Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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FIELD OF TH~ INVENTION
This invention rela-tes generally to toilets and is
concerned more particularly with flush toilets; that is
toilets having means for delivering a flushing liquid
(usually water) into the bowl of the toilet as an aid to
removing waste material and rinsing the bowl.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Flush toilets for domestic use are generally
designed to operate using a relatively large vol~me of water
and because of this are not suitable for use in environments
in which large volumes of water and/or high capacity waste
disposal systems are not available, for example in recre-
ational vehicles, cottages, etc. Low volume flush toilets
have therefore been developed for this type of application.
The present invention has been devised primarily (but not
exclusively) in connection with a toilet of this type.
Generally, low volume flush toilets are designed
to operate using to a low pressure flush water supply such
as may typically be found in a cottage or recreational
vehicle. Portable toilets having flushing systems have also
been devised. Typically, a reservoir for flushing liquid is
incorporated in the toilet around the bowl and a manually
operable pump is provided for dispensing liquid from the
reservoir into the bowl.
In neither type of flush toilet is the volume of
flush liquid sufficient to empty a trap such as is conven-
tionally provided at the bowl outlet of a domestic toilet.
Normal practice, therefore, is to provide a plain, usually
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circular opening at the bottom of the toilet bowl and a
mechanical sealing mechanism for closing the outlet.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
Many different types of sealing mechanisms have
been proposed. For example, United States Pa-tent No.
3,570,018 (Sargent et al.) shows a sealing mechanism in the
form of a valve member that slides transversely across the
bowl opening. A slide valve has the disadvantage that it
tends to abrade the seal that is normally provided around
the bowl outlet.
United States Patent No. 3,939,501 (Sargent) shows
a sealing mechanism including a flexible diaphragm that is
tensioned into contact with the bowl ou-tlet so as to seal
the outlet. The toilet is flushed by depressing a lever
moves the diaphragm to a position in which it uncovers the
bowl outlet.
United States Patent No. 4,192,027 (Sargent et
al.) shows a yoke-shaped, pivotal valve member for opening
and closing the bowl outlet. An actuation member moves
relative to the valve member and co-operating cam surfaces
on the valve member and actuation member urge the valve
member upwardly to seal the bowl outlet.
Yet another proposal is shown in United States
Patent No. 4,032,996 (Sargent et al.). In this case, the
bowl outlet is closed by a movable blade pivotally supported
on an arm of a vertically disposed crank which is spring-
actuated to press the blade against the bowl outlet. The
crank can be depressed and pivoted to move the blade aside
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0 for flushing of the toilet.
United States Patents Nos. 4,091,475 (Hewson et
al.) and 4,439,875 (Stewart et al.~ disclose examples of a
toilet having a sealing mechanism in the form of a valve
member that moves generally vertically towards and away from
the bowl outlet and then laterally to open the outlet so as
to avoid abrasion of the outlet seal.
SUMMARY OP THE INVENTION
One aspect of the invention provides an improved
valve arrangement for a flush toilet. The toilet has a bowl
with a downwardly opening waste outlet at a lower end
thereof, surrounded by an annular sealing surface. A housing
supports the bowl above a floor surface and defines an
internal space below the bowl outlet for receiving waste
from the bowl. The housing has a bottom wall that includes a
waste disposal outlet from the said space for connection to
external waste disposal means. A valve member is adapted to
co-operate with the annular sealing surface surrounding the
bowl outlet, for closing the outlet. The valve member is
pivotally supported for movement between a closed position
in which it co-operates with the sealing surface and closes
the bowl outlet, and an open position clear of the bowl
outlet and the valve member is constrained to swing down-
wardly away from the sealing surface while moving laterally
towards its open position when the bowl outlet is to be
opened. The toilet also includes actuation means accessible
from externally of the housing for moving the valve member
between its closed and open positions and flush means
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operable to deliver flushing liqid into the bowl at
appropriate times.
Another aspect of the invention provides a flush
toilet having a toilet bowl with a downwardly opening waste
outlet at a lower end thereof surrounded by an annular
sealing surface, means for supporting the bowl above a floor
surface and flush means operable to deliver flushing liquid
into the bowl at appropriate times and including a water
inlet valve for coupling to an external water supply. A
valve member is adapted to co-operate with the annular
sealing surface surrounding the bowl outlet for c]osing the
outlet and is supported for movement between its closed
position and an open position clear of the outlet. The
toilet also has actuation means including a foot pedal
accessible from externally of the toilet and movable between
a normal elevated position to which the pedal is biassed and
a depressed operating position. The foot pedal is connected
with the valve member for moving the member between its
closed and open positions by connecting means including a
first cable displaceable in response to depression of the
foot pedal to move the valve member from its closed position
to its open position. A second cable is connected between
the foot pedal and the flush water inlet valve and is
arranged to open the valve in response to depression of the
pedal. Means is provided effective on release of the foot
pedal to return the valve member to its closed position and
close the water inlet valve. The foot pedal is arranged,
when in its depressed operating position, to abut a floor
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surface on which the toilet is supported so that depression
beyond said position and hence overstraining of the compo-
nents actuated by the actuation means is positively
prevented.
5A further aspect of the invention provides an
improvement in the flush means of a toilet of the type in
which the bowl outlet is closed by a valve member pivotally
supported for movement between a closed position in which
the member co-operates with a sealing surface around the
10bowl outlet and closes the outlet and an open position clear
of the bowl outlet. The flush means is operable to deliver
flushing water into the bowl at appropriate times and
includes a water inlet valve having an inlet for coupling to
an external water supply and an outler, nozzle means in an
15upper region of the bowl through which flush water is
delivered to the bowl, a pipe extending around an upper
portion of the toilet bowl at least substantially above the
level of the nozzle means, said pipe connecting the nozzle
means with the outlet of the flush water inlet valve and
20defining a reservoir for retaining a body of flush water
after closure of said inlet valve. The inlet valve includes
vacuum breaker means arranged to open in response to closure
of the valve and admit air to the reservoir, permitting
water in the reservoir to drain through the nozzle.
25Actuation means is provided and is accessible from exter-
nally of the housing for operating the water inlet valve and
moving the valve member between its closed and open posi-
tions. The actuation means is arranged so that the valve
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member is closed during draining of the reservoir to permit
refilling of the bowl from the reservoir with a residual
amount of flush water.
In a still further aspect of the invention, a
flush water inlet valve of a flush toilet is readily
removable from externally of the toilet. The toilet has a
bowl supported by a housing as defined above, and a valve
member adapted to co-operate with an annular sealing surface
surrounding the bowl outlet for closing the outlet. The
valve member is supported for movement between a closed
position in which the valve member co-operates with the said
sealing surface and closes the bowl outlet, and an open
position clear of the bowl outlet. Actuation means acces-
sible from externally of the housing is provided for moving
the valve member between its closed and open positions. The
flush water inlet valve is disposed on the upper housing
part rearwardly of the toilet bowl and is accessible from
externally of the toilet. The valve includes a valve body
disposed on a support surface of the upper housing part and
having an internally screw-threaded water inlet passageway
opening into a lower face of the body. A generally tubular
coupling member extends upwardly through an opening in the
said surface and is threaded at an upper end portion thereof
into the water inlet passageway of the valve body. The
coupling member has a lower end portion adapted to be
coupled to a water supply and an external rib intermediate
said end portions arranged to co-operate with the housing
around said opening as the coupling member is screwed into
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said passageway on the valve body to clamp the body against
the support surface. The housing is shaped to provide access
to the coupling member below the valve body so that the
valve can be released from the toilet by unscrewing the
coupling member.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In order that the invention may be more clearly
understood, reference will now be made to the accompanying
drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the
invention by way of example, and in which:
Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a flush
toilet in accordance with the invention;
Fig. 2 is an underneath perspective view of an
upper part of the toilet housing including the toilet bowl;
Fig. 3 is a sectional view on line 3-3 of Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but showing the
valve member of the toilet in an open position;
Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view on line 5-5 of
Fig. 2 showing the valve member in both open and closed
positions;
Fig. 6 is a sectional view on line 6-6 of Fig. 5;
Fig. 7 is a detail view of the part of Fig. 1
indicated by the circle denoted A;
Fig. 8 is a partial vertical sectional view on
line 8-8 of Fig. 1 with the toilet assembled;
Fig. 9 is a front elevational view of the flush
valve of the toilet;
Fig. 10 is a partial sectional view on line 10-10
of Fig. 9;
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Fig. 11 is a detail perspective view, partly in
section and partly exploded, showing a foot pedal actuator
of the toilet;
Fig~ 12 is a rear perspective view of the
assembled toilet;
Fig. 13 is a sectional view on line 13-13 of Fig.
12; and,
Fig. 14 is a detail vertical sectional view on
line 14-14 of Fig. 1, illustrating installation of the
toilet to a standard floor flange of a sewage disposal
system.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring first to Fig. 1 a flush toilet is shown
to include a housing 20 made up of an upper housing part 22
and a lower housing part 24. Each of the two housing parts
is a one-piece plastic moulding. The upper housing part 22
incorporates a toilet bowl 26 and is designed to fit onto
the lower housing part 24 so that the toilet bowl is
supported above a floor surface on which the toilet is
disposed. A seat and lid, denoted 28 and 30 respectively are
designed to pivotally coupled to the upper housing part 22
generally in conventional fashion so that the toilet, with
the seat and lid in closed positions has the general
appearance shown in Fig. 12, when viewed from the rear.
Toilet bowl 26 has a downwardly opening waste
outlet 32 at a lower end thereof. When the housing is
assembled, the two housing parts 22, 24 together define an
1273~52
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internal space below the bowl outlet 32 for receiving waste
from the bowl. That space itself has a waste disposal outlet
34 in a bottom wall 24a of housing part 24, for connection
to external waste disposal means such as a vertical downpipe
of a conventional sewage system, for example as shown in
Fig. 14 (to be described).
A valve mechanism for closing the bowl outlet 32
is generally designated by reference numeral 36 in Fig. 1
and includes a valve member or clapper 38 which is pivotally
suspended from the upper housing part 22 for movement
between the closed position in which it is shown in Fig. 1
and an open position clear of outlet 32. The valve mechanism
and its operation will be described in more detail later.
The toilet is designed to be flushed using water
from an external water supply that is connected to a water
inlet valve 40 supported on the upper housing part 22
rearwardly o~ the toilet bowl.
Fig. 1 also shows a foot pedal 42 for flushing the
toilet. The foot pedal is connected by cables 44 and 46
respectively to the water inlet valve 40 and valve mechanism
36 so that depression of the foot pedal will operate both
the water inlet valve 40 and the valve mechanism 36 to flush
the toilet, as will be more specifically described later.
Reference will now be made to Figs. 2 to 6 in
describing valve mechanism 36 in more detail. Figs. 2 and 4
show the upper housing part 22 in perspective as seen from
below with the valve member 38 respectively in the closed
and open positions. As seen in Fig. 4, an annular sealing
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~surface 48 is visible around outlet 32. In the closed
position of the valve member as shown in Figs. 2 and 5 the
valve member co-operates with this sealing surface to close
the toilet bowl outlet. As best shown in Fig. 5, valve
member 38 takes the form of a plate 50 having a flat upper
surface covered with a layer 52 of rubber that forms a seal
with the sealing surface 48 around bowl outlet 32 when the
valve member is in its closed position.
The valve member is pivotally coupled to the upper
housing part 22 by four pivoted links arranged in pairs at
opposite sides of the valve member. Two of those links are
denoted 54 and 56 in Figs. 2, 4 and 5 and the links at the
other side of the valve member are essentially the same.
Parts of those links are visible at 58 and 60 in Figs. 2 and
4. At their upper ends, the links are pivotally coupled to
bracksts or lugs integrally moulded on the upper housing
part 22. Two of those lugs are visible at 62 and 64 in Fig.
4; similar lugs are provided at the opposite side of the
toilet bowl. At their lower ends, the links are pivotally
coupled to the ends of the limbs of a generally H-shaped
carrier member 66 that supports the valve member 38. This is
achieved by bolts, such as those indicated at 68 and 70 in
Figs. 2 and 4, each of which extends through a plain opening
in the end portion of the relevant link and is bonded into
the carrier member 68 so as to allow the link to turn freely
with respect to the carrier member.
As best seen in Fig. 5, a moulded plastic stem or
boss 72 projects outwardly from the valve plate 50 through a
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slot 74 generally at the centre of the carrier member 66. A
bolt 76 with a washer 78 under its head is bonded into boss
72 so that the carrier member 66 and plate 50 are relatively
loosely coupled together while permitting limited relative
tipping movement therebetween. An "O" ring 80 is provided
around boss 72 between the carrier member 66 and the valve
plate and serves to resiliently limit relative movernent
between the carrier member and the valve plate. This
coupling arrangement allows the valve member to tip slightly
with respect to the carrier member to ensure that the valve
member makes contact with the bowl outlet sealing surface 48
(Fig. 4) around its entire perimeter. As shown in Fig. 6,
boss 72 has flats 72a and is dimensioned to fit, relatively
closely within slot 74 so as to prevent the valve member
turning and thereby maintain correct alingment of the valve
member with the bowl outlet.
Fig. 5 shows the valve member in full lines in its
closed position over the bowl outlet, and in ghost outline
in an open position clear of the bowl outlet. That view also
illustrates the fact that the links by which the valve
member is suspended (such as the links 54 and 56) are of
unequal length. The lengths of those links and their pivot
points are selected to cause the valve member to swing
downwardly away from the sealing surface 48 around the bowl
outlet while moving laterally towards the open position when
the valve member is opened, generally as indicated by the
arrow denoted 82 in Fig. 5.
As best seen in Figs. 2 and 4, a generally
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~U-shaped yoke 84 is pivotally coupled at its ends to the two
valve member suspension links closest to the rear of the
toilet; that is, the link 56 and the corresponding link at
the opposite side of the toilet. The yoke extends forwardly
around but clear of the other two links in a generally
horizontal plane and is provided at its forwardmost end with
a boss or enlargement 86 to which is connected the actuating
cable 46 connected to foot pedal 42 (see Fig. 1). Cable 46
(as well as cable 44) is a conventional Bowden cable compri-
sing an inner wire 88 capable of free longitudinal sliding
movement in an outer casing 90. Outer end portions of casing
90 are externally screw-threaded and each portion is pro-
- vided with a nut, one of which is shown at 92 in Fig. 4. The
portion of casing 90 outwardly of nut 92 extends through a
bracket 94 that is integrally moulded as part of the upper
housing part 22 and disposed externally on the toilet bowl.
At its outer end, the inner wire 88 of cable 46 is provided
with an enlargement 96 that is received in an opening in the
boss 86 on yoke 84.
Fig. 1 shows the route of cable 46 from bracket 94
to the foot pedal while Fig. 11 shows the attachment of both
cable 46 and cable 44 to the foot pedal. Details of the
attachment will be described later. For present purposes, it
i8 sufficient to note that cable 46 is essentially the same
at the foot pedal end and as at the yoke end and includes a
nut 98 on the outer casing 90 and an enlargement 100 on the
inner wire 88. In that case, nut 98 abuts against a portion
of the lower housing part 24 that forms an enclosure for the
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~foot pedal.
It will be appreciated that depression of foot
pedal 42 will cause wire 88 to be drawn through casing 90
pulling yoke 84 towards the front of the toilet. Starting
from the "valve closed" position of Fig. 2 the effect of
this will of course be to cause the valve member 38 to swing
downwardly away from the toilet bowl outlet and forwardly to
the open position in which it appears in Fig. 4.
Fig. 3 shows details of the connection between the
yoke 84 to the valve member suspension link 56 as well as
the pivotal connection of the link itself to its suspension
bracket 64. It will be seen that the yoke is connected to
the arm by a bolt 102 that extends through a clearance
opening in the yoke and is bonded into a screw-threaded
opening in the arm. The opposite end of the yoke is connec-
ted to the corresponding link at the other side in the same
fashion. The pivotal coupling between the upper end of link
56 and the associated bracket 64 is typical of the pivotal
coupling of all four links. As can be seen, the upper end
portion of the link is bifurcated to form two spaced
portions 56a between which bracket 64 is received. A bolt
104 then extends through both bifurcated portions and
through a clearance hole in the bracket and the bolt is
bonded in place. A spiral spring 106 behind the head of bolt
104 has outer end portions that are hooked around bracket 64
and arm 56 and the spring is arranged to bias the link in
the counterclockwise direction as seen in Figs. 2 and 4 so
as to tend to return the valve member 38 to its closed posi-
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~tion. Similar return springs are provided at the pivot
points of the other three suspension links for the valve
member. The return springs are of sufficient strength to
positively return the valve mechanism to the closed position
when foot pedal 42 is released.
As noted previously, the toilet is designed to be
flushed using water from an external supply that is
delivered to the toilet through a water valve 40 (Fig. lj
controlled by foot pedal 42. In the assembled toilet, water
valve 40 is housed within a compartment formed in the upper
housing part 22 of the toilet rearwardly of the bowl 26. In
Fig. 1, the compartment is generally indicated by reference
numeral 108 and has a flat bottom wall 110 forming a
supporting surface for the valve and side walls 112 and 114;
these side walls are extended outwardly to form lugs
providing pivot points for the toilet seat 28 and lid 30.
Thus, the lugs have respective openings 116 and 118 that
receive pivot pins shown in exploded positions 120 and 122
for engagement in corresponding openings in both the seat
and lid. Seat 28 has a rearward extension 124 at its hollow
end dimensioned to fit over the protruding lugs 112 and 114
while lid 30 has a corresponding recess 126 dimensioned to
receive the extension 124 on the seat. The lid also has a
downwardly curved skirt that fits over the seat so that the
seat is substantially closed by the lid when the lid is
closed.
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Fig. 13 shows details of the pivotal connection
between the seat, lid and upper housing part. It will be
seen that the two pivot pins 120, 122 extend outwardly from
the respective lugs 112, 114 and through corresponding
openings, first in the seat extension 124 and then in the
walls of the recess 126 in lid 30. Peripheral ribs 120a and
122a respectively on the pins are located outwardly of the
respective lugs 112, 114 for assuring smooth pivoting of the
lid and seat.
Fig. 12 shows the toilet as seen from the rear
with the seat and lid closed. Reference numeral 128 denotes
a removable cover plate for the water inlet valve 40. Cover
plate 128 is also visible in Fig. 1 and in effect forms a
closure for the compartment 108 in which the water valve is
located. The cover plate is held in place by a screw 130
that is threaded into the valve itself. It will be appreci-
ated that this location for the valve permits ready access
to the valve for maintenance purposes simply by removing
screw 130 and cover plate 128. The valve itself is also
readily removable from the toilet as will be described
later.
Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view showing the
water valve installed in the compartment 108 on the upper
toilet part 22. Valve 40 has a body 132 with a flat base 134
supported on the bottom wall 110 of compartment 108. A water
inlet passageway 136 extends upwardly through body 132 from
base 134 and then forwardly to a valve chamber 138. A
replaceable valve seat 140 is screw threaded into the
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forward end of passageway 136~
The fact that valve seat 140 is replaceable is
important not only because it allows the valve seat to be
changed if it should become damaged, for example due to
debris in the flush water (such as may often occur in rural
environments), but also because valve seats with differently
sized internal passageways can then be used to compensate
for varying water pressure in different locations.
Valve 40 is a diaphragm valve and includes a
10. diaphragm 142 that extends across valve chamber 138 for
movement towards and away from the valve seat 140 to close
and open respectively water inlet passageway 136. At the
opposite side of diaphragm 142 from valve seat 140 is a
generally mushroom-shaped actuating member 144 having a head
146 that bears against the diaphragm, and a stem 148 that
extends outwardly from the head and is a sliding fit in an
opening in a cover plate 150 for the valve body. Diaphragm
142 is trapped between this cover plate and the valve body
and the cover plate is held to the valve body by screws 152
as shown in Fig. 9.
With continued reference to Fig. 8, a water outlet
passageway 154 extends rearwardly of the top of valve
chamber 138 as it appears in that view and then upwardly to
an outlet 156 at the top of an outlet sleeve 158 formed as
part of the valve body. Surrounding sleeve 158 and spaced
outwardly therefrom is a cap 160 that is secured to the
valve body by screws 162 with the interposition of a seal
lÇ4. Cap 160 has a vent opening 166 in its top wall. A main
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~water outlet spigot 168 extends laterally from cap 160 at
the far side of the cap as it is shown in Fig. 8. Fig. 9
shows the valve 40 as seen from the front and spigot 168 can
be seen extending laterally from the cap in that view.
Received for free vertical sliding movement in
sleeve 158 is a check valve 170 which is shown in the open
position in Fig. 8. Valve 170 has a body 172 including four
"fins" 174 disposed generally mutually at right angles (only
three of which are visible) and serving to locate the valve
in sleeve 158. Above the fins, the body includes a headed
spigot 176 that extends through a disc-shaped seal 178.
When valve 40 is open as shown in Fig. 8,
diaphragm 142 is pressed back clear of the valve seat 140 by
the pressure of the water entering through passageway 136
and into the valve chamber. The water then flows upwardly
into passageway 140 and lifts the check valve 170 to the
position in which it is shown. Seal 178 is lifted from
outlet 156 and pressed against the top inside surface of cap
160, sealing opening 166. As can be seen, the spigot 176
moves into opening 166 at this time. When diaphragm 142 is
moved into contact with valve seat 140 by the actuating
member 144 water can no longer flow through valve chamber
138 and the check valve 170 will drop under gravity and
close the outlet 156 in sleeve 158. Excess water will tend
to flow out through the outlet spigot 168 to permit the
check valve to close fully. In this position, the check
valves acts to back flow of water that might otherwise
contaminate the supply, for example in the event of a
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~malfunction or blockage of the toilet.
Check valve 170 also acts as a vacuum brea~er in
that movement of the valve to its closed position permits
air to enter through opening 166 in the cap 160 on the valve
body to permit complete drainage of water from areas down-
stream of the check valve (see later).
Actuation of diaphragm 142 under the control of
valve member 144 is effected by a cam 180 carried by an
operating lever 182 pivotally coupled to the valve body by a
pivot screw 184. The shape of lever 182 is best seen in Fig.
9, in which the lever is shown in full lines in the "valve
closed" position and in ghost outline in the "valve open"
position. Thus, the ghost outline position of Fig. 9
corresponds to the full line position of Fig. 8. Fig. 10
illustrates how the cam 180 carried by lever 182 presses the
valve actuating member 144 forwardly by acting on its stem
148 to press the diaphragm 142 into contact with the valve
seat member 140.
A return spring 186 on the pivot screw 184 for
lever 182 normally maintains lever 182 in the full line
"valve closed" position of Fig~ 9. A keeper 188 located on
one of the screws 152 that hold the cover plate 150 to the
valve body 132 captures an outer end portion 182a of lever
182 in the valve closed position to guard against any
possible flexing of the lever that might permit partial
opening of the valve.
As discussed previously, the water inlet valve 40
i5 cable actuated from the foot pedal 42 of the toilet. The
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actuating cable is denoted 44 in Fig. 1 and is a Bowden
cable essentially the same as cable 46. ~eferring to Fig. 1,
the outer casing of casing of cable 44 extends upwardly from
the foot pedal to a moulded plastic bracket 190 in the upper
part of the toilet housing where the relevant end of the
casing is retained in essentially the same way as the outer
casing of cable 46 as discussed previously in connection
with Figs. 2 and 4. The inner wire 192 of cable 44 extends
through bracket 190 and has at its outer end a generally
cylindrical fitment 194 again similar to the fitment 96 at
the upper end of cable 46. This fitment is received in a
cylindrical sleeve 196 at the outer end of the valve
operating lever 182. Thus, when the foot pedal 42 is
depressed, causing the inner wire 192 of cable 44 to be
drawn downwardly, the valve operating lever will be pivoted
in the counterclockwise direction as seen in Figs. 1 and 9,
moving cam 180 clear of the stem 146 of the valve diaphragm
actuating member 144 so that water pressure in the water
valve inlet passageway 136 (Fig. 8) will force the diaphragm
142 away from the valve seat 140 and allow water to flow
through the valve. When the foot pedal is released, return
spring 186 will bring the operating lever 182 back to the
"valve closed" position in which it appears in Fig. 9.
At the foot pedal end (Fig. 11), the inner wire
192 of cable 44 is connected to the foot pedal itself while
its outer casing is retained on a part of the foot pedal
housing, generally as described above for cable 46. The foot
pedal itself comprises a lever 200 pivotally coupled at an
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inner end inside the lower housing part 24 to a fixed
bracket 202 by way of a pivot pin 204. The lever extends
through an opening 206 in housing part 24 and has a
bifurcated outer end portion to which a tread pad 208 is
coupled by a pivot pin 210. A coil spring 212 on the lever
pivot pin 204 biasses the lever upwardly at its outer end SG
that the normal rest position of the foot pedal is with
tread pad 208 raised.
A housing 214 for the foot pedal is integrally
moulded into the lower housing part 24 inwardly of the pedal
lever opening 206. The lever mounting bracket 202 is carried
by a separate base plate 216 that is assembled to the
housing part 24 by a series of screws, one of which is shown
at 217, received in corresponding bosses moulded into the
lS outer wall of the housing part 24. Thus, the foot pedal
mechanism is entirely isolated from the waste-receiving
space within the lower housing part 24.
As noted previously, the fitments 100 and 198 at
the lower ends of the two cables 46 and 44 respectively are
received in openings in the foot pedal lever. In Fig. 11,
these openings are denoted respectively 218 and 220 and have
associated angled access slots 222 and 224 for accommodating
the inner wires of the respective cables when the end
fitments 100 and 198 are being inserted into or removed from
their respective openings. It will also be noted that cable
fitment 198 is a snug fit within its opening 220 while the
corresponding opening 218 for fitment 100 is vertically
elongated somewhat to allow for a limited degree of free
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vertical movement of the foot pedal with respect to the
fitment. As a result, when foot pedal 42 is depressed from
its normal raised rest position, cable 44 will be immedi-
ately actuated initially without actuating cable 46. This
means that the water inlet valve will open before the toilet
bowl outlet is opened so that flush water will be delivered
to the toilet bowl. Continued downward movement of the foot
pedal will then bring along the inner wire of cable 46 after
its fitment 100 has reached the top of opening 218. The
toilet bowl outlet will then be open to allow the contents
of the bowl to leave. When the foot pedal is subsequently
released the bowl outlet valve 36 will close first as the
foot pedal approaches its raised rest position but the water
inlet valve 40 will remain open slightly longer for provi-
ding a final bowl rinse. In addition, the flush system ofthe toilet is designed to provide for refilling of the bowl
with a residual amount of flush water as will shortly be
described.
An important practical feature of the foot pedal
42 is that it is designed to "bottom out" on the floor
surface on which the toilet is installed. In other words,
the floor acts as a stop ior preventing further depression
of the foot pedal beyond the position in which both the
water inlet valve 40 and the toilet bowl valve mechanism 36
are fully open. This prevents possible overstraining of the
components actuated by the foot pedal such as might occur if
the foot pedal could be depressed beyond the "fully on"
positions of the water inlet valve and toilet bowl closure
valve member.
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Referring back to Fig. 1, it will be recalled that
the water valve outlet spigot 168 delivers flush water when
valve 40 is open. That spigot is connected to a flush water
dispensing nozzle 226 located at the rim of the toilet bowl,
by a relatively large diameter tube 228 that forms a reser-
voir for a volume of flush water sufficient to provide the
required bowl refill. Tube 228 is pushed on to spigot 168 at
the water valve end and then e~tends around a substantial
portion of the perimeter of the bowl within the upper toilet
housing part 22, to nozzle 226. Tube 228 is moulded in a
suitable plastic material to the shape shown and has a
rounded rectangular cross-section and an end portion that
tapers down to a relatively narrow outer end part 228a and
frictionally fits over an inlet spigot on nozzle 226. The
volume of water used to refill the bowl is selected by
moulding tube 228 in an appropriate size.
Fig. 7 is an enlarged view of the nozzle area
indicated by the circle denoted A in Fig. 1. It will be seen
that the nozzle itself is generally wedge shaped with a
cylindrical spigot 230 fitted within the outer end portion
228 of the reservoir pipe. Nozzle 226 has a main flush water
opening 232 at its narrow end that it directed generally
laterally onto a ledge 234 forming the upper rim of the
toilet bowl. By directing the water in this way, a swirling
motion is achieved within the bowl for good bowl rinsing.
Nozzle 226 also has a secondary water outlet 236
in its bottom face through which a minor portion of flushing
liquid is directed into a further pipe 238 for rinsing of
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- 24 -
the bowl outlet valve member when in its open position. Pipe-
238 also acts as a bowl overflow should the bowl outlet
become blocked.
Pipe 238 is shown in Fig. 1. The pipe is moulded
in a plastic material to incorporate a trap 240 just below
nozzle 226. The pipe is then shaped to extend downwardly
alongside the bowl and then curve laterally inwardly and
finally laterally rearwardly to a position just in advance
of the open position of the valve member 38, as best seen in
Figs. 2 and 4. It can be seen particularly that the pipe 38
has a relatively flat cross-sectional shape. This shape has
been adopted in order to permit the pipe to be accommodated
within the relatively confined space available. A suitable
clip (not shown) may be moulded onto the exterior of the
toilet bowl to retain the outer ends of the pipe. As best
seen in Fig. 4 the outlet end of the pipe is positioned to
deliver a minor portion of the flush liquid over the exposed
top face of the valve member 38 for flushing that face.
Referring back to Fig. 1, when the water inlet
valve 40 is opened to flush the toilet, water will be
delivered from the outlet spigot 168 through tube 228 to
nozzle 226. Most of the flushing water will flow through the
outlet 232 of the nozzle but a minor portion will be
delivered downwardly through pipe 238 to flush the valve
member 38 (which will be in its open position at this time).
At the instant when the water inlet valve 40 closes the tube
228 supplying flush nozzle 226 will be full of water.
Referring back to Fig. 8, the check valve 170 will at this
R
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time fall under gravity to its closed position, so that air
can enter through opening 166. Opening 166 communicates with
the outlet spigot 168 and hence with tube 228 by way of the
interior space within cap 160 so that entry of air through
opening 166 will allow the water within tube 228 to drain
through nozzle 226 for refilling the bowl with a residual
amount of water (valve member 38 will of course be closed at
this time). A minor portion of the residual water within
tube 228 will be lost through the valve member rinse pipe
238 but this will be neglible.
Referring again to Fig. 8, a further feature of
the water inlet valve 40 is that it is not only easily
accessible at the rear of the toilet for in situ maintenance
as discussed previously but also that it can be readily
removed from the toilet (e.g. for replacement or extensive
maintenance) without removing the toilet from its installed
position and using few tools. This is achieved by securing
the valve body in position within compartment 108 by means
of a tubular water supply coupling member 242 that in effect
clamps the valve body to its support surface 110.
Coupling member 242 has an externally screw-
threaded upper portion 244 that is received in a correspon-
dingIy internally screw-threaded portion of the water inlet
passageway 136, and an externally screw-threaded lower
portion 246 for connection to an external water supply pipe.
A series of flats 248 are provided above the threaded
portion 246 for permitting turning of the coupling member by
a wrench~
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- 26 ~
Referring back to Fig. 1, an opening through the
bottom wall 110 of compartment 108 for receiving the
coupling member 242 is shown at 250 and is aligned with a
similar opening 252 in the lower housing part 24. Opening
252 extends through the top wall 254 of a recess that
extends vertically over the entire height of housing part
24. Referring to Fig. 8, a sleeve 256 (also visible in Figs~
2 and 4) extends downwardly from wall 110 and is arranged to
seat on the top wall 254 of the recess in the lower housing
part 24 when the two housing parts are installed together.
Coupling member 242, when installed, extends downwardly from
the valve body 132 through opening 250, sleeve 256 and
opening 252. Seals 258 and 260 ~also shown in Fig. 1) are
provided in the openings 250 and 252 respectively. An
external rib 262 on coupling member 242 bears against the
underside of wall 254 and effectively clamps the valve body
against wall 254 with the interposition of sleeve 256 and
wall 110. Since the lower portion of the coupling member 242
is accessible within the recess in the lower housing part
the valve body can simply be released by reaching into that
recess and unscrewing the coupling member, if necessary with
the help of a wrench. The valve will then effectively be
free to be removed after disconnecting tube 228 from the
valve outlet spigot 168 and cable 44. Conversely, the valve
can be readily installed in reverse fashion.
- Fig. 8 also illustrates the cross-sectional shape
of the joint between the upper and lower housing parts 22,
24 of the toilet. These parts will be permanently secured
, .. ....
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- 27 -
together using an appropriate adhesive.
Installation of ~he toilet to the floor flange of
a conventional sewage disposal system is accomplished in
essentially conventional fashion. Fig. 14 shows the lower
portion of the housing part 24 of the toilet so installed.
The floor itself is denoted by reference numeral 264 and the
floor flange of the sewage disposal system is shown in ghost
outline at 266 extending upwardly through an opening in the
floor in conventional fashion. The lower housing part of the
toilet is designed to fit over the floor flange 266 with the
interposition of a conventional wax or rubber gasket 268 and
to permit the toilet to be bolted to the floor flange by
bolts 270, 272 at opposite sides, again in conventional
fashion. Recesses 274, 276 are moulded into each side of the
lower housing part to provide access to these bolts; the
recesses are also shown in Fig. 1 and one of the recesses
appears in Fig. 12.
In summary, the toilet provided by the invention
offers numerous advantageous features. The valve member for
sealing the toilet bowl outlet executes what might be termed
a "swing drop" motion in moving between its closed and open
positions which avoids damage to the seal between the valve
member and the outlet while at the same time achieving
efficient sealing in the closed position of the valve
member. Cable actuation of the valve member and flush water
valve avoid linkages that can wear and corrode and at the
same time allows flexible connection between the foot pedal
and those parts. The bowl outlet valve and flush valve are
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- 28
~foot pedal actuated and are automatically returned to their
closed positions by return springs when the foot pedal is
released. The foot pedal itself is designed to "bottom out"
on a floor surface, avoiding stress in the components of the
toilet. This represents a significant advantage as compared
with prior art foot pedal actuated toilets in which the
depressed position of the foot pedal is generally defined by
the resistance of the components to which the foot pedal is
coupled. This brings with it the risk of overstraining of
those components if excessive pressure is applied to the
foot pedal.
The flush system offers the advantage of efficient
rinse down and bowl refill while the water inlet valve
itself is readily replaceable using a minimum of tools
without removal of the toilet. The valve is designed to be
taken apart easily for replacement of components and has a
replaceable valve seat. This contrasts with prior art
arrangements in which servicing of the water valve requires
removal of the toilet. Not only is this inconvenient but it
leads to damage of the seal between the waste outlet of the
toilet and the sewage system inlet and means that the seal
must be replaced.
It will of course be appreciated that the
preceding description relates to a particular preferred
embodiment of the invention and that many modifications are
possible within the broad scope of the claims. For example,
various features of the toilet could be used individually
without other features. The swing drop valve could be
.
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actuated other than as described for example by a hand
operated flush mechanism. Cable actuation need not be used.
Conversely, the foot pedal and cable actuation arrangement
of the invention could be used with another type of valve.
The water valve and bowl refill systems could be used in
other forms of toilet.
It should also be noted that, while the preferred
embodiment described above relates to a permanently
installed flush toilet designed to be coupled to an external
water supply~ some features could be used in a portable
toilet. Primarily, this would apply to the foot pedal and
cable ac~uation feature.
B
