Abstract:
A toilet flush valve connecting device replaces the troublesome chain connector in a toilet tank. The connecting device utilizes a flexible, non-tangle funicular element that attaches the flush handle of a toilet to the discharge valve and assures proper opening and closing of the discharge valve, preventing toilet run-on. The funicular element attaches to the toilet&#39;s trip rod and discharge valve and incorporates a novel connector that allows for easy installation and adjustability of the funicular element. Unlike other systems, the device can be retro-fitted into existing toilets by the average person and does not require the assistance of a professional plumber or handyman.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to the field of plumbing; more particularly, to efficient inner workings of toilets; and more particularly still, to a toilet flush valve connecting device that replaces the troublesome chain linkage between the trip rod and flapper valve in a toilet in order to forestall the common run-on problems caused by the chain linkage. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Indoor plumbing and flush toilets have been in limited use since antiquity. However, their use became widespread in many parts of the world over one hundred years ago. Since that time, a number of different designs have been introduced that use various components to effect the release of a quantity of water into the toilet bowl in order to flush the toilet. One of the most common designs currently employed utilizes a flush handle on the exterior of the toilet connected to a trip rod on the interior of the toilet tank. The trip rod is linked via a connecting chain to a flapper valve. When the flush handle is actuated, it raises the trip rod, which in turn raises the connecting chain, thereby causing the flapper valve to also lift up from its closed position. The water stored in the toilet tank then rushes through the open flapper valve, into the toilet bowl, and then through the toilet exit port and into the sewer pipe. When the toilet tank is nearly empty of water, the flapper valve closes, allowing the toilet tank to refill via the actions of the float apparatus and inflow valve. 
         [0003]    Although the above flushing process seems straight-forward and efficient, there is a common problem that is often experienced: toilet run-on. This problem can be caused in a number of ways, but is commonly the result of the connecting chain twisting and/or kinking, thereby causing the flapper valve to not properly seal against the tank discharge orifice. As refill water enters the tank in an attempt to recharge the tank in preparation for the next flush, the water continuously drains through the improperly sealed tank discharge orifice and runs into the toilet bowl. As the tank can not fill in this situation, the float apparatus can not rise and shut off the inflow valve so water will continue to flow into the toilet tank, through the discharge orifice, into the toilet bowl, out of the toilet exit port, and into the sewer pipe. This situation causes an enormous waste of water, creates a constant noise, and is harmful to the efficient operation of water and sewer systems. 
         [0004]    A number of attempts have been made in the prior art to address this problem. For related prior art, see: 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 8,087,106, issued on Jan. 3, 2012 to Mitchell; U.S. Pat. No. 5,784,726, issued on Jul. 28, 1998 to Kay; U.S. Pat. No. 5,142,710, issued on Sep. 1, 1992 to Olson; U.S. Pat. No. 7,591,027, issued on Sep. 22, 2009 to Scruggs; U.S. Pat. No. 5,459,884, issued on Oct. 24, 1995 to Wesolowsky; U.S. Pat. No. 5,042,096, issued on 1991-08-91 to Bolli; U.S. Pat. No. 4,455,694, issued on Jun. 26, 1984 to Dymon; 
         [0006]    U.S. Patent Application Numbers 2009/0126094, filed on Nov. 12, 2008 by Laub; 2006/0130226, filed on Dec. 21, 2005 by Silvestre; 2008/0201833, filed on Jul. 16, 2007 by Scruggs; 2009/0019628, filed on May 19, 2005 by Leblanc; and 
         [0007]    Foreign Patent Document Numbers CA2005116351, on Aug. 12, 2005 by Leblanc; EP0339168, on Nov. 2, 1989 by Garcia de Couto; WO2010030265, on Mar. 18, 2010 by Wajda. 
         [0008]    Mitchell&#39;s patent describes a flapper valve that releases varying amounts of water for conservation, but doesn&#39;t remove the chain that is the reason for run-on. Also Mitchell&#39;s device is inconvenient to use since the handle must be held down to vary the amount of water used. Laube&#39;s 2008 patent application discloses a water saving device, which replaces the customary chain with a series of rigid connectors between the trip rod and the flapper, having the primary purpose of terminating a flush. However, he couples his rigid connectors with chain links, or springs which can cock or kink, thus prohibiting the valve from closing completely, again causing run-on. Kay&#39;s 1998 patent shows a spherical device attached to the overflow pipe which limits the upward movement of the flapper valve limiting the amount of water used with each flush and prevents the flapper from being stuck open but he continues with the chain, the cause of run-on. Silvestre&#39;s 2005 application discloses a devise that closes the flapper valve from outside the tank in the event of a clogged bowl. The device itself is made of a supple material, but the actuator for flushing the toilet remains of the prior art: a chain that tangles and causes run-on. Scruggs&#39; 2007 application describes an invention whose main object is to provide multiple types of flapper valves that allow various levels of water in the tank for various flushing needs. The drawbacks are the complicated design and costly implementation while retaining the age-old chains that actuate the flappers leaving the same problem of run-on. Leblanc&#39;s 2005 foreign and US filings detail a flush valve leakage prevention device for a toilet tank. This device suffers from several design flaws. First, it requires the user to continually hold down the handle while the toilet flushes. Second, it is envisioned as a kit, so many of the retrofitted toilets will still have a chain. In fact, Leblanc only specifies a very nondescript “flush activating system” and gives no specifics, but in his drawings he clearly shows a chain and offers no alternative. This is a device, which is, in effect, a flat spring that contacts the flapper valve forcing it back in place after the handle is released. In the event of a tangled chain there may not be enough force/pressure to fully close the flapper valve. Wesolowsky&#39;s 1995 patent introduces a water control system which allows a partial or full flush as required by the nature of the waste. The individual can choose the amount of water to be discharged. Furthermore, a partial flush can be aborted and a full flush can be implemented, if desired, by activating a button mounted through the flush handle. The device incorporates the common floating flapper, but regulates the time of closure by controlling the escape of air by means of a tube inserted in the top of the flapper and regulated by a needle valve. He describes a flexible string to control the flapper, but pictures a chain. It looks like a very good device to regulate water flow, but questionable when controlling run-on. Bolli&#39;s 1991 patent describes a duel flush apparatus; his primary focus is on a dual flapper system. He describes several types of flexible tripping devices, but does not describe the attachment in detail. Dymon&#39;s 1984 patent describes a clip on device for saving water in a toilet. The attachment comprises a force-down wire, which the homeowner attaches to the standard flapper valve. He initiates the flush with a chain, allowing the problem of chain kinks or tangles to again cause run-on. Garcia de Couto&#39;s 1988 foreign patent document illustrates an attachment that does not appear to lend itself to the American toilet, however it is chained to the past. Wajda&#39;s 2010 foreign patent document describes another dual-flush system with a variable height differential and actuated by chains, again introducing the perpetrator of run-ons. Olson&#39;s 1992 patent introduces a water saver that does not use the standard floating flapper valve. One actuates the flush by pushing the handle and the user holds the flush handle until he deems the flush as being complete. At that point he releases the handle, which causes a water-filled auxiliary flapper to push the actual valve back into its closed position. A chain controls all this. As can be seen by close examination of the above devices: the prior art employs chains or other run-on producing devices, is overly complicated and necessitates replacing complete toilets or at least most of the inner workings thereof. 
         [0009]    What is needed is a solution to toilet run-on that is simple to employ, does not need to utilize a chain or other easily tangled or blocked device, and can be effortlessly retro-fitted into existing toilets without the need to employ a professional plumber. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0010]    One embodiment of the present invention comprises a flexible, non-tangle funicular element that is attached via a novel connector to the discharge valve of a toilet, replacing the ubiquitous and troublesome chain connector. Unlike other systems, the present invention can be retro-fitted into existing toilets by the average person and does not require the assistance of a professional plumber or handyman. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    The aforementioned and other features and objects of the present invention and the manner of attaining them will become more apparent and the invention itself will be best understood by reference to the following descriptions of a preferred embodiment and other embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  shows a front elevation view of a toilet tank from the prior art with a portion of the tank cut away in order to illustrate the inner tank components; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  illustrates a front elevation view of a toilet tank including an exemplary embodiment of a toilet flush valve connecting device installed as a part of the toilet tank flushing apparatus; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  illustrates a close-up, perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a toilet flush valve connecting device; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  illustrates a close up, side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a toilet flush valve connecting device; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of a toilet flush valve connecting device installed in a toilet tank flushing apparatus. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]    Referring now to the drawings,  FIG. 1  shows a front elevation view of a toilet tank  112  from the prior art with a portion of the tank  112  cut away in order to illustrate the inner tank components  100 . The water inlet line  124  feeds water into the toilet tank  112 . It is connected to the tank  112  by a coupling assembly  122  that is attached to the tank inlet  114 . Once inside the tank  112 , the coupling assembly  122  is in fluid communication with the lower fill valve assembly  120 . The lower fill valve assembly  120  is attached to the upper fill valve assembly  118  which allows incoming water to flow from the water inlet line  124  into the upper fill valve assembly  118  without leaking into any surrounding spaces. At the top of the upper fill valve assembly  120  is the valve assembly  128 . It has a downspout  131  which causes water to flow into the main body of the tank  112  when the valve assembly  128  is actuated. The float rod  126  is operatively connected to the valve assembly  128  and extends therefrom; at the other end of the float rod  126  is the float  130 . Also extending from the valve assembly  128  is a refill line  134  that refills the toilet bowl after a flush. 
         [0018]    The refill line  134  runs into the overflow tube  132  which is in fluid communication with the tank drain apparatus  136 . The drain apparatus  136  is positioned in the tank outlet  116  and is in fluid communication with the toilet bowl line  117 . Although not shown in  FIG. 1 , the toilet bowl line  117  is attached to the toilet bowl and provides the path for water from the tank  112  to enter the bowl during a flush cycle. Also attached to the drain apparatus  136  is the flapper valve  140 . It seals against the drain apparatus  136  using the flapper valve seal  138  and is held in place by hydrostatic pressure of the water in the tank  112  pressing down on the flapper valve  140 . When sealed, water from the tank  112  can not enter the drain apparatus  136 . The flapper valve  140  is connected to the drain apparatus  136  via a hinge  149 . 
         [0019]    The flush handle  142  is rotatably mounted on the outside of the toilet tank  112  such that it can be actuated by a user in order to flush the toilet. Inside the tank  112 , the handle  142  is affixed to the trip rod  144 . The trip rod  144  is connected to the flapper valve  140  by the chain  146 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the chain  146  and flapper valve  140  are in their normal, closed positions and the toilet is waiting to be flushed. 
         [0020]    When the user presses down on the end of the flush handle  142 , the handle  142  rotates, thereby lifting the trip rod  144  inside the tank  112 . When the rod  144  lifts, it pulls up on the chain  146 , causing the chain  146  to raise the flapper valve  140  separating the flapper valve seal  138 . The flapper valve  140  hinges upward on the flapper valve hinge  149  and creates an opening into the drain apparatus  136 . Water inside the toilet tank  112  then rushes into the drain apparatus  136 , flows through the toilet bowl line  117  and into the toilet bowl. The user can release the flush handle  142  and the flapper valve  140  will remain open until substantially all of the water in the tank  112  has exited into the bowl. The flapper valve  140  stays open because it is somewhat buoyant. When the level of the water in the tank  112  drops far enough to no longer buoy the flapper valve  140  upwards, it settles back against the drain apparatus  136  and the flapper valve  140  then closes. 
         [0021]    When the water is evacuated from the tank  112 , the float  130  moves downwards as the water is no longer there to hold the float  130  up (when water is present, the float  130  floats on the surface of the water and is in a raised position). With the float  130  in a down position (as shown in  FIG. 1 ), the valve assembly  128  is opened and incoming water flows into the tank  112  via the downspout  131  and also into the toilet bowl via the toilet bowl refill line  134 . As water fills the tank  112 , it presses up on the float  130  until the float reaches its raised position. When the float  130  is in the raised position, it causes the valve assembly  128  to be closed and water stops flowing into the tank  112  and toilet bowl. The toilet tank  112  is now full of water and the toilet is ready for the next flushing cycle. 
         [0022]    However, because the prior art illustrated in  FIG. 1  includes the chain  146 , the above described flush cycle can become interrupted. Notice that although the chain  146  has a small amount of slack in it when the flapper valve  140  is closed, it does not take much pulling on or shortening of the chain to keep the flapper valve  140  from completely sealing against the drain apparatus  136 . When the user actuates the flush handle  142 , he or she can jiggle the handle causing the chain  146  to rapidly oscillate between tight and slack positions. If the chain  146  links become entangled or twisted during this oscillation, then the chain  146  will no longer have any slack in it even when the handle  142  is released. This causes the flapper valve  140  to remain slightly raised from the drain apparatus  136 , resulting in water in the tank  112  continuously flowing out of the tank  112 , through the drain apparatus  136  and into the toilet bowl. Because the water is unable to refill the tank  112 , the float  130  never raises into the raised position so the valve assembly  128  remains open and the prior art toilet enters a run-on situation. In order to keep this situation from occurring, the toilet flush valve connecting device needs to be installed in place of the chain  146 , see  FIG. 2 . 
         [0023]      FIG. 2  illustrates a front elevation view of a toilet tank  212  including an exemplary embodiment of a toilet flush valve connecting device  210  installed as a part of the toilet tank flushing apparatus  200 . 
         [0024]    The toilet tank flushing apparatus  200  has many of the same components as shown in  FIG. 1 . The water inlet line  224  is connected via a coupling assembly  222  that is attached to the tank inlet  214 . The coupling assembly  222  is in fluid communication with the lower fill valve assembly  220  which is attached to the upper fill valve assembly  218 , thereby allowing incoming water to flow from the water inlet line  224  into the upper fill valve assembly  218 . The valve assembly  228  is attached to the upper fill valve assembly  218  and has a downspout  231  which causes water to flow into the main body of the tank  212  when the valve assembly  228  is actuated. The float rod  226  is operatively connected to the valve assembly  228  and extends therefrom; at the other end of the float rod  226  is the float  230 . 
         [0025]    Also extending from the valve assembly  228  is a refill line  234  that refills the toilet bowl after a flush. The refill line  234  runs into the overflow tube  232  which is in fluid communication with the tank drain apparatus  236 . The drain apparatus  236  is positioned in the tank outlet  216  and is in fluid communication with the toilet bowl line  217  which is attached to the toilet bowl and provides the path for water from the tank  212  to enter the bowl during a flush cycle. The flapper valve  240  seals against the drain apparatus  236  using the flapper valve seal  238 . When sealed, water from the tank  212  can not enter the drain apparatus  236 . The flapper valve  240  is connected to the drain apparatus  236  via a hinge  249 . 
         [0026]    The flush handle  242  is rotatably mounted on the outside of the toilet tank  212  such that it can be actuated by a user in order to flush the toilet. Inside the tank  212 , the handle  242  is affixed to the trip rod  244 . The trip rod  244  is connected to the flapper valve  240  by the toilet flush valve connecting device  210 . The connecting device  210  comprises a flexible, funicular element  250  and a flexible element connector  260 . The flexible, funicular element  250  is attached to the trip rod  244  at one of the plurality of trip rod connecting points  245 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2 , attachment is shown by looping the funicular element  250  through a connecting point  245 ; in other embodiments, the funicular element  250  can be tied, soldered, glued or otherwise attached to the trip rod  244 . The flexible, funicular element  250  is attached to the flapper valve  240  as well. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2 , attachment is illustrated as being accomplished by looping the funicular element  250  through an attachment hole  248  in a flapper member  247  extending upwards from the main body of the flapper valve  240 . In other embodiments, the funicular element  250  can be tied, soldered, glued, or otherwise attached to the flapper valve  240  or flapper member  247 . The two ends of the funicular element  250  are brought together and affixed via the flexible element connector  260 . For more detail, see  FIGS. 3 and 4 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the toilet flush valve connecting device  210  and flapper valve  240  are in their normal, closed positions and the toilet is waiting to be flushed. 
         [0027]    When the user presses down on the end of the flush handle  242 , the handle  242  rotates, thereby lifting the trip rod  244  inside the tank  212 . When the rod  244  lifts, it pulls up on the toilet flush valve connecting device  210 , causing the connecting device  210  to raise the flapper valve  240  and separating the flapper valve seal  238 . The flapper valve  240  hinges upward on the flapper valve hinge  249  and creates an opening into the drain apparatus  236 . Water inside the toilet tank  212  then rushes into the drain apparatus  236 , flows through the toilet bowl line  217  and into the toilet bowl. The user can release the flush handle  242  and the flapper valve  240  will remain open until substantially all of the water in the tank  212  has exited into the bowl. The flapper valve  240  then closes. 
         [0028]    When the water is evacuated from the tank  212 , the float  230  moves downwards as the water is no longer there to hold the float  230  up. With the float  230  in a down position, the valve assembly  228  is opened and incoming water flows into the tank  212  via the downspout  231  and also into the toilet bowl via the toilet bowl refill line  234 . As water fills the tank  212 , it presses up on the float  230  until the float reaches its raised position. When the float  230  is in the raised position, it causes the valve assembly  228  to be closed and water stops flowing into the tank  212  and toilet bowl. The toilet tank  212  is now full of water and the toilet is ready for the next flushing cycle. 
         [0029]    Unlike the prior art shown in  FIG. 1 , the flush cycle of the toilet shown in  FIG. 2  can not be interrupted by a twisted or kinked chain  146  since that component has been replaced by the toilet flush valve connecting device  210 . The flexible, funicular element  250  can not be twisted or kinked like links in a chain no matter how much the user jiggles the handle  242 . There is thus always slack in the connecting device  210  when the handle is released, causing the connecting device  210  to allow the flapper valve  240  to fully close and end the possibility of run-on. 
         [0030]      FIG. 3  illustrates a close-up, perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a toilet flush valve connecting device  310 . The connecting device  310  comprises a flexible, funicular element having a first terminating length  351  and a second terminating length  352  and a flexible element connector  360 . The first and second terminating lengths  351  and  352  are two ends of the entire flexible, funicular element (see  FIG. 2 , item  250 ). The flexible, funicular element  250  is looped through a connecting point  245  on the trip rod  244 , through an attachment hole  248  in a flapper member  247  extending upwards from the main body of the flapper valve  240 , and the two terminating lengths  351  and  352  are brought together and affixed via the flexible element connector  360 . 
         [0031]    The first terminating length  351  is connected to the flexible element connector  360  by drawing the tag end of the first terminating length  351  upwards from the bottom  368  of the connector  360  through the first connector port  361 , looping it over and, while leaving a first loop  353  extending from the top of the first connector port  361 , drawing the tag end of the first terminating length  351  back down from the top  367  of the connector  360  through the first connector port  361  and out the bottom  368 . The tag end of the first terminating length  351  is then brought around from the bottom  368  of the flexible element connector  360  and pushed through the first loop  353 . When the first terminating length  351  is drawn tight, this arrangement causes the first terminating length  351  to be fixably attached to the flexible element connector  360  while remaining easily removed, adjusted and reattached. Furthermore, the flexible, funicular element  250  can be provided to a consumer in an extra long length so that it fits almost all of the toilet designs. The consumer simply trims any excess once the device is installed in the toilet. 
         [0032]    The second terminating length  352  is connected to the flexible element connector  360  by drawing the tag end of the second terminating length  352  upwards from the bottom  368  of the connector  360  through the second connector port  362 , looping it over and, while leaving a second loop  354  extending from the top of the second connector port  362 , drawing the tag end of the second terminating length  352  back down from the top  367  of the connector  360  through the second connector port  362  and out the bottom  368 . The tag end of the second terminating length  352  is then brought around from the bottom  368  of the flexible element connector  360  and pushed through the second loop  354 . When the second terminating length  352  is drawn tight, this arrangement causes the second terminating length  352  to be fixably attached to the flexible element connector  360  while remaining easily removed, adjusted and reattached. 
         [0033]    In other embodiments, the first and second terminating lengths  351  and  352  of the funicular element  250  can be knotted or otherwise removably attached to the flexible element connector in a manner that differs from that disclosed in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0034]    In one embodiment, the flexible, funicular element  250  can be monofilament line. Other flexible elements such as thin walled tubing, braided line, etc. can be used in other embodiments. Regardless of material used, the flexible, funicular element  250  should have a small enough diameter to allow for sufficient flexibility and yet large enough to provide some strength/stiffness. In one embodiment, the diameter of monofilament line that is used is between approximately 0.015 inches to 0.035 inches, but other diameters are contemplated. 
         [0035]    Similarly, the flexible element connector  360  can be fabricated from plastic in one embodiment. In other embodiments, other materials such as steel, aluminum, wood, etc. are also suitable and can be utilized as long as they are (or can be made) somewhat resistant to water degradation. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , the flexible element connector  360  is illustrated in the shape of a rectangle being approximately one half inch by one inch by one-eighth inch thick. Many other sizes and shapes including disks, cylinders, squares, balls, ovals, triangles, quadrilaterals, pentagons, etc. can also be used in other embodiments. 
         [0036]    The first and second connector ports  361  and  362  extend through the flexible element connector  360  and have diameters approximately equal to twice the diameter of the flexible, funicular element  250  to allow for loop  353  or  354  to be placed in each port  361  and  362  as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . However, it is possible to utilize knots not requiring loops and thus the ports can have diameters more closely approximating a single diameter of the flexible, funicular element  250 . Furthermore, in other embodiments, differently shaped ports, voids, and perforations would also be suitable. For example, dove-tailed slots could be used with the tag end of the funicular element  250  being slid into the slot and a bead attached to the tag end or an enlarged portion or knot being formed at the tag end to keep it from sliding completely through the slot. In yet another embodiment, v-shaped slots, interference-fit slots, or other friction-fit slots or ports located on the edges of the flexible element connector  360  could be used; wherein the funicular element  250  is pushed into the slots and as the size of the slots decrease with increasing depth, the funicular element  250  is eventually held tightly by friction as it is forced into the slots. Such friction-fit slots could employ a rubber insert (or some other deformable and elastic material) to enhance the friction-fit effect. 
         [0037]      FIG. 4  illustrates a close up, side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a toilet flush valve connecting device  410 . The connecting device  410  comprises a flexible, funicular element  450  having a first terminating length  451  and a second terminating length  452  and a flexible element connector  460 . The first and second terminating lengths  451  and  452  are two ends (a distal end and a proximal end) of the entire flexible, funicular element  450 . The flexible, funicular element  450  is looped through a connecting point  245  on the trip rod  244 , then through an attachment hole  248  in a flapper member  247  extending upwards from the main body of the flapper valve  240 , and the two terminating lengths  451  and  452  are brought together and affixed via the flexible element connector  460 . 
         [0038]    The first terminating length  451  is connected to the flexible element connector  460  by drawing the tag end of the first terminating length  451  upwards from the bottom  468  of the connector  460  through the first connector port  461 , looping it over and, while leaving a first loop  453  extending from the top of the first connector port  461 , drawing the tag end of the first terminating length  451  back down from the top  467  of the connector  460  through the first connector port  461  and out the bottom  468 . The tag end of the first terminating length  451  is then brought around from the bottom  468  of the flexible element connector  460  and pushed through the first loop  453 . When the first terminating length  451  is drawn tight, this arrangement causes the first terminating length  451  to be fixably attached to the flexible element connector  460  while remaining easily removed, adjusted and reattached. 
         [0039]    The second terminating length  452  is connected to the flexible element connector  460  by drawing the tag end of the second terminating length  452  upwards from the bottom  468  of the connector  460  through the second connector port  462 , looping it over and, while leaving a second loop  454  extending from the top of the second connector port  462 , drawing the tag end of the second terminating length  452  back down from the top  467  of the connector  460  through the second connector port  462  and out the bottom  468 . The tag end of the second terminating length  452  is then brought around from the bottom  468  of the flexible element connector  460  and pushed through the second loop  454 . When the second terminating length  452  is drawn tight, this arrangement causes the second terminating length  452  to be fixably attached to the flexible element connector  460  while remaining easily removed, adjusted and reattached. Note that when installing the device  410  in a toilet, enough slack should be left in the flexible, funicular element  450  so that the trip rod can be moved somewhat without lifting the flapper valve. However, the user must avoid leaving too much slack or activation of the flush handle will not open the flapper valve completely. 
         [0040]      FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of a toilet flush valve connecting device  510  installed in a toilet tank flushing apparatus  500 . The toilet tank flushing apparatus  500  has many of the same components as shown in  FIG. 2 . The water inlet line  524  is connected via a coupling assembly  522  that is attached to the tank inlet  514 . The coupling assembly  522  is in fluid communication with the lower fill valve assembly  520  which is attached to the upper fill valve assembly  518 , thereby allowing incoming water to flow from the water inlet line  524  into the upper fill valve assembly  518 . The valve assembly  528  is attached to the upper fill valve assembly  518  and has a downspout  531  which causes water to flow into the main body of the tank  512  when the valve assembly  528  is actuated. The float rod  526  is operatively connected to the valve assembly  528  and extends therefrom; at the other end of the float rod  526  is the float  530 . 
         [0041]    Also extending from the valve assembly  528  is a refill line  534  that refills the toilet bowl after a flush. The refill line  534  runs into the overflow tube  532  which is in fluid communication with the tank drain apparatus  536 . The drain apparatus  536  is positioned in the tank outlet  516  and is in fluid communication with the toilet bowl line  517  which is attached to the toilet bowl and provides the path for water from the tank  512  to enter the bowl during a flush cycle. The flapper valve  540  seals against the drain apparatus  536  using the flapper valve seal  538 . When sealed, water from the tank  512  can not enter the drain apparatus  536 . The flapper valve  540  is connected to the drain apparatus  536  via a hinge  549 . 
         [0042]    The flush handle  542  is rotatably mounted on the outside of the toilet tank  512  such that it can be actuated by a user in order to flush the toilet. Inside the tank  512 , the handle  542  is affixed to the trip rod  544 . The trip rod  544  is connected to the flapper valve  540  by the toilet flush valve connecting device  510 . The connecting device  510  comprises a flexible, funicular element  550  and a flexible element connector  560 . The flexible, funicular element  550  is attached to the trip rod  544  at one of the plurality of trip rod connecting points  545 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 5 , attachment is shown by looping the funicular element  550  through a connecting point  545 ; in other embodiments, the funicular element  550  can be tied, soldered, glued or otherwise attached to the trip rod  544 . The flexible, funicular element  550  is attached to the flapper valve  540  as well. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 5 , attachment is illustrated as being accomplished by looping the funicular element  550  through an attachment hole  548  in a flapper member  547  extending upwards from the main body of the flapper valve  540 . In other embodiments, the funicular element  550  can be tied, soldered, glued, or otherwise attached to the flapper valve  540  or flapper member  547 . The two ends of the funicular element  550  are brought together and affixed via the flexible element connector  560 . For more detail, see  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
         [0043]    In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the flexible element connector  560  is round in shape, being generally disc-shaped or cylinder-shaped. The flexible, funicular element  550  passes through an alignment hole  559  in the connector  560 . This alignment hole  559  can be used to keep the flexible element connector  560  in alignment (i.e., in position between the trip rod  544  and the flapper valve  540 ). In other embodiments, an alignment hole  559  is not utilized and/or present. 
         [0044]    When the user presses down on the end of the flush handle  542 , the handle  542  rotates, thereby lifting the trip rod  544  inside the tank  512 . When the rod  544  lifts, it pulls up on the toilet flush valve connecting device  510 , causing the connecting device  510  to raise the flapper valve  540  and separating the flapper valve seal  538 . The flapper valve  540  hinges upward on the flapper valve hinge  549  and creates an opening into the drain apparatus  536 . Water inside the toilet tank  512  then rushes into the drain apparatus  536 , flows through the toilet bowl line  517  and into the toilet bowl. The user can release the flush handle  542  and the flapper valve  540  will remain open until substantially all of the water in the tank  512  has exited into the bowl. The flapper valve  540  then closes because the water is no longer there to buoy it up and gravity brings it down to the closed position. 
         [0045]    When the water is evacuated from the tank  512 , the float  530  moves downwards as the water is no longer there to hold the float  530  up. With the float  530  in a down position, the valve assembly  528  is opened and incoming water flows into the tank  512  via the downspout  531  and also into the toilet bowl via the toilet bowl refill line  534 . As water fills the tank  512 , it presses up on the float  530  until the float reaches its raised position. When the float  530  is in the raised position, it causes the valve assembly  528  to be closed and water stops flowing into the tank  512  and toilet bowl. The toilet tank  512  is now full of water and the toilet is ready for the next flushing cycle. 
         [0046]    Unlike the prior art shown in  FIG. 1 , the flush cycle of the toilet shown in  FIG. 5  can not be interrupted by a twisted or kinked chain  146  since that component has been replaced by the toilet flush valve connecting device  510 . The flexible, funicular element  550  can not be twisted or kinked like links in a chain no matter how much the user jiggles the handle  542 . There is thus always slack in the connecting device  510  when the handle is released, causing the connecting device  510  to allow the flapper valve  540  to fully close and end the possibility of run-on. 
         [0047]    In another embodiment, one end of the flexible, funicular element  550  is permanently affixed to the flexible element connector  560 . The funicular element  550  can then be threaded through the attachment hole  548  in the flapper valve, up and through one of the plurality of trip rod connecting points  545  and then be fixably attached to the flexible element connector  560  utilizing the port/loop/tag end means as described in  FIGS. 3 and 4  or some other knot or attachment means. 
         [0048]    The advantages of the toilet flush valve connecting device should be immediately apparent: (a) the use of a flexible, non-segmented element to actuate the flapper valve reduces the incidence of run-on tremendously; (b) manufacturing costs of the disclosed device are extremely low; (c) installation is simple and can be accomplished by an average person; (d) no plumber or plumbing professional is required; (e) the only tool needed for installation is a pair of diagonal cutters to disassemble the prior art chain portion; and (f) the invention lends itself to OEM. 
         [0049]    While particular embodiments of the invention have been described and disclosed in the present application, it should be understood that any number of permutations, modifications, or embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. Accordingly, it is not the intention of this application to limit this invention in any way except as by the appended claims. 
         [0050]    Particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the invention with which that terminology is associated. In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be construed to limit the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification, unless the above Detailed Description section explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope of the invention encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the invention. 
         [0051]    The above detailed description of the embodiments of the invention is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise embodiment or form disclosed herein or to the particular field of usage mentioned in this disclosure. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. Also, the teachings of the invention provided herein can be applied to other systems, not necessarily the system described above. The elements and acts of the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. 
         [0052]    In light of the above “Detailed Description,” the Inventor may make changes to the invention. While the detailed description outlines possible embodiments of the invention and discloses the best mode contemplated, no matter how detailed the above appears in text, the invention may be practiced in a myriad of ways. Thus, implementation details may vary considerably while still being encompassed by the spirit of the invention as disclosed by the inventor. As discussed herein, specific terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the invention with which that terminology is associated. 
         [0053]    While certain aspects of the invention are presented below in certain claim forms, the inventor contemplates the various aspects of the invention in any number of claim forms. Accordingly, the inventor reserves the right to add additional claims after filing the application to pursue such additional claim forms for other aspects of the invention. 
         [0054]    The above specification, examples and data provide a description of the structure and use of exemplary implementations of the described articles of manufacture and methods. It is important to note that many implementations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.