Abstract:
An improved manual activation mechanism for an electronic flushometer system. A manual activation or override plate has a sensor switch directly coupled thereto and is hingedly connected to a sensor bracket. When a user presses the manual activation or override plate, the sensor switch acts against a bumper, which is compressed to create an electrical contact with a printed circuit board. The electrical contact results in the transmission of an electrical signal to a solenoid system, actuating a flushometer valve.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates generally to electronic flushometer valves. More particularly, the present invention relates to sensor plates including manual override mechanisms for use with electronic flushometer valves.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     In the past several years, a number of different types of flushometer valve systems have been introduced into the marketplace. Many of these flushometer systems, while including an infrared or similar automatic detection mechanism, also include an electronic manual override, push button system by which a user can manually actuate the flushometer in the event that additional actuations are desired by the user.  
         [0003]     Most conventional push buttons in flushometer systems are relatively small in size, often are not visible or obvious to a user, and require a significant amount of dexterity on the user&#39;s part in order to be actuated. In many instances, this requires that a person use his or her index finger in order to actuate the button. Because of this relative difficulty, many people do not use the push button systems, even if the automated mechanism is not actuated after use. Additionally, flushometer systems with manual override mechanism are also frequently installed in areas for persons with disabilities, and such people may have significant difficulty in actuation of such a relatively small push button.  
         [0004]     All of the above problems are also sometimes compounded due to the location of such manual override buttons. In many instances, the push button is in close proximity to the flushometer valve and related components, potentially blocking access to the button. Lastly, conventional push button systems also often require a relatively high degree of force for activation, which can make actuation difficult for handicapped persons.  
         [0005]     Many of the conventional systems discussed above require a relatively small push button due to the positioning of the sensor switch in the devices. In these systems, the sensor switch is not directly attached to the outside cover plate. As a result, actuation of certain portions of the cover plate will not have any effect upon the sensor switch, and therefore the flushometer may not be manually actuable if the wrong portion of the plate is pressed.  
         [0006]     It would therefore be desirable to provide an improved manual activation mechanism that addresses the above-identified shortcomings, providing users with a larger activation area and also provide reliable actuation wherever depressed such that the device can be used by a wide variety of people with little difficulty, while also providing for simple installation and assembly.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     The present invention provides for an improved push button system for actuating a flushometer valve. When a user desires to actuate the flushometer system, he or she presses an override plate to which a sensor switch is directly coupled. The override plate is hingedly connected to a sensor bracket. The movement of the override plate relative to the sensor bracket urges the sensor switch against a bumper, which causes an electrical signal to be transmitted to a solenoid system which actuates the flushometer.  
         [0008]     With the present invention, the user is provided with a relatively large area for actuating the switch. In contrast to conventional flushometer systems, the direct coupling of the sensor switch to the override plate permits the user to press virtually any region on the override plate in order to manually actuate the flushometer. The present invention also results in a reduced amount of button travel and is aesthetically superior to a conventional system that requires visible attachment fasteners. Furthermore, the sensor switch and the electrical connections are all shielded from direct water contact. A system incorporating the present invention is easy to install and can also compensate for minor rough-in errors. The present invention can be incorporated into a wide variety of flushometer systems, including both closet and urinal systems that may or may not have an associated automated sensing mechanism.  
         [0009]     These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention, together with the organization and manner of operation thereof, will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements have like numerals throughout the several drawings described below. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]      FIG. 1  is a front end view of a base portion of a closet flushometer system according to one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the base portion of the closet flushometer system of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  is a front view of a sensor and override plate of the closet flushometer system;  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  is an exploded rear isometric view of the closet flushometer system;  
         [0014]      FIG. 5  is an exploded front isometric view of the cover plate, mounting plate and wall plate bracket for the closet flushometer system;  
         [0015]      FIG. 6 a  rear end view of the sensor bracket of the closet flushometer system;  
         [0016]      FIG. 7  is a isometric view of the sensor mounting plate of the closet flushometer system;  
         [0017]      FIG. 8  is a front view of the sensor mounting plate of  FIG. 7 ;  
         [0018]      FIG. 9  is a sectional side view the assembled sensor portion according to one embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0019]      FIG. 10  is a sectional side view of an assembled sensor portion of the closet flushometer system.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0020]      FIGS. 1-10  show various aspects of a closet flushometer system  100  constructed according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , the closet flushometer system  100  includes a base portion  102  and a sensor portion  104 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , The base portion  104  includes a solenoid system  106  coupled to a cartridge assembly  108 , which in turn leads to a flushometer water supply unit  110 . The solenoid system  106  comprises a coil  112  positioned within a solenoid housing  114 , to which is coupled an end retaining nut  115 . A washer  116  is positioned between the solenoid housing  114  and a solenoid coupling  118 . The washer  116  is positioned around a solenoid shaft  120 , which is also positioned between the solenoid housing  114  and the solenoid coupling  118 . The solenoid housing  114  of the solenoid assembly  102  is coupled to a nipple assembly  122 , which connects to a cover plate  124  via a flange assembly  126 . Electrical wires (not shown) for actuating and deactuating the solenoid assembly  106  are housed within the nipple assembly  122 . The cover plate  124  is coupled to an electrical transformer or supply (not shown) within a wall via a mounting plate  130  and a wall plate bracket  132  (see  FIG. 5 ).  
         [0021]     As shown in  FIG. 4 , positioned above the cover plate  124  and associated components is a actuator cover plate  134 . The actuator cover plate  134  includes a sensor window  136 , behind which is positioned an infrared automatic sensor switch  138 . The infrared automatic sensor switch  138  is housed within a sensor bracket  140 . A plurality of sensor contact wires (not shown) are used to electrically connect the automatic sensor switch  138  to the remainder of the flushometer system  100 .  
         [0022]     The sensor bracket  140  also includes a manual sensor switch  143  on a bottom portion thereof. A plurality of wires  160  lead from the manual sensor switch  143  to the solenoid assembly  106  and electrical supply. A sensor mounting plate  144  is coupled at a bottom portion thereof to the actuator cover plate  134  by a mounting screw  146 . This coupling is only used for retaining purposes. The sensor mounting plate  144  is also coupled to the wall on the side opposite the actuator cover plate  134 .  
         [0023]     The sensor mounting plate  144  also houses a bumper  148  within a receiving region  150  in a bottom portion thereof. The bumper  148  is positioned to come into selective contact with the manual sensor switch  143  which is movable between a first position and a second position. When in the first position (at rest), the bumper  148  is in slight contact with the manual sensor switch  143 , as shown in  FIG. 10 .  
         [0024]      FIG. 6  is a rear end view of the sensor bracket  140  of the closet flushometer system  100 . The sensor bracket  140  includes a primary opening  152  and a pair of secondary openings  154 . The primary opening  152  and the secondary openings  154  are used to mate the sensor bracket  140  with the sensor mounting plate  144  (see  FIG. 4 ). As shown in  FIGS. 7-10 , the sensor mounting plate  144  includes a plurality of hooks  156 . The plurality of hooks  156  are selectively positioned to mate with the primary opening  152  and the plurality of secondary openings  154 , with the mating resulting in a secure but rotatable fit between the sensor bracket  140  with the sensor mounting plate  144  about a hinge  158  (as represented in  FIG. 7 ).  
         [0025]     As best seen in  FIG. 4 , The automatic sensor switch  138  is securely fastened to the actuator cover plate  134  and rests within the primary opening  154  of the sensor bracket  140 . Rotatable movement of the actuator cover plate  134  relative to the sensor mounting plate  144  about the hinge  158  therefore results in a corresponding movement in the manual sensor switch  143 , which is securely connected to the sensor bracket  140 .  
         [0026]     In one embodiment of the invention, the automatic sensor switch  138  comprises an infrared detection mechanism. The infrared detection mechanism is used to detect when an individual is no longer using the toilet associated with the closet flushometer system  100 . However, it should be noted that the present invention can also be used without an infrared detection mechanism. When a user steps away from the closet flushometer system  100  including an infrared sensor mechanism, the automatic sensor switch  138  transmits an electrical signal to the coil  112  of the solenoid system  106 . The energizing of the coil  112  causes a solenoid pole piece (not shown) to move within the solenoid shaft  120 , opening the valve and permitting water to be released for flushing. The infrared sensor mechanism can also monitor when an individual enters the effective range of the mechanism. This information can be used to help prevent false flushing of the system.  
         [0027]     The operation of an override according to the present invention is generally as follows. As shown in  FIG. 3 , when a user wishes to override an automated flushing mechanism such as an infrared sensor, he or she presses the actuator cover plate  134 . As depicted in  FIG. 10 , both the actuator cover plate  134  and the sensor bracket  140  rotate about the hinge  158 , causing the manual sensor switch  143  to act against the bumper  148 . This action causes an electrical signal to be transmitted to the solenoid system  106 , opening the flushometer valve and initiating the flushing process. In one embodiment of the present invention, a manual sensor switch movement of only 0.012 inches is needed for an electrical signal to be transmitted to the solenoid assembly  106 .  
         [0028]     By creating the hinge  158  between the sensor bracket  140  and the sensor mounting plate  144 , the user can create the necessary contact by pushing virtually any portion of the actuator cover plate  134 , meaning that the user could potentially use his or her open hand, finger, elbow, or other item such as a cane to cause the actuation. This is in contrast to conventional systems, where a user must press a very specific portion of a plate or push button to cause the actuation.  
         [0029]     The present invention as discussed herein can be incorporated into a wide variety of flushometer systems. For example, but without limitation, the manual actuation system of the present invention can be incorporated into electronic flushometer systems that include virtually any type of automatic activation system, as well as flushometer systems that include no automatic activation mechanism at all. The present invention can be incorporated into both closet flushometer systems and urinal flushometer systems.  
         [0030]     The foregoing description of embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise form disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the present invention. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application to enable one skilled in the art to utilize the present invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.