WATER SAVING CISTERN FOR TOILETS

Abstract: The invention relates to a cistern (3) with tank (4) and a ball cock (6) inside operated by a flushing rod (7 or 25) which has the means of reducing water consumption, characterised in that a device (8) which allows the ball cock (6) to make its normal upwards movement when the flushing rod is pulled, or alternatively to limit its upwards movement to a distance shorter than would normally be achieved without use of this device.

Description: "Water saving cistern for toilets" This invention relates to a cistern with ball cock which is operated by means of a flushing rod. It incorporates a device which ensures that water consumption is kept to a minimum. It is a common fact that the toilet uses a large water supply, even though this is not always necessary. Specifically, after the toilet is used for urinating, there is less water needed for flushing than after the toilet is used for defecation. Usually, the cistern fills up after each flush until the stop cock closes. The only way to modify the amount of water used in relation to the amount needed is to control the amount of water released from the cistern when the toilet is flushed. There are existing systems which can be installed into the cistern which involve a double use of the flushing mechanism or which comprise one or more stop cocks . These existing systems are relatively complicated, very often expensive and not always suitable to be installed on existing toilets. This means that practically the whole inside mechanism, or in some cases, the complete cistern tank has to be replaced. The cistern tank according to the invention has for an object to reduce the water consumption, which means have a simple construction and are relatively cheap. To enable this according to the invention, said means are comprised of a device which allows one to choose the flushing action used. This is done by controlling the height at which the flushing rod is pulled. The device works efficiently with a regular flushing rod and allows a reduced movement of the ball cock by reducing the movement of the rod. Even though this device can be installed inside the water tank, it is preferable to place it on the outside which allows an easier installation on existing toilets. The device incorporates a removable stop which can be adjusted preferably, and which, in one position, allows the flush mechanism to move freely and in other positions limits the movement. In an other embodiment the device incorporates an extra flush control with a limited movement which can be used if desired and which, when used, influences the normal flush mechanism in such a way that it allows only a limited movement. The invention also relates to a device for reducing the water consumption but intended for use on earlier designs of cisterns. The new device can consequently immediately be merchandised and can be installed on existing designs of cisterns. In order to clearly illustrate the characteristics of the invention, the following preferable embodiments, given by way of an example and not limiting for the invention, of a cistern tank and the appropriate device according to the invention needed to limit the water consumption, are described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 shows a toilet with cistern, fitted with a device to reduce water consumption relating to the invention, but at the same time making it possible to flush in the normal manner. Figure 2 shows a frontal view on a larger scale of the section indicated in figure 1 with reference F2. Figure 3 shows a side view indicated by arrow F3 in figure 2. Figure 4 shows a top view indicated by arrow F4 in figure 2. Figure 5 shows a frontal view of the area indicated in figure 1 with F2 , in which it is possible to flush using a limited amount of water. Figure 6 shows a frontal view similar to Figure 2, relating to a cistern with push button. Figure 7 shows the frontal view of figure 6 relating to another embodiment of the water reducing device in another position. Figures 8 and 9 illustrate schematically the working of the cistern according to the invention. Figure 1 shows a cistern with a flushing system comprised of a toilet bowl 1, a toilet seat with lid 2 and a cistern 3 containing the water used for flushing. The cistern 3 is comprised of a tank 4 with a lid 5. A ball cock 6 is installed in the tank 4 which normally closes at the outlet. In the tank is also installed a mechanism which controls the ball cock using an external flushing device, in the given example a rod 7 which is operated by pulling. This operating mechanism is well known and therefore not described in the text in full detail. installed in the tank which controls the stop cock and allows water to enter the cistern up to a certain level . It is important that the device is fitted into the tank 4 preferably as illustrated, which controls the amount of water used, more specifically by limiting the height at which the flushing rod 7 is pulled. The device 8 which is shown in detail in figure 2 to figure 5 is comprised of a stand with a base 9 and a support which is made of a supporting rod 10 mounted on the base 9 and a "stop" which can be adjusted in height but more importantly can be rotated around the supporting rod 10. The base 9 is fixed next to the flushing rod 7 on the lid 5 of the tank 4. The stop consists of a round disc 11 eccentrically rotating around a bearing 12 surrounding the supporting rod 10. The supporting rod 10 has a groove 13 covering its full length. The end of the screw 14 which is fitted through the bearing 12 is aligned to this groove. The screw keeps the bearing 12 at the desired height and prevents it from turning around the rod. The way in which the device work is relatively simple and is as follows : The height of the disc 11 is lower than the height of the top of the flushing rod 7 when it is pulled to its maximum height as shown by the dotted lines in figure 2. When the disc 11 is rotated in the opposite direction to the flushing rod as shown in figures 2 to 4 , the flushing rod can be pulled to its maximum height. This allows the ball cock 6 to function as normal and allows the tank 4 to empty completely. On the other hand, when the disc 11 is rotated 180° to the position shown in figure 5, the flushing rod 7, when pulled, will hit the disc 11 allowing it only to be pulled to a certain height. In this case, the ball cock 6 will also be lifted to a limited height and will allow water to flow out of the tank 4 as long as the flushing rod 7 is being pulled. This flow will be of such a nature that the flushing action will be adequate. When the device is placed in this position, it is thus possible to flush by using a limited amount of water . Due to the fact that there is still a considerable amount of water above the ball cock 6, the ball cock will not stay in an upright position but will immediately fall down and close the cistern 3 once the flushing rod 7 is released, allowing the cistern 3 to be refilled. In a similar version, the stand 9, 10, 11 can be lower in height and mounted on the flushing rod. The disc 11 which can be rotated works in one position together with a stationary stop which is fitted on the lid 5 next to the flushing rod 7. The previously described device can also be used in a similar way on a toilet with a push button flushing system. In this case, the stand 9, 10, 11 is also fitted on the flushing control system as shown in figures 6 and 7. When the disc 11 is in alignment with the base 9 as shown in figure 6, the push button 25 can be used normally and therefore the toilet will flush using the maximum amount of water. The disc 11 will not restrict the action of the push button (25) but will allow it to fully enter the opening in the lid 5 in which the button 25 is fitted. When, however, the disc is rotated in such a way that it is in the sideways position as shown in figure 5, the disc will form a stop which will work together with a stationary stop which is fitted on the lid 5 or, will work with the lid itself as shown in the previous figure. The disc 11 limits the pushing action of the button 25 and also the upwards motion of the ball cock 6 keeping the water use therefore to a minimum. In the previously described embodiments, the disc 11 can be replaced by an arm. The previously described devices 8 are constructed in a relatively simple way but allow large savings of water. They can very easily be fitted onto existing cisterns. As set forth in detail above, the aim of the invention is to reduce the amount of water used for flushing after the toilet has been used for urinating. The regulator ensures that the ball cock can only be moved a certain distance when the normal method of flushing is used. The limited movement of the ball cock allows some water to flow out of the cistern. However, enough water remains in the cistern so that the ball cock can be pushed back into its normal position. The water which flows out of the cistern is sufficient to flush the toilet after it has been used for urinating. The water which remains in the cistern is therefore the amount of water that has been saved each time one uses the toilet for the above purpose . Figures 8 and 9 show how the system works . The amount of water saved is represented by reference numerals 15. The amount of water contained normally by the cistern tank is represented by reference numerals 16 and the evacuated water by 17. It is necessary for the cistern 3 to be attached to the toilet bowl, and presents no problem when the cistern is fitted in or behind the wall. With flushing mechanisms, i.e. the flushing rod 7 or the push button 25 which are fitted on the wall instead of the cistern lid, the device 8 can be fitted on the wall or work together with a stop which is fitted on the wall .

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Cistern (3) with tank (4) and a ball cock (6) inside operated by a flushing rod (7 or 25) which has the means of reducing water consumption, characterised in that a device (8) which allows the ball cock (6) to make its normal upwards movement when the flushing rod is pulled, or alternatively to limit its upwards movement to a distance shorter than would normally be achieved without use of this device. 2. Cistern according to claim 1, characterised in that a device (8) which works together with the flushing rod (7 or 25) allowing it to limit the upwards movement of the ball cock (6) by limiting the movement of the flushing rod (7 or 25) . 3. Cistern according to one of the claims 1 and 2, characterised by the fact that the device is placed on the outside of the tank (4) with lid (5) . 4. Cistern according to one of claims 1 - 3, characterised by a removable or foldable stop 11 which in one position limits the movement of the flushing rod (7 or 25) or in another position allows free movement of the flushing rod (7 or 25) . 5. Cistern according to claim 4, characterised in that the stop (11) is adjustable. 6. Cistern according to one of claims 4 and 5, characterised by the fact that the device (8) comprises of a base (9) , a supporting rod (10) and a stop (11) which is able to rotate around the supporting rod (10) . 7. Cistern according to claim 6, characterised in that the supporting rod (10) is comprised of an upright rod (10) placed on a base (9) and that the stop (11) can be rotated around the rod (10) . 8. Cistern according to claims 5 and 7, characterised in that the stop (11) is comprised of a disc which rotates eccentrically around a bearing (12) which can be adjusted and fastened in height on the rod (10) . 9. Cistern according to one of claims 1 - 8, characterised in that the flushing rod (7 or 25) is a pulling rod (7) and the device (8) is fitted next to the rod (7) . 10. Cistern according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the flushing mechanism (7 or 25) is a push button (25) and the device (8) is fitted onto this push button (25) . 11. Cistern according to one of claims 1 to 3 , characterised in that the device (8) forms an extra control element with a limited movement that can be used if desired and if used has an effect on the normal control element or push button (25) so that it can be used over a limited distance . 12. A device (8) to limit the water consumption from the cistern as described in the previous claims.

Inventors: KEERSMAEKERS PAUL, LAUWERS DIRK, KEERSMAEKERS, PAUL, LAUWERS, DIRK
Applicants: ALERT II, KEERSMAEKERS PAUL, LAUWERS DIRK, KEERSMAEKERS, PAUL, LAUWERS, DIRK
Application year: 1997
Main classification: E03D1
IPC codes: E03D1