Abstract:
A universal kit for installing a flush lever  22  on a toilet water tank wall  12 A, and a toilet with the kit components installed therein, whereby the same components can be used to quickly and efficiently install the handle on the front face, side face, or angled portion of the toilet tank. The kit comprises a fixture  66  for mounting a flush rod actuation handle  20  on a tank wall, whereby the handle can be rotated about an axis  58, 60  extending perpendicularly from the wall into the tank. A flush rod  34  is angulated in three dimensions and has opposite end portions  36, 38 , having the same shape, such that either end portion is selectively securable in the mounting fixture  66  for corotation with the handle.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to bathroom fixtures, and particularly, to the flush lever associated with toilets. 
         [0002]    Both consumer and institutional toilets can be ordered in a wide variety of sizes, styles, and colors. Regardless of this wide variety of available options, most toilets are operated by a handle located on either the front face or the side face of the water tank that rises from behind the seat. In some toilet installations the handle is on at an angled portion of the tank at the transition from the front face to the side face. Rotation of the handle produces a levered rotation of the flush rod located in the tank, which in turn lifts a chain associated with the flapper or other flushing mechanism to release water from the tank into the bowl. 
         [0003]    The purpose of the present is to provide a kit, and a toilet with the kit components installed therein, whereby the same components can be used to quickly and efficiently install the handle on the front face, side face, or angled portion of the toilet tank. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    According to one aspect associated with the invention, a universal kit for installing a flush lever on a water tank comprises a fixture for mounting a flush rod actuation handle on the tank. A flush rod angulated in three dimensions has opposite ends, either of which can be selectively securable in the mounting fixture for co-rotation with the handle about an axis extending perpendicularly into the tank. 
         [0005]    Preferably, the flush rod has a first flat end portion, and a second flat end portion being lined substantially on a plane that is perpendicular to the first end portion, and an intermediate portion that is angulated relative to the end portions. Each of the end portions has holes for selective attachment of the flush valve chain. The tank mounting assembly includes a shaft connected to and rotatable with the handle. The shaft has a slot for receiving and securing either flat end portion of the flush rod. When one end of the flush rod is secured with the handle at the front face of the tank, rotation of the handle causes the other end of the rod, to which the chain is attachable, to rise and fall in a plane parallel to the front face of the tank. When the other end of the flush rod is secured with the handle at a side face of the tank, the opposite end of the flush rod rises and falls in a plane that is parallel to the side face of the tank. 
         [0006]    As assembled on a wall of a toilet tank for rotation about an axis extending into the tank, the invention preferably comprises a mounting assembly engaging a mounting hole in the tank wall and having a shaft passing through the tank wall and rotatable about the axis. The handle outside the tank is operatively connected to one end of the shaft, for rotating the shaft. The flush rod has one end secured in a fitting at the other end of the shaft, and angulated in three dimensions within the tank to another end that is co-rotatable with the handle about the axis. Each of the flush rod ends has substantially the same size and shape such that either end portion is selectively securable in the shaft fitting. 
         [0007]    Those familiar with this field will recognize that such universal kit can reduce the inventory and space occupied by parts in a van or the like of the professional plumber, and the same benefit is likewise realized by a retailer or wholesaler of plumbing supplies. Moreover, at the retail level, an end-user can avoid the mistake of purchasing a kit for side installation, when the purchaser&#39;s toilet is designed for front installation, or visa versa. 
         [0008]    As will be more fully appreciated from the description set forth below, the mounting assembly into which either end of the flush rod can be inserted and secured, is preferable of a straight forward, simple configuration that does not require adjustment or modification depending on which end of the flush rod is installed, and likewise, no modification is required on either end of the flush rod prior to installation into the mounting assembly for front or side mounting. A simple bending of the flush rod is required for installation on an angled surface of the tank. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         [0009]    The preferred embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1A  is a schematic representation of the front of a typical toilet having a flush lever handle at the front face of the tank, and  FIG. 1B  is a schematic representation of a typical toilet, from the side, having a flush lever handle mounted in the side face of the tank; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a schematic cross section view of a toilet tank, having a flush lever handle at an angled portion of the tank; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a view of the flush lever assembly handle and associated flush rod as mounted on the front of the tank, viewed in a direction from the front of the tank; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a view of the alternate flush lever assembly as mounted in the side face of the tank, viewed in a direction from the front of the tank; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a view of the flush rod of  FIG. 3 , without the handle attached; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a top view of the flush rod of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is an end view of the flush rod of  FIG. 6 , as observed from the right; 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is a schematic longitudinal section view of one end of the flush rod secured to a mounting assembly on a wall of the toilet tank; 
           [0018]      FIG. 9   a  is an end view of the shaft portion of the mounting assembly, as viewed from the left in  FIG. 8 , in an alternative embodiment to that shown in  FIG. 8 , illustrating the slot for receiving either end of the flush rod and a set screw for securing the flush rod in the slot; 
           [0019]      FIG. 9   b  is a longitudinal view of the shaft of  FIG. 9   a , with the left portion adapted to threadably engage the handle and the right portion adapted to receive either end of the flush rod; 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  shows the substantially circular pedestal portion of the handle that engages the mounting assembly at the tank wall; 
           [0021]      FIGS. 11   a  and  11   b  shows front and side views, respectively, of a spud that is specially adapted to cooperate with the handle shown in  FIG. 10  in the mounting configuration as substantially shown in  FIG. 8 ; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  is schematic longitudinal section view of an alternative configuration for securing one end of the flush rod to a mounting assembly on a wall of the toilet tank. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0023]      FIG. 1A  shows a typical consumer or institutional toilet  10  as seen from the front, having an upright water tank  12  with removable cap  14 , a bowl structure  16  that is secured to a floor, and a hinged seat  18 . The toilet is flushed by the user&#39;s rotating handle  20 , which causes a flush rod (shown in phantom at  22 ) within the tank, to rotate up or down, as indicated at arrow  24 , in a plane substantially parallel to the front face  26  of the tank. As is well known, a chain attached to the free end of the flush rod is also attached to a flush mechanism (not shown), which is lifted from an opening at the bottom of the tank, to deliver water to the bowl  16 . 
         [0024]      FIG. 1B  is a side view  28  of an alternative toilet tank, which is structurally similar to the tank of  FIG. 1A  with respect to the configuration of the tank  12 , cap  14 , bowl  16 , and seat  18 , except that the flush handle  20 ′ is located on the side face  30  of the tank such that the other end of the flush rod  22 ′ rotates  32  in a plane that is parallel to the side face  30 . 
         [0025]      FIG. 2  shows a different shape of tank, wherein the transition from the front face  26  to side face  30  is not rounded or square, but instead presents a flat surfaces, resembling a panel, oriented at an angle to the front and side faces. The flush handle  20 ″ penetrates the flat surface perpendicularly, but the rotation axis is typically at an angle in the range of about 25 to 45 degrees relative to the front face of the tank. 
         [0026]      FIGS. 3-7  show the preferred form of the lever assembly, associated with flush rod  34 .  FIG. 3  shows the flush rod as would be mounted according to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 5  shows the flush rod before attachment to the handle  20  and associated mounting structure.  FIG. 6  is a top view of the flush rod as depicted in  FIG. 5 . The flush rod  34  has a first flat end portion  36  lying substantially on one plane, a second flat end portion  38  lying substantially on another plane that is perpendicular to the one plane, and an intermediate portion  40  that is angulated relative to the end portions. Each end portion has a plurality of holes  42 ,  44  for selective attachment of flush valve chain  50 . The intermediate portion  40  of the flush rod is preferable substantially L-shaped, with legs  62 ,  64 . The intermediate portion lies in substantially the same plane as the second flat end portion  38 . The second end portion  38  preferably extends perpendicularly to but in the same plane as one leg  64  of the intermediate portion. The first flat end portion  36  preferably extends perpendicularly in a transverse plane relative to the other leg  62  of the intermediate portion. 
         [0027]    In  FIG. 3 , the flush valve chain  50  and associated flush valve  52  depend from the middle of three indicated holes  44 , but the chain  50  can be secured to any one of the holes, depending on the dimensions of the tank. Optionally, the end portion can be adapted for clean break off of excess length. It is also preferable that the intermediate portion  40  has a round cross section, to improve strength given the relatively long lever arm as compared with the length of handle  20  for rotation about axis  58 , which passes through the flange or pedestal portion  56  of the handle. It should be appreciated that end portion  36  is inserted, with leading tip  46 , into the base associated with the handle flange  56 , in a direction along rotation axis  58 , when the handle is attached to the front face of the tank as depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0028]    With reference now to  FIGS. 4 and 7 , the other end  38  of the flush rod is inserted with leading tip  48 , into the base  66  and associated handle pedestal  56  for rotation of the flat end portion  36 , about axis  60 , thereby lifting the flush valve  52  (i.e., flapper or other flushing mechanism) via chain  50  attached to a hole  42  in flat end portion  36 . 
         [0029]    It can be appreciated from  FIG. 3  that the lever arm length for the front face attachment to the tank, extends from rotation axis  58  to the point of attachment of chain  50 , in the plane of the drawing. This length would, for typical installations, be on the order of 6-12 inches. Considerable leverage is obtained, even when the handle is rotated only about two inches over a rotation angle of about 45 degrees, in that end of the chain is lifted via opposite end portion by 4-6 inches. Preferable, the end portion  36  is between 1½ and 2 inches long, most preferable 1¾ inches long, whereas the overall length of the rod as shown in  FIG. 5  is preferable about 8 inches. 
         [0030]    In the case of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , for mounting on the side face of the tank, the lever arm length is the sum of the length of the leg portion  64  and the length of the end portion  36  from the connection or bend at leg portion  62  out to the particular hole  42  through which the chain is connected. Thus it can be appreciated that with either embodiment, substantial leverage is available for operating the flush valve. 
         [0031]    The flush rod assembly can readily be mounted in the angled tank wall as shown in  FIG. 2 . With reference also to  FIG. 6 , the rod as oriented for mounting in the front face configuration, can be bent at point P, thereby setting the rod substantially parallel to the front face of the tank. Point P can be a weakened region between the first end portion  36  and the intermediate portion  40 , to facilitate manual bending during installation. Although the rod will not remain exactly parallel to the front face of the tank as the handle  20 ″ is rotated, such deviation is relatively small in comparison with the available lift displacement the rotating rod can impart to the flush mechanism. 
         [0032]      FIG. 8  shows one mounting configuration between the flush rod  34  and the handle  20  at the tank wall  12 .  FIGS. 10 and 11  may be considered in conjunction with  FIG. 8 , whereas  FIGS. 9   a  and  b  show an alternative implementation of one component depicted in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0033]    The base assembly  66  connects the handle  20  with the flush rod  34  through opening  68  in the tank wall  12 . The tank mounting assembly comprises base  66 , shaft  70  rotatably supported in the base, and the handle  20  operatively securable to one end of the shaft. The shaft  70  has a slot  72  at the other end for receiving either flat end  36 ,  38  of the flush rod  34 . Preferable, means, such as a setscrew  74  or the like, secure the flush rod within the shaft. 
         [0034]    The base  66  comprises a spud  76  having one end  78  engageable with the flange portion  56  of the handle  20 , an elongated externally threaded shank  80 , and a central through bore  82  for receiving the shaft  70 . A rubber washer is preferable fitted over the shank, against the tank wall  12 . A spud lock nut  86  is threadably advanced along the shank, against the washer  84 . Preferably, the shaft  70  comprises an externally threaded front end  88  engageable with the handle  20 , and a cylindrical body portion  90  sized to fit within the throughbore  82  of the spud  76 . The slot  72  extends from a back end  92  of the shaft into the body portion  90 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 8 , a shaft lock nut  94  threadably engages a threaded tip extending from the shaft, and carries the set screw  74  passing through the shaft lock nut for bearing against the flat end portion of the flush rod when received in the shaft. 
         [0035]    An alternative arrangement is shown in  FIG. 9 , where the shaft  70 ′ has an integral flange or the like  96  with associated set screw  98  penetrating into the slot  72  which receives the end of the flush rod. 
         [0036]      FIGS. 10 and 11  provide additional details on the relationship between the flange or pedestal portion  56  of the handle  20  and the spud  76 . The central hole  100  is drilled and tapped with left hand threads for receiving the threaded portions  78  of the shaft (see  FIG. 8 ). The annulus around the hole  100  is filled and notched  102  to accommodate the threaded spud and the movement  104  of the threaded spud between the stop notch  102 . The spud  76  has hole  82  (see  FIG. 8 ) for receiving the shaft, and is surrounded by threaded tubular portion  80 . The threads  80  on the spud are left handed, per standard threaded spuds. The surface  106  interacts with the stop  102  and also serves to hold the assembly against the outside of the toilet tank in conjunction with lock nut  86 . The square section  108  of the spud is inserted into the square cut out in the toilet tank that keeps the entire assembly from rotating when the handle is operated. 
         [0037]      FIG. 12  shows an alternative mounting configuration that is more adaptable to different size openings in the toilet tank, relative to that shown in  FIG. 8 . One difference is in the spud  76   a , where a coil spring  110  or similar rotational biasing means interacts between the spud  76   a  and the handle base  56   a  so that the lever will return to the proper rest position after flushing. Another difference is that the central hole  100   a  in the handle is not tapped, and portion  88   a  of the shaft  8  is not threaded. Instead, a pin-style connection with a setscrew  112  threaded through the handle  20   a  secures the shaft portion  88   a.