US 4,412,362 AGranted

Partial flush apparatus utilizing pneumatic time delay mechanism

OwnerKenneth G. Nylundinventor

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Abstract

A partial flush apparatus, for use in conjunction with a conventional flush toilet, utilizes a pneumatic time delay mechanism for partially flushing the contents of the water tank into the toilet bowl. An extension member is secured to the conventional flush handle lever arm and a cable extends between the extension member and a plunger of the pneumatic time delay mechanism. When depressed, the plunger lifts the extension member and thereby partially opens a flapper valve at the bottom of the water tank for a predetermined time. The pneumatic time delay mechanism includes a spring for biasing the plunger to a released position after the plunger has been depressed. The plunger incoporates a one-way valve for facilitating movement of the plunger to the depressed position. The plunger also includes a longitudinal bore forming part of a fluid conducting path that controls the return of the plunger to the released position. An adjustable metering rod is received by the longitudinal bore for initially restricting the flow of fluid therethrough.

Claims14

Dependent claims

A partial flush apparatus for use in conjunction with a conventional toilet of the type having a water tank, a flapper valve mounted at the bottom of the water tank, a flush handle, a lever arm disposed within the water tank and having a first end connected to the flush handle and having a second end opposite the first end, and a first flexible linkage coupling the flapper valve to the second end of the lever arm for raising the flapper valve when the flush handle is operated, said partial flush apparatus comprising in combination:

a. pneumatic time delay means secured to said water tank substantially external therefrom, said pneumatic time delay means including a plunger slidingly extending therein and biased toward a released position, said plunger having an actuator operated by the user apart from said flush handle for depressing said plunger from the released position to a depressed position, said pneumatic time delay means retarding the return of said plunger from the depressed position to the released position for a predetermined time;
and
b. coupling means for coupling the second end of said lever arm to said plunger in order to raise the second end of the lever arm for partially opening the flapper valve for the predetermined time whenever the user actuates said plunger, said coupling means including a second flexible linkage which is made taut when said plunger is depressed and which is slackened when said flush handle is operated for preventing said pneumatic time delay means from interfering with the normal operation of said lever arm when said flush handle is operated.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.