Dual capacity flush valve assembly for a toilet
OwnerPeter Shiminventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A dual-flush flapper valve assembly, set for a normally short flush, is provided for use with a pivoting flapper valve in a flush tank. The assembly comprises a weight, which moves back and forth along a guide relative to the flapper's pivot point. The moveable weight, if activated, temporarily reduces the turning moment arm of the flapper for ensuring a long flush. The assembly further comprises an actuator to trap and release the weight, resulting in either a short flush (when the weight is remote from the pivot) or a long flush (when the weight is close to the pivot). The flapper assembly is engageable through a resistance force, for selectively triggering the actuator, shifting the weight and resulting in a long flush. After a long flush the assembly resets for a short flush, until activated once again.
Claims10
A dual flush assembly for a flapper valve having a valve rotatable about a pivot when actuated for opening the valve, the assembly comprising:
- a guide adapted to the valve and extending at least a partly between the valve and the pivot;
- a weight movable along the guide for varying a turning moment of the weight, guide and valve about the pivot;
- and
- a resettable latch adapted for connection to a tensile member for actuating the latch between two positions,
- a short flush position wherein when the valve is pivoted upwardly, the latch remains latched and the weight is maintained adjacent the valve for maximizing the turning moment for closing the valve, and
- a long flush position wherein when the valve is pivoted upwardly, the latch is released so the weight moves closer to the pivot, for minimizing the turning moment to close the valve, and once the valve closes, the weight moves adjacent the valve and the latch resets in the short flush position.
A method for varying flush capability for toilets having a flapper valve rotatable about a pivot when actuated with a tensile member for opening the valve, comprising:
- providing a guide adapted to the valve and extending at least partly between the valve and the pivot
- providing a weight movable along the guide between the valve and the pivot for varying a turning moment of the weight and valve about the pivot;
- providing a resettable latch which is connected between the valve and the tensile member and which is biased in the latched position for maintaining the weight adjacent the valve;
- lifting the latch and valve with the tensile member;
- and
- applying tension in the tensile member for actuating the latch between two positions,
- a short flush position wherein when the valve is pivoted upwardly, the latch remains latched and the weight is maintained adjacent the valve for maximizing the turning moment for closing the valve, and
- a long flush position wherein when the valve is pivoted upwardly, the latch is released so the weight moves closer to the pivot, for minimizing the turning moment to close the valve, and once the valve closes, the weight moves adjacent the valve for resetting the latch in the short flush position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.