Float valve mechanism

A float valve mechanism for a cistern or tank, said mechanism comprising a valve housing defining a closed chamber having an inlet port adapted to be connected to an inlet pipe to the cistern or tank, an outlet port from the chamber having a conical valve seat surrounding the port, a valve member passing through the outlet port and having a valve head located within the chamber, a pivotally mounted lever, a float at one end of the lever remote from the chamber, means connecting the lever to the valve member to raise the head from the seat, when water or other liquid in the cistern or tank falls below a certain level, effective to allow liquid to flow from the chamber via the outlet port, the valve member being connected directly to the lever, whereby it may pivot integrally therewith along a path passing through said outlet port, a conical surface on said valve head adapted to engage the conical valve seat in a liquid tight manner, and a skirt portion integrally formed on said valve head and extending downwardly beyond the narrower end of the conical surface of said valve head, and having a diameter slightly less than the smallest diameter of said conical valve seat, whereby, as the valve moves toward its closed position, and as said skirt portion passes through the outlet port, it is effective to slow the flow of water or other liquid through said outlet port immediate prior to closing and thereby prevents water or other liquid hammering from occurring.