thus, pushing of the handle lifts the lift arm and opens the flapper to perform a flush.  
         [0021]     In accordance with the present invention, a flusher assembly is provided which advantageously has two different flush positions, one wherein a normal full flush rotation can be performed, and another where only a limited flush rotation can be performed, wherein the limited rotation is sufficient to partially lift the flapper and allow some water to escape the tank into the bowl, but wherein the flapper is not fully lifted to perform a complete flush as with normal operation. This advantageously allows a user to perform a limited flush rotation when such a flush will be sufficient, and to configure the flushing assembly into the proper position for performing a full flush rotation when needed.  
         [0022]      FIGS. 1-3  schematically illustrate elements of the flushing assembly in accordance with the present invention. In this regard,  FIG. 1  is a top partially schematic view of the main body portion of a flushing assembly.  FIG. 2  shows a shaft  12  of a flush handle assembly in accordance with the present invention and a portion of a main body  10  into which the shaft is rotatably mounted.  
         [0023]     As will be evident from a discussion of details to follow,  FIG. 1  is a top view of one embodiment In accordance with the present invention, while  FIG. 2  shows certain structures in an inverted position to illustrate that various positioning of components are all when within the broad scope of the present invention. Referring further to  FIG. 1 , main body  10  advantageously defines an inner passage  14  into which shaft  12  is rotatably positioned, and main body  10  is typically mounted through a tank wall  18  and secured in tank wall  18  using a nut  20  in well known fashion.  
         [0024]     As shown in  FIG. 2 , shaft  12  typically has a handle  16  which, in well known fashion, can be used to impart rotation of shaft  12  relative to main body  10  in well known fashion so as to cause a flush as desired.  
         [0025]     Returning to  FIG. 1 , main body  10  advantageously has a slot  22  which, in this embodiment, is positioned at an end  24  which faces toward the inside of the tank. This end  24  will be referred to herein as a tank-inside facing end.  
         [0026]     Also as shown in  FIG. 1 , in one preferred embodiment, a return stop  26  can advantageously be positioned extending further into the tank from end  24 , and advantageously having a return surface  28  aligned with slot  22 . As will be further discussed below, stop  26  advantageously helps to insure proper return of the flushing assembly to a rest position within slot  22  following a full flush.  
         [0027]     In accordance with the invention, shaft  12  advantageously has a rest position relative to main body  10 , and can advantageously be biased toward this rest position, but can be moved axially, along a longitudinal axis of shaft  12 , relative to main body  10 , into a different rotating position. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the rest position is a position wherein a surface, preferably a pin  30  ( FIG. 2 ) is positioned within slot  22  so that rotation of shaft  12  relative to main body  10  is limited by the extent to which pin  30  can rotate within slot  22 . The amount of rotation allowed, which is dictated by the position of stop surface  32 , should be selected to be sufficient to allow a lifting of the flapper of only a relatively small degree, for example, about one-half to one and one-half inches more or less, depending upon chain slack and other flapper or flushing mechanism variables. The amount of rotation should be sufficient to allow limited water flow from the tank to the bowl of the toilet, preferably suitable for clearing a bowl containing only liquid and paper waste, without causing a full flush.  
         [0028]     When shaft  12  is moved axially relative to main body to the full flush rotation position, which is as is illustrated in  FIG. 2 , pin  30  is not radially within slot  22 , and shaft  12  can therefore rotate normally relative to main body to allow a complete rotation and, thereby, a complete lifting of the lift arm structure and full lifting of the connected flapper as is well know.  
         [0029]     A spring  34 , schematically illustrated in  FIG. 2 , can advantageously be provided within inner passage  14  and engage between shaft  12  and main body  10  so as to bias shaft  12  toward the limited flush rotation position. In this regard, spring  34  can be seated between a spring stop surface  36  defined within main body  10 , and a shoulder  38  of shaft  12 . Of course, other structures can be defined within main body  10  or on shaft  12  to similarly engage with spring  34 . For example, instead of should  38 , shaft  12  could be provided having an additional pin or other structure against which spring  34  can apply its force.  
         [0030]     The rear illustration of  FIG. 3  further shows additional detail of main body  10 . Referring to FIGS.  1  and  3  collectively, main body  10  typically has a head  40  which typically lies outside the tank wall  18  when installed therein. Head  40  can have a rearwardly projecting inner portion  42 , in this embodiment a square inner portion  42 , which is configured to fit the opening within tank wall  18  and thereby prevent rotation of main body  10  relative to tank wall  18  when mounted therein.  
         [0031]     A sleeve or substantially cylindrical portion extends further toward the inside of the tank from head  40  and square inner portion  42 , and this sleeve is referred to as element  44 . Sleeve  44  in the embodiment shown has threads which engage with nut  20  to allow for mounting. Sleeve  44  also advantageously defines inner passage  14 , and end  24  having slots  22  and return stop  26 , all as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . Main body  10  can be formed of any suitable material, either as a plastic injection molded or otherwise formed part, or can be made through any other well know manufacturing process.  
         [0032]     Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 4   a,  operation of the apparatus in accordance with the present invention is further illustrated.  
         [0033]      FIG. 4  schematically shows handle  16  and a lift arm  46  connected through a chain  48  to a flapper  50 . In accordance with the present invention, two different operating positions are defined by the shaft and flushing assembly of  FIGS. 1-3  which are positioned between handle  16  and lift arm  45 . In the limited flush rotation position, which is preferably the rest position of the apparatus of the present invention, pin  30  is positioned within slot  22  as schematically illustrated in  FIG. 4   a  as the left position of pin  30  in the drawing. As shown, slot  22  and, particularly, stop surface  32 , engages pin  30  upon rotation of shaft  12  and resulting pivot of pin  30 , and prevents shaft  12  and pin  30  from rotating beyond the point of contact of pin  30  with stop surface  32 . This amount of rotation is selected to provide only a limited lift of lift arm  46  and, resultingly, only a limited lift of flapper  50 , as schematically illustrated in  FIG. 4  by the relatively smaller arrows at handle  16 , lift arm  46  and flapper  50 . When a full flush is desired, the assembly is configured to the full flush rotation position, which is accomplished with the preferred embodiment by axially positioning shaft  12  toward the inside of the tank so as to axially slide pin  30  out of slot  22  the right-side position of pin  30  as shown in  FIG. 4   a.  In this position, stop surface  32  of slot  22  is not aligned to prevent rotation of pin  30 . Thus, a full or otherwise normally allowed range of rotation of shaft  12  and pivot of pin  30  can be accomplished in this position. This results in a full rotation of handle  16 , a full lift of lift arm  46  and a full opening of flapper  50  as schematically illustrated in  FIG. 4  by the relatively larger arrows.  
         [0034]     After pin  30  has been pivoted along with rotation of shaft  12  to a flush position, the weight of lift arm  46  or any other structure biases the handle  16  and lift arm  46  back to a rest position. In a limited flush, this will result in pin  30  returning back toward the return surface  52  of slot  22 . When returning from a full flush, pin  30  is outside of slot  22 . If the return movement is sufficiently rapid, pin  30  could skip past slot  22  and remain outside of same for the next flush. Since this is undesirable, in accordance with the preferred embodiment, return stop  26  is positioned as schematically also illustrated in  FIG. 4   a,  and return stop  26  catches pin  30  when pin  30  is in alignment with slot  22  so that the bias of spring  34  can push shaft  12  to the rest position with pin  30  inside slot  22  as desired. In order to accomplish this, it is most preferred that return stop  26  have stop surface  28  aligned, preferably coplanar, with return surface  52  of slot  22  as shown.  
         [0035]     In accordance with a further alternative embodiment of the present invention, and as shown in  FIG. 1 , tank-inside facing end  24  of main body  10  can advantageously have a sloped portion  54  which is positioned to help guide pin  30  back into slot  22  during return rotation after a flush in the full flush rotation position. Thus, in this embodiment, end  24  has a surface or portion  54  which is sloped relative to a perpendicular plane with respect to the axis  56  of main body  10 . Advantageously, the slope of portion  54  is toward slot  22  as shown in  FIG. 1 . Of course, different angles of the sloped portion  54  can be selected depending upon effectiveness of positioning pin  30  within slot  22  as desired.  FIG. 5  shows a further alternative embodiment in accordance with the present invention wherein a spring insertion access  58  is provided to allow for positioning of spring  34  within inner passage  14  so that components of the shaft assembly can be inserted through inner passage  14  and spring  34  after positioning of the spring. Access  50  can therefore advantageously be opening through the side wall of sleeve  44  which is of sufficient size to position the spring there through, preferably with some compression of the spring so that the spring extends beyond the extent of access  58  after proper positioning within inner passage  14 .  
         [0036]     Turning now to  FIG. 6 , a further alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, main body  10  is of an alternative configuration wherein the threads are positioned in a different location for securing to the tank wall. Of course, this is an alternative to the structure shown in the other figures, and numerous other structures for mounting in the tank wall can be used, all well within the broad scope of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 6 , sleeve  44   a  of main body  10   a  has a series of slot portions  60 ,  62 ,  64  defined therein. A first slot portion  60  is a radial slot and is positioned to define a limited range of motion in the limited flush rotation position. Slot  62  is a second radial slot and has a radial length which is greater than slot  60 , and slot  62  corresponds to a full flush rotation position. Axial slot  64  advantageously connects slot  60  and  62  such that pin  30  can travel along slot  60 ,  62 ,  64  for operation as desired within slot  60  and  64 , and positioning between slots  60  and  64  through slot  62 . Preferably, axial slot  62  is positioned connecting a rest or return-position end of slot  60 ,  64 , such that axial positioning of pin  30  relative to main body  10   a  is accomplished when the assembly is in the rest position.  
         [0037]     Slot  60 ,  62 ,  64  are advantageously sized to receive pin  30  with a small amount of clearance to provide for a smooth but reliable operation as desired.  
         [0038]     As mention above, it should be appreciated that slot  22  can be positioned in any of a large number of different positions in the structure of main body  10 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , slot  22  is positioned in a substantially 12-o&#39;clock position. In the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , slot is positioned at the opposite position, or at approximately 6-o&#39;clock. It should be appreciated that this structure can be defined at any other location around the periphery of main body  10 , and can also be positioned in other places besides end face  24 . End face  24  is desired, however, due to ease of assembly since slot  22  can easily accept pin  30  during assembly of the device.  
         [0039]     From a consideration of the foregoing, it should be readily appreciated that a simple and effective method and structure have been provided to allow for different volumes of flushing as desired and selected by a user, which advantageously provides the desired function of allowing a user to select the volume of a flush of the toilet depending upon the needs of the particular circumstances. Specifically, the limited flush will generally be suitable when the toilet contains only liquid and/or paper waste. Further, when a full flush is necessary, the assembly is easily operated to provide for same.  
         [0040]     In further accordance with the invention, it may also be desirable to provide indicia, for example, on the handle  16 , which conveys to a user that a full flush can be accomplished by axially displacing the handle assembly relative to the main body. This can be conveyed through text, for example, “push for full flush”, or with arrows and pictures or the like.  
         [0041]     It should be appreciated that the present invention provides an apparatus which operates in an easy and reliable fashion. The apparatus of the present invention also eliminates complicated mechanisms which might otherwise be attempted in order to provide the function of the present invention, such that the present invention provides simple manufacture and can be used simply and dependably for an extended period of time.  
         [0042]     It should also be appreciated that the above detailed description provides explanation of various preferred embodiments of the present invention. However, these embodiments are illustrated only, and are not to be construed as limiting upon the scope of the present invention, which instead is defined by the claims which follow.