Abstract:
A flush mechanism for a water closet include a housing fixable to a toilet flush tank outlet and a float body removable within the housing for controlling water discharge through the tank outlet. A hydraulic assist valve is disposed within the float body and moveable therein for causing upward opening movement of the float body in order to reduce exterior operational force required to operate the float body.

Description:
[0001]     The present application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/679,535 filed May 10, 2005. This application is to be incorporated herewith in its entirety into the present application. 
     
    
       [0002]     The present invention is generally related to flush mechanisms for water closets and is more specifically directed to flush mechanisms with reduced requirements for operational force.  
         [0003]     At present, water resources have dictated the use of efficient toilets/water closets. In that regard, to improve flush efficiency and save water, many toilet designs have raised tank water levels and/or increased outlet or discharge diameter.  
         [0004]     Unfortunately, these improvements increase the pressure of the seal, which not only diminishes the valve durability, but also requires much greater manual force for operation. This increased force is an inconvenience and often difficult to overcome.  
         [0005]     The flush mechanism in accordance with the present invention provides for the use of large outlet diameter valves while reducing the force required to operate such valves.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     The present invention provides for a flush mechanism for a water closet with the mechanism including a housing fixable to a toilet flush tank outlet along with a float body, moveable within the housing, for controlling water discharge through the tank outlet. Tank outlet diameter of 3-4 inches or more are contemplated and feasible as the result of the flush mechanism in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0007]     More particularly, valve means are provided which are disposed in the float body for hydraulically assisting upward movement of the float which thereby reduces exterior operational force required to operate the float body.  
         [0008]     In other words, the present invention provides for a hydraulic assist valve which is disposed in the float body and moveable therewith for causing upward opening movement of the float body in order to reduce exterior operational force.  
         [0009]     Still more particularly, the valve means in accordance with the present invention includes an upper flush valve chamber and a moveable seat releasably engaging a float seal for releasing water from the upper flush valve chamber into the tank outlet. Upon such release, the upper flush valve chamber seat and the seal rise with the float body in order to discharge a water through the tank outlet.  
         [0010]     A flow control chamber is provided and is in fluid communication with the upper flush valve chamber through a least one hole. In addition a cover for sealing a hole is provided which is connected to a buoyant counterweight.  
         [0011]     A slide mechanism is provided for controlling water flow through the hole into the upper flush chamber in order to control downward movement of the float body and stop the discharge of water through the tank outlet.  
         [0012]     In addition, a spring may be provided for both biasing the seat against the float seal and also assisting upward movement of the upper flush valve chamber and float body.  
         [0013]     More particularly, the seat may be formed at an end of a moveable overflow tube and downward movement of the tube separates the seat from the float seal. In addition, the buoyant counterweight and cover are disposed in the flow control chamber with the counterweight connected to the cover for opening the cover over the hole when the counterweight is in a downward position and closing the cover when a counterweight is in an upward position. In operation, the counterweight moves to the downward position upon loss of buoyancy.  
         [0014]     The hereinabove noted slide mechanism may include an adjustable door for controlling water flow into the control chamber.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]     The advantages and features of the present invention will be better understood by the following description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a flush mechanism in accordance with the present invention generally illustrating a housing fixable to a toilet flush tank outlet (not shown), a float body moveable within the housing, a moveable overflow tube along with a sliding mechanism for controlling water flow in order to control downward movement of the float body;  
         [0017]      FIG. 2  is a cross sectional view of the flush mechanism shown in  FIG. 1  illustrating a hydraulic assist valve disposed within the float body and moveable therein for providing means to cause upward movement of the float body in order to reduce exterior operational force, a closed valve being shown in bold line while an open valve being shown in broken line; and  
         [0018]      FIG. 3  is a cross sectional taken along the line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2  and illustrating hydraulically assisted water discharge through a tank outlet. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0019]     With reference to  FIGS. 1-3 , there is shown a flush mechanism  10  in accordance with the present invention which generally includes a housing  12  fixable to a toilet flush tank outlet  16  by way of threads  20  with a seal  22  therebetween.  
         [0020]     A float body  26  moveable within the housing  12  is provided for controlling water discharge through the tank outlet  16 ,  FIG. 2  showing a float body in a closed position and  FIG. 3  showing the float body in a raised, or open position enabling water discharge indicated by the arrows  30  from a water tank  32  through the outlet  16  as will be hereinafter described in greater detail.  
         [0021]     A valve  36  disposed in the remote body  26  provides a means for hydraulically assisting the upward movement of the float body  26  thereby reducing exterior operational force required to operated the float body.  
         [0022]     The float body may cover the flush tank outlet  16  which may have a diameter of three to four or more inches and accordingly depending upon the head of water in the tank require significant force to move. A large opening is required in modern water closets in order to provide momentum in an initial discharge water sufficient to provide efficient clearing of a toilet bowl, not shown.  
         [0023]     Operation of the flush mechanism  10  is illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . Depression of an overflow tube  40  attached to an overflow seal seat  44  by a conventional lever mechanism  48  in the direction of the arrow  52  shown in  FIG. 2  separates the seat  44  from an upper float seal  56 , as illustrated in broken line in  FIG. 2 . This discharges water from an upper flush valve chamber  60  as indicated by arrows  62  through the flush tank outlet  16  and provides buoyancy to the chamber  60  which is rapidly moved upward, indicated by the arrow  66  by the inrush of water indicated by the arrows  30 .  
         [0024]     Thus, the valve  36  hydraulically assists the opening upward movement of the float body  26  and since less force is required to open the valve  36  than the float body  26 , the required exterior operational force to operate the float body  26  is significantly reduced. Upon upward movement of the float body  26 , a lower flapper seal  68  is separated from a discharge body portion  72  of the housing  12 .  
         [0025]     With specific reference to  FIG. 3 , the mechanism  10  further includes a flow control chamber  76  which communicates with the upper flush valve chamber  60  through at least one hole  80 .  
         [0026]     Access to the flow control chamber  76  is provided through a slide mechanism  84  which includes an adjustable port  86  for controlling water flow into the flow control chamber  76  and through the hole. Movement of the slide mechanism indicated by the arrow  88 , positions a slider door  90  to adjust the port  86  size. Water flow through the hole  80  from the flow control chamber  76  and through the port  86  controls downward movement of the float body  26  which in turn stops discharge water through the tank outlet.  
         [0027]     Again, with specific reference to  FIG. 3 , a cover  92  and buoyant counterweight  96  are disposed in the flow control chamber  76  with the counterweight  96  connected to the cover. A lever  100  is pivotable about a pin  102  in order that the hole  80  is open when the counterweight  96  is in a downward position, as shown in bold line in  FIG. 3 , and closed when the counterweight is in an upper position, shown in dashed line in  FIG. 3 . The counterweight  96  moves to the downward position upon loss of buoyancy when water is drained from the flow control chamber  76  through the upper flush valve chamber  60 .  
         [0028]     A spring  104  is provided for both biasing the seat  44  against the seal  56  and further assisting the upward movement of the float body  26  and flush valve chamber  60 .  
         [0029]     Although there has been hereinabove described a specific improved flush valve for water closets in accordance with the present invention for the purpose of illustrating the manner in which the invention may be used to advantage, it should be appreciated that the invention is not limited thereto. That is, the present invention may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of the recited elements. Further, the invention illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein. Accordingly, any and all modifications, variations or equivalent arrangements which may occur to those skilled in the art, should be considered to be within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.