Flush valve for water closets

A flush mechanism for a water closet include a housing fixable to a toilet flush tank outlet and a float body removable within the housing for controlling water discharge through the tank outlet. A hydraulic assist valve is disposed within the float body and moveable therein for causing upward opening movement of the float body in order to reduce exterior operational force required to operate the float body.

The present invention is generally related to flush mechanisms for water closets and is more specifically directed to flush mechanisms with reduced requirements for operational force.

At present, water resources have dictated the use of efficient toilets/water closets. In that regard, to improve flush efficiency and save water, many toilet designs have raised tank water levels and/or increased outlet or discharge diameter.

Unfortunately, these improvements increase the pressure of the seal, which not only diminishes the valve durability, but also requires much greater manual force for operation. This increased force is an inconvenience and often difficult to overcome.

The flush mechanism in accordance with the present invention provides for the use of large outlet diameter valves while reducing the force required to operate such valves.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides for a flush mechanism for a water closet with the mechanism including a housing fixable to a toilet flush tank outlet along with a float body, moveable within the housing, for controlling water discharge through the tank outlet. Tank outlet diameter of 3-4 inches or more are contemplated and feasible as the result of the flush mechanism in accordance with the present invention.

More particularly, valve means are provided which are disposed in the float body for hydraulically assisting upward movement of the float which thereby reduces exterior operational force required to operate the float body.

In other words, the present invention provides for a hydraulic assist valve which is disposed in the float body and moveable therewith for causing upward opening movement of the float body in order to reduce exterior operational force.

Still more particularly, the valve means in accordance with the present invention includes an upper flush valve chamber and a moveable seat releasably engaging a float seal for releasing water from the upper flush valve chamber into the tank outlet. Upon such release, the upper flush valve chamber seat and the seal rise with the float body in order to discharge a water through the tank outlet.

A flow control chamber is provided and is in fluid communication with the upper flush valve chamber through a least one hole. In addition a cover for sealing a hole is provided which is connected to a buoyant counterweight.

A slide mechanism is provided for controlling water flow through the hole into the upper flush chamber in order to control downward movement of the float body and stop the discharge of water through the tank outlet.

In addition, a spring may be provided for both biasing the seat against the float seal and also assisting upward movement of the upper flush valve chamber and float body.

More particularly, the seat may be formed at an end of a moveable overflow tube and downward movement of the tube separates the seat from the float seal. In addition, the buoyant counterweight and cover are disposed in the flow control chamber with the counterweight connected to the cover for opening the cover over the hole when the counterweight is in a downward position and closing the cover when a counterweight is in an upward position. In operation, the counterweight moves to the downward position upon loss of buoyancy.

The hereinabove noted slide mechanism may include an adjustable door for controlling water flow into the control chamber.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference toFIGS. 1-3, there is shown a flush mechanism10in accordance with the present invention which generally includes a housing12fixable to a toilet flush tank outlet16by way of threads20with a seal22therebetween.

A float body26moveable within the housing12is provided for controlling water discharge through the tank outlet16,FIG. 2showing a float body in a closed position andFIG. 3showing the float body26in a raised, or open position enabling water discharge indicated by the arrows30from a water tank32through the outlet16as will be hereinafter described in greater detail.

A valve36disposed in the float body26provides a means for hydraulically assisting the upward movement of the float body26thereby reducing exterior operational force required to operated the float body.

The float body26may cover the flush tank outlet16which may have a diameter of three to four or more inches and accordingly depending upon the head of water in the tank require significant force to move. A large opening is required in modern water closets in order to provide momentum in an initial discharge water sufficient to provide efficient clearing of a toilet bowl, not shown.

Operation of the flush mechanism10is illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3. Depression of an overflow tube40attached to an overflow seal seat44by a conventional lever mechanism48in the direction of the arrow52shown inFIG. 2separates the seat44from an upper float seal56, as illustrated in broken line inFIG. 2. This discharges water from an upper flush valve chamber60as indicated by arrows62through the flush tank outlet16and provides buoyancy to the chamber60which is rapidly moved upward, indicated by the arrow66by the inrush of water indicated by the arrows30.

Thus, the valve36hydraulically assists the opening upward movement of the float body26and since less force is required to open the valve36than the float body26, the required exterior operational force to operate the float body26is significantly reduced. Upon upward movement of the float body26, a lower flapper seal68is separated from a discharge body portion72of the housing12.

With specific reference toFIG. 3, the mechanism10further includes a flow control chamber76which communicates with the upper flush valve chamber60through at least one hole80.

Access to the flow control chamber76is provided through a slide mechanism84which includes an adjustable port86for controlling water flow into the flow control chamber76and through the hole. Movement of the slide mechanism indicated by the arrow88, positions a slider door90to adjust the port86size. Water flow through the hole80from the flow control chamber76and through the port86controls downward movement of the float body26which in turn stops discharge water through the tank outlet.

Again, with specific reference toFIG. 3, a cover92and buoyant counterweight96are disposed in the flow control chamber76with the counterweight96connected to the cover. A lever100is pivotable about a pin102in order that the hole80is open when the counterweight96is in a downward position, as shown in bold line inFIG. 3, and closed when the counterweight is in an upper position, shown in dashed line inFIG. 3. The counterweight96moves to the downward position upon loss of buoyancy when water is drained from the flow control chamber76through the upper flush valve chamber60.

A spring104is provided for both biasing the seat44against the seal56and further assisting the upward movement of the float body26and flush valve chamber60.

Although there has been hereinabove described a specific improved flush valve for water closets in accordance with the present invention for the purpose of illustrating the manner in which the invention may be used to advantage, it should be appreciated that the invention is not limited thereto. That is, the present invention may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of the recited elements. Further, the invention illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein. Accordingly, any and all modifications, variations or equivalent arrangements which may occur to those skilled in the art, should be considered to be within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.