Bypass valve for a toilet system

In a toilet system wherein the bowl is evacuated by a pump, the intake side of which is connected by a first conductor to the bowl and the discharge side of which is connected by a second conductor to a waste pipe, a bypass conductor connecting the first conductor to the waste pipe and a valve at the junction operable when the pump is disabled to permit the bowl to be flushed through the bypass conductor.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
Toilet systems wherein effluent is flushed from a toilet bowl into a 
treating tank for treatment and then discharged into a waste pipe are 
well-known as, for example, the system in U.S. Ser. No. 147,484, filed May 
7, 1980. In such a system, if the pump by means of which discharge is 
effected becomes inoperative or there is a power failure, there is no way 
of flushing the system until the pump has been restored to operation and 
this may be extremely embarrassing if there is no other facility 
available. It is the purpose of this invention to provide for flushing the 
toilet bowl independently of the discharge pipe so that the toilet can be 
used effectively whenever necessary until the repairs of the pump or power 
supply can be completed. 
SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
A toilet system comprising a toilet bowl, treating tank and primary 
conductor connecting the bowl to the tank wherein a pump is connected to 
the treating tank for evacuating the treated effluent and discharging it 
into a waste pipe and a bypass conductor connects the primary conductor to 
the waste pipe and a valve member at the junction of the primary conductor 
and the bypass conductor is responsive to a positive pressure in the 
primary conductor to direct the effluent from the primary conductor into 
the bypass conductor and from thence into the soil pipe. The valve is held 
in the closed position by negative pressure created by the pump. Positive 
pressure to open the valve is provided by manually dumping flush water 
into the toilet bowl in sufficient amount to create a head in the primary 
conductor which will open the valve. Optionally, means is provided for 
supplying flush water to the toilet bowl in such quantity as to produce 
the aforesaid head and means for simultaneously mechanically opening the 
valve.

Referring to the drawing, there is shown a trap 10 comprising an inclined 
portion 12 connected at its lower end to one end of a conductor 14, the 
other end of which is connected to the bottom of a toilet bowl not shown 
and a vertical portion 16 connected at its lower end to a treating tank 18 
within which effluent flushed from the bowl is to be treated before 
discharge. A pump 20 supported at the top of the treating tank provides 
for evacuating the treating tank and discharging the treated effluent 
through a conductor 22, one end of which is connected to the discharge 
side of the pump 20 and the other end of which is connected by way of a 
bypass conductor 24 to a soil pipe 26. 
In a system of this kind, if the pump 20 becomes inoperative for mechanical 
reasons or because of power failure, effluent cannot be flushed from the 
toilet bowl until the repair is made and this can be quite embarrassing if 
there is no other facility available. It is the purpose of this invention 
to rectify this situation so that the toilet can continue to be used as 
often as needed until the repairs can be consummated. This is achieved 
herein by providing the bypass conductor 24 referred to above, one end of 
which is connected to the waste pipe 26 and the other end of which is 
connected to the vertical portion 16 of the trap 10 by way of a flapper 
valve 28. To accomplish this, the vertical portion 16 of the trap is 
provided with flanged openings 30,32 within which there is positioned a 
coupling 34 provided with a radial flange 36. The valve 28 which is 
comprised of a flexible material is clamped to the flange 36 by means of 
an opposing flange 38 at the end of the bypass conductor 24. 
As thus constructed, in the normal operation position when the toilet is 
flushed, the pump 20 operates to evacuate the treating chamber 18, thus to 
induce flow from the toilet bowl. The flow of effluent is vertically 
downward as indicated by the arrow a and this downward flow produces a 
negative pressure at the left-hand side of the valve member 28 which, 
together with its own elasticity which tends to maintain it in a vertical 
position, maintains the bypass conductor 24 closed so that the effluent 
flows into the treating tank 18 for treatment before it is discharged. If, 
however, the pump 20 becomes inoperative or there is a power failure and 
flow cannot be maintained through the pump, the system can be used by 
dumping water into the toilet bowl in sufficient volume so that it 
produces a head of fluid in the vertical position 16 of the trap 
sufficiently high to create a positive pressure which will displace the 
valve 28 and discharge then will take place directly through the bypass 24 
to the soil pipe. 
Optionally, a secondary supply of flush water may be provided controlled by 
a flooding valve "V." The flooding valve "V" is linked to or coupled to a 
push rod 40 which manually holds the flapper valve 28 closed until a head 
of water is observed in the bowl, whereupon the valve is quickly closed 
and the push rod is withdrawn so as to release the flapper valve to empty 
the trap and bowl of its contents. 
The apparatus as described provides a very simple expedient for maintaining 
effective operation of a toilet system in spite of failure and while it is 
illustrated and used in conjunction with the system shown in the aforesaid 
application for patent, it is within the scope of the invention to employ 
it in conjunction with any toilet system within which it can be 
incorporated for the purpose intended. 
It should be understood that the present disclosure is for the purpose of 
illustration only and includes all modifications or improvements which 
fall within the scope of the appended claims.