Patent Abstract:
A dual handle semi-flush retrofit kit is provided and consists of a water releasable reservoir cup the weight of which varies the effective buoyancy of the flapper flush valve, connected between the flapper flush valve and double flush handles on a toilet tank, such that if one handle is operated the toilet tank is fully flushed in the conventional way. If the other handle is operated the toilet tank is only half emptied thereby saving many gallons of water. This dual handle semi-flush retrofit kit can be easily installed by the do-it-yourself home owner.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The instant invention relates generally to toilet flush valve systems and more specifically it relates to a dual handle semi-flush retrofit kit. 
     Numerous toilet flush valve systems have been provided in the prior art that are adapted to regulate the volume of water discharged for flushing when evacuating toilet bowls. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,325,828 to Alexander; 4,483,024 to Troeh; 4,504,984 to Burns and 4,620,331 to Sagueio all are illustrative of such prior art. While these units may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they would not be as suitable for the purpose of the present invention as hereafter described. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A primary object of the present invention is to provide a dual handle semi-flush retrofit kit that will overcome the shortcomings of the prior art devices. 
     Another object is to provide a dual handle semi-flush retrofit kit that includes double flush handles, such that if one handle is pressed downward the toilet is flushed fully in the conventional way, and if the other handle is pressed downward, the tank is partially emptied. 
     An additional object is to provide a dual handle semi-flush retrofit kit that includes a water releasable reservoir cup which can control the amount of water that is flushed into the toilet bowl so as to save many gallons of water over a long period of time. 
     A further object is to provide a dual handle semi-flush retrofit kit that is simple and easy to use, and can be easily installed by the do-it-yourself home owner. 
     A still further object is to provide a dual handle semi-flush retrofit kit that is economical in cost to manufacture. 
     Further objects of the invention will appear as the description proceeds. 
     To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
     The figures in the drawings are briefly described as follows: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a toilet with the instant invention installed thereon; 
     FIG. 2 is an partial elevational view of just the flush mechanism taken in the direction of line 2--2 in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is an enlarged top view of the reservoir cup as indicated by arrow 3 in FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view through the reservoir cup taken along line 4--4 in FIG. 3; and 
     FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken along line 5--5 of FIG. 1, with parts broken away showing the double flush handles in greater detail. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which like reference characters denote like elements throughout the several views, the Figures illustrate a dual handle semi-flush retrofit kit 10 for use in a toilet 12 of the type having a tank 14, a flush port 16, a valve seat 18, an overflow tube 20, and a flapper flush valve 22. The kit 10 consists of double flush handles 28 and 30 adapted to be concentrically pivotally mounted at 32 to the toilet tank 14 so that each handle 28 and 30 can independently rotate counter-clockwise on the toilet tank 14. 
     A reservoir cup 34, for holding water therein, is carried on the lift wire 26. A first mechanism 36 is coupled between the first handle 28 and the reservoir cup 34, for causing a conventional full flush cycle F in the toilet tank 14, when the first handle 28 is manually rotated counter-clockwise on the toilet tank 14 to open and close the flapper flush valve 22 on the valve seat 18. A second mechanism 38 is coupled between the second handle 30 and the reservoir cup 34, for causing a semi-flush cycle S in the toilet tank 14, when the second handle 30 is manually rotated counter-clockwise on the toilet tank 14 to open and close the flapper flush valve 22 sooner on the valve seat 18. 
     The first mechanism 36 includes a first lift arm 40 coupled to the first handle 28 so that the first lift arm 40 will be lifted in a counter-clockwise direction when the first handle 28 is manually rotated counter-clockwise. A first flexible lanyard 42 is connected between an end of the first lift arm 40 and the reservoir cup 34. A structure 43 in the reservoir cup 34 is for releasing water out of the bottom 44 of the reservoir cup 34 when the first handle 28 is manually rotated counter-clockwise thereby causing the flapper flush valve 22 to close slowly for the conventional full flush cycle F in the toilet tank 14. 
     A deflector shield 45 is secured to the guide arm 24 between the bottom 44 of the reservoir cup 34 and the top of the flapper flush valve 22 so as to protect the flapper flush valve 22 from the pressure of the water spilling out of the tank through flush port 16. An adjustment clamp 46, having a knurled thumb screw 48 is interposed on the lift wire 26 which is split and overlapped so as to permit adjustment to the height setting of the reservoir cup 34 carried on the lift wire 26. 
     The second mechanism 38 includes a second lift arm 48 coupled to the second handle 30 so that the second lift arm 48 will be lifted in a counterclockwise direction when the second handle 30 is manually rotated counter-clockwise. A second flexible lanyard 50 is connected between an end of the second lift arm 48 and the reservoir cup 34. Another structure 52 in the reservoir cup 34 is for retaining water within the reservoir cup 34. When the second handle 30 is manually rotated counter-clockwise, this allows the flapper flush valve 22 to close faster for the semi-flush cycle S in the toilet tank 14. This because the weight of water 74 contained within the reservoir cup 34 lowers the total effective buoyancy of the flapper flush valve 22 so that as water drains from the toilet tank the flapper flush valve 22 is caused to seat soon in the semi-flush cycle S due to the additional force from the weight of this water 74 which is not other wise present during a full flush cycle F because it has been allowed to spill from the reservoir cup 34 at the beginning of a full flush cycle F as indicated by arrow 72. 
     The water releasing structure 43 includes a cross bar structure 54 having a top eyelet 56 that is secured to the open top 57 of the reservoir cup at 58, so that the first flexible lanyard 42 can be connected to the top eyelet 56. The reservoir cup 34 has a first annular inner flange 60 at the bottom thereof and a plurality of portholes 62 above the first annular flange 60. A circular plate 64 is secured at 66 to the upper portion of the lift wire 26 within the reservoir cup 34, so as to sit upon the first annular inner flange 60 to expose the portholes 62 and release the water 74 as indicated by arrow 72 when the first flexible lanyard 42 pulls the top eyelet 56, and lifts only the reservoir cup 34 causing portholes 62 to be thereby opened. 
     The water retainer structure 52 includes the lift wire 26 having an eye 65 formed on its upper end within the reservoir cup 34. The bottom eyelet 68 is on the cross bar 54 so that the second flexible lanyard 50 can extend through the eye 65 the lift wire 26 and be connected to the bottom eyelet 68. The reservoir cup 34 has a second annular inner flange 70 proximate the bottom 44 thereof above the porthole 62, so that the circular plate 64 can bear against the second annular inner flange 70 to seal the bottom 44 of the reservoir cup 34 and retain the water therein when the second flexible lanyard 50 pulls the bottom eyelet 68. 
     Naturally when the water 74 is spilled during a full flush cycle F it is replenished when the toilet tank is refilled toward the end of the fill as the water level reaches sufficient height to flow over the open top 57 of the reservoir cup 34. 
     The guide arm 24 provides the mechanism by which the flapper valve-reservoir cup assembly is affixed to the overflow tube 20. It is placed on the tube and lowered to the point where the flapper valve can be attached. The knurled thumb screw 25 is then turned to lock it in place. 
     While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4