Device for controlling the discharge valve of a lavatory flush tank

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for controlling the discharge valve of a lavatory flush tank.

[0002] Various types of flush tank discharge valve control devices are known for effecting either full drainage or selective full or partial drainage of the tank. Control devices are also known in which the same button is pressed once to open the discharge valve, and a second time to close the valve and so control discharge as required.

[0003] All these known devices are manufactured to operate in a specific way, which, once the device is installed, cannot be altered. That is, a control device designed to discharge a fixed quantity of water cannot be altered to discharge a variable quantity, and vice versa.

[0004] DE-U-29904933 discloses a device wherein two control assemblies may be replaced to each other for changing the operation mode of the flush tank; this device requires the whole assembly to be removed in order to change the operation mode.

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a discharge valve control device enabling alterations to the operating mode by means of straightforward operations and/or part replacements, even after the device is installed.

[0006] According to the present invention, there is provided a device for controlling the discharge valve of a lavatory flush tank, as claimed in claim 1.

[0007] A preferred, non-limiting embodiment of the invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a schematic partial side view of a discharge valve control device in accordance with the present invention and set to a first operating mode;

Figure 2 shows a view in perspective of a detail of the Figure 1 device;

Figure 3 shows a partial view of the Figure 1 control device set to another operating mode;

Figure 4 shows a view in perspective of a detail in Figure 3.

[0008] Number 5 in Figure 1 indicates as a whole a device for controlling the discharge valve of a lavatory flush tank, of which Figure 1 shows a portion of a lateral wall 6, which may be positioned horizontally or vertically. More specifically, the tank may be recessed in a wall; and device 5 comprises a manual-control button 7, which is guided horizontally inside a ring nut 8 fixed in known manner to wall 6.

[0009] Device 5 comprises an actuating member defined by a tie 9, which is normally maintained in the rest position shown in Figure 1, and which is movable towards button 7 into a work position, shown by the dash lines in Figure 1, to open the discharge valve. The discharge valve normally comprises a ring of elastic material fixed to an overflow pipe; is opened by raising the overflow pipe; and is closed by a float when the set quantity of water, e.g. for total or partial drainage of the tank, has been discharged.

[0010] More specifically, tie 9 is defined by a long screw comprising a nonthreaded portion 11, and a head 12 in the form of a flange and having a slot 13 for receiving an adjusting tool, e.g. a screwdriver. The screw engages a nut screw 14 having two pins 16 engaging two tabs 15 of a transmission member defined by a lever 17. Lever 17 pivots on a fixed pin 18 and has an arm 19 engaging a slot 21 in an appendix 22 integral with the overflow pipe. By rotating the screw, the distance between nut screw 14 and button 7 is adjustable to adapt the position of lever 17 to that of button 7.

[0011] The screw is connected in articulated manner to a lever 23 activated by button 7. More specifically, lever 23 has two pins 24 (see also Figure 2) by which it pivots on two appendixes 26 of ring nut 8, and comprises a bottom arm 27, the rounded end of which is engaged by an inner appendix 28 of button 7. Lever 23 also comprises a top arm with a fork 29 having two recesses 31, which click onto respective pins 32 carried by a ring 33 on the nonthreaded portion 11 of the screw.

[0012] A compression spring 36 is located between arm 27 of lever 23 and an appendix 34 on the inner surface of button 7, to keep button 7 normally in the rest position, and to keep ring 33 resting against head 12, which acts as a shoulder. The screw is kept in the rest position by the weight of the overflow pipe via transmission lever 17.

[0013] In the Figure 1 condition, device 5 is set to discharge a fixed quantity of water from the tank : when button 7 is pressed, appendix 28 engages the end of arm 27 to rotate lever 23 anticlockwise; and, by means of fork 29 and ring 33, lever 23 moves the screw towards button 7, so that transmission lever 17, by means of appendix 22, opens the discharge valve. When the set amount of water has been discharged, transmission lever 17 is rotated clockwise by the weight of the overflow pipe and restores the screw and lever 23 to the rest position.

[0014] To alter control device 5 to cut off discharge at any time, button 7 need simply be removed in known manner and ring 33 simply replaced with a substitute member indicated as a whole by 37 (Figures 3 and 4). More specifically, member 37 comprises a semicylindrical wall 39, which extends in the form of two parallel portions 41 and supports two diametrically-opposite pins 42 similar to pins 32 of ring 33 and which also click inside recesses 31 (Figure 2) on fork 29 of lever 23.

[0015] Member 37 (Figures 3 and 4) also comprises a transverse wall 43 which, together with wall 39 and portions 41, forms a U-shaped seat 44 which fits onto head 12 of the screw. Wall 43 has a hole 45 for enabling engagement of slot 13 by a screwdriver, and extends in the form of a tab 46 which is engaged by a further inner appendix 47 of button 7 when button 7 is pressed and the screw is in the work position shown by the dash line in Figure 3. Tab 46 is connected to the two parallel portions 41 by two reinforcing brackets 48.

[0016] To alter the operating mode of the Figure 1 control device 5 already installed on the tank, button 7 is removed; fork 29 is released from the two pins 32 on ring 33, which is moved along the screw and left loose in the position shown in Figure 3; substitute member 37 is fitted onto the screw by fitting U-shaped seat 44 onto head 12; and recesses 31 (Figure 2) on fork 29 are clicked onto pins 42 of member 37 as shown in Figure 3.

[0017] Control device 5 in Figure 3 operates as follows.

[0018] When button 7 is pressed, appendix 28 rotates lever 23 anticlockwise as in Figure 1; lever 23 moves member 37, which in turn moves tab 46 towards appendix 47 of button 7. In other words, member 37 moves the screw leftwards to open the discharge valve and, at the same time, is set in a position for enabling the button 7 to cut off the discharge.

[0019] To cut off discharge before the overflow pipe closes the discharge valve, button 7 is simply pressed again, so that appendix 47 engages tab 46 of member 37, which moves the screw rightwards in Figure 3, so that transmission lever 17 lowers the overflow pipe positively to close the discharge valve.

[0020] By performing the above operations in reverse order, member 37 fitted to control device 5 as shown in Figure 3 may obviously be removed from the screw, and fork 29 reconnected to pins 32 of ring 33 left loose on screw 9, so as to return an any time to the full-discharge condition in Figure 1. Member 37 may obviously be connected selectively and removably to head 12 of screw 9 and to lever 23.

[0021] The advantages, with respect to known devices, of the control device according to the invention will be clear from the foregoing description. In particular, the operating mode of the flush tank can be determined easily on the basis of one component, and can be altered at any time, even once the device is installed, by simply changing one component part.

[0022] Clearly, changes may be made to the device as described herein without, however, departing from the scope of the accompanying Claims. For example, button 7 may be fitted to the top wall of the tank; member 37 may be formed otherwise than as described; and the screw may be replaced with a tie having a straightforward flange.

Claims

1. A device for controlling the discharge valve of a lavatory flush tank, comprising a button (7) for manually controlling the valve, and an actuating member normally maintained in a rest position and which is moved by said button (7) into a work position to open the valve and is restored to said rest position by said valve following discharge; said actuating member being defined by a tie (9) connected to a lever (23) activated by said button (7); the device being characterized by said lever (23) being pivotably activated relative to said button (7), and by a substitute member (37) activated by said button (7) to interrupt drainage of said tank; said substitute member (37) being fittable selectively and removably to said tie (9) already installed on the tank and being connectable in articulated manner to said lever (23).

2. A device as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that said substitute member (37) comprises a semicylindrical wall (39) fittable to said tie (9) and connectable in articulated manner to said lever (23).

3. A device as claimed in Claim 2, characterized in that said substitute member (37) also comprises a tab (46) activated by said button (7) when said tie (9) is in said work position; a compression spring (36) being provided between said lever (23) and said button (7).

4. A device as claimed in Claim 3, characterized in that said tie (9) comprises a shoulder (12) engaged by a ring (33) having two diametrically-opposite pins (32); said lever (23) having a fork (29) in turn having two recesses (31) which click onto said pins (32).

5. A device as claimed in Claim 4, characterized in that said semicylindrical wall (39) has two corresponding diametrically-opposite pins (42) enabling assembly of said substitute member (37) in lieu of said ring (33).

6. A device as claimed in Claim 5, characterized in that said shoulder is defined by a flange (12) of said tie (9); said semicylindrical wall (39) being associated with two parallel portions (41), and having a U-shaped seat (44) which fits onto said flange (12).

7. A device as claimed in Claim 6, characterized in that said tie (9) is defined by a screw , and said flange is defined by the head (12) of said screw ; said screw engaging a nut screw (14) connected to a transmission member (17) for activating the discharge valve, so as to adapt the position of said transmission member (17) with respect to said button (7).

8. A device as claimed in Claim 7, characterized in that said button (7) is fitted to a lateral wall (6) of said tank; the head (12) of said screw being engageable by an adjusting tool; and said substitute member (37) comprising a transverse wall (43) engaging said head (12) and having an opening (45) for the passage of said tool.

Ansprüche

1. Vorrichtung zum Steuern des Auslassventils eines Spülkastens, mit einem Knopf (7) zum manuellen Steuern des Ventils und einem Betätigungsglied, das normalerweise in einer Ruheposition gehalten wird und das von dem Knopf (7) zum Öffnen des Ventils in eine Arbeitsposition bewegt und im Anschluss an den Abgabevorgang vor dem Ventil in die Ruheposition zurückgestellt wird; wobei das Betätigungsglied von einem Zugglied (9) gebildet wird, das mit einem von dem Knopf (7) betätigten Hebel (23) verbunden ist; welche Vorrichtung dadurch gekennzeichnet ist, dass der Hebel (23) relativ zu dem Knopf (7) schwenkbar betätigt wird und dass ein Ersatzglied (37) durch den Knopf (7) betätigt wird, um das Entleeren des Kastens zu unterbrechen, wobei das Ersatzglied (37) wahlweise befestigbar am und entfernbar von dem Zugglied (9) ist, welches bereits an dem Kasten angebracht und auf schwenkbare Weise mit dem Hebel (23) verbindbar ist.

2. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Ersatzglied (37) eine halbzylindrische Wand (39) aufweist, die an dem Zugglied (9) befestigbar und auf schwenkbare Weise mit dem Hebel (23) verbindbar ist.

3. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Ersatzglied (37) ferner eine Lasche (46) aufweist, die von dem Knopf (7) betätigt wird, wenn das Zugglied (9) in der Arbeitsposition ist; wobei eine Druckfeder (36) zwischen dem Hebel (23) und dem Knopf (7) vorgesehen ist.

4. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Zugglied (9) eine Schulter (12) aufweist, die von einem Ring (33) erfasst wird, welcher zwei diametral gegenüberliegende Zapfen (32) hat; wobei der Hebel (23) eine Gabel (29) hat, die ihrerseits zwei Ausnehmungen (31) hat, welche auf die Zapfen (32) schnappen.

5. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die halbzylindrische Wand (39) zwei entsprechende diametral gegenüberliegende Zapfen (42) hat, die einen Einbau des Ersatzgliedes (37) anstelle des Ringes (33) ermöglichen.

6. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Schulter von einem Flansch (12) des Zuggliedes (9) gebildet wird; wobei die halbzylindrische Wand (39) mit zwei parallelen Abschnitten (41) versehen ist und eine U-förmige Aufnahme (44) hat, die auf dem Flansch (12) sitzt.

7. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Zugglied (9) von einer Schraube gebildet wird und der Flansch von dem Kopf (12) der Schraube gebildet wird; wobei die Schraube mit einer Mutter ( 14) in Eingriff ist, die mit einem Übertragungsglied (17) zum Betätigen des Auslassventils verbunden ist, um die Position des Übertragungsgliedes (17) bezüglich des Knopfes (7) anzupassen.

8. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Knopf (7) an einer seitlichen Wand (6) des Kastens befestigt ist; wobei der Kopf (12) der Schraube von einem Einstellwerkzeug erfassbar ist; und das Ersatzglied (37) eine quer verlaufende Wand (43) aufweist, die an dem Kopf (12) angreift und eine Öffnung (45) für den Durchtritt des Einstellwerkzeuges hat.

Revendications

1. Dispositif de commande de la soupape d'évacuation d'un réservoir de chasse d'eau, comprenant un bouton (7) destiné à commander manuellement la soupape, et un élément d'actionnement maintenu normalement dans une position de repos et qui est déplacé par ledit bouton (7) dans une position de travail pour ouvrir la soupape et est replacé à ladite position de repos par ladite soupape après l'évacuation; ledit élément d'actionnement étant défini par un lien (9) raccordé à un levier (23) activé par ledit bouton (7) ; le dispositif étant caractérisé par ledit levier (23) étant activé de façon pivotante par rapport au dit bouton (7), et par un élément de substitution (37) activé par ledit bouton (7) pour interrompre le drainage dudit réservoir ; ledit élément de substitution (37) pouvant être ajusté de manière sélective et amovible par rapport au dit lien (9) déjà installé sur le réservoir et pouvant être raccordé d'une manière particulière au dit levier (23).

2. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que ledit élément de substitution (37) comprend une paroi semi-cylindrique (39) pouvant être adaptée au dit lien (9) et pouvant être raccordée d'une manière articulée au dit levier (23).

3. Dispositif selon la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce que ledit élément de substitution (37) comprend également une languette (46) activée par ledit bouton (7) lorsque ledit lien (9) se trouve dans ladite position de travail ; un ressort de compression (36) étant prévu entre ledit levier (23) et ledit bouton (7).

4. Dispositif selon la revendication 3, caractérisé en ce que ledit lien (9) comprend un épaulement (12) mis en prise par un anneau (33) présentant deux broches (32) diamétralement opposées ledit levier (23) présentant une fourche (29) possédant à son tour deux encoches (31) qui s'enclenchent sur lesdites broches (32).

5. Dispositif selon la revendication 4, caractérisé en ce que ladite paroi semi-cylindrique (39) présente deux broches (42) diamétralement opposées correspondantes permettant l'assemblage dudit élément de substitution (37) en lieu et place de ladite bague (33).

6. Dispositif selon la revendication 5, caractérisé en ce que ledit épaulement est défini par un rebord (12) dudit lien (9) ; ladite paroi semi-cylindrique (39) étant associée à deux parties parallèles (41), et présentant un siège en forme de U (44) qui s'ajuste sur ledit rebord (12).

7. Dispositif selon la revendication 6, caractérisé en ce que ledit lien (9) est défini par une vis, et ledit rebord est défini par la tête (12) de ladite vis ; ladite vis mettant en prise une vis-écrou (14) raccordée à un élément de transmission (17) destiné à activer la soupape d'évacuation, de manière à adapter la position dudit élément de transmission (17) par rapport au dit bouton (7).

8. Dispositif selon la revendication 7, caractérisé en ce que ledit bouton (7) est ajusté par rapport à une paroi latérale (6) dudit réservoir ; la tête (12) de ladite vis étant mise en prise par un outil de réglage ; et ledit élément de substitution (37) comprenant une paroi transversale (43) mettant en prise ladite tête (12) et présentant une ouverture (45) pour le passage dudit outil.

Drawing