Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates in general to systems
for the conservation of water by building occupants, and
more particularly to an arrangement for the conservation
of water by building occupants reusing gray water.
During the periods of water shortage, it becomes
necessary for occupants of buildings to conserve water by
reusing gray water. Various systems have been designed
for this purpose. However, such systems require elaborate ~`
and expensive plumbing installations.
In the U.S. patent to McCormick, No. 4,162,218, issued
on July 24, 1979, for Water Reuse System, there is
disclosed a gray water holding tank in which gray water is
supplied from tubs, showers and bathroom sinks. Gray
water is transferred, upon demand, from the gray water
holding tank to a toilet tank for reuse.
The U.S. patent to Aleman, No. 4,030,144, issued on
June 21, 1977, for Apparatus And Arrangement For
Conserving Water For Toilet Flushing, discloses apparatus ~-;
20 for conserving water in which water that has been used for -
washing in a wash basin is drained therefrom. The drained ~ `
water is discharged into the tank of a flush toilet.
The U.S. patent to Toms, No. 4,197,597, issued on
April 15, 1980, for Water Recycling With Solids And Foam
25 Removal, discloses a system in which gray water from -~ ;
lavatory sinks and showers and also rain water is
conducted to a storage rleservoir. The water accumulating
in the storage reservoir is used for the operation of ~;
water closets of toilets.
In the U.S. patent to Call, No. 3,112,497, issued on
December 3, 1963, for Water Conservation System, there is
disclosed a system for conducting gray water from a
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bathtub and shower into a small receiver tank. From the
small receiver tank, the gray water is redistributed to a -~
large receiver tank. The gray water stored in the large
receiver tank is supplied to the flush tank of a toilet to
be reused for flushing the toilet.
In the U.S. patent to Reid, No. 3,594,825, issued on
July 27, 1971, for Water Circulation System, there is
disclosed a water circulation system for a camping trailer
or boat. The trailer or boat includes a water flush
toilet. Drain water from the wash basin or shower is
directed to the inlet of the toilet tank. When the shower
and wash basin are used, water flows through a drain
outlet and drain conduit into a collecting tank below the
shower.
The U.S. patent to O'Brien et al., No. 3,183,525,
issued on May 18, 1965, for Method And Means For Operating
A Toilet In A Fallout Shelter, discloses an arrangement in -~
which water from a shower and a wash basin is drained into
a waste water container. The waste water stored in the
water waste container is received by a toilet tank for
flushing the toilet bowl.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
25~ An ob~ect of the present invention is to provide an
arrangement for the conservation of water by reusing gray
water drained from batht,ubs, shower stalls, wash basins
and the like to flush toilet bowls or the like without
requiring elaborate and expensive plumbing installations.
~;; . ~ . ,
Another object of the present invention is to
construat bathtubs, shower stalls, wash basins or the like ~ -
;with integrally formed gray water storage receptacles or - ;
20~2~ :
compartments for the refilling of toilet tanks used in the
flushing of toilet bowls. -
A feature of the present invention is to provide a
bathtub with an integrally formed false bottom in which
gray water is collected for reusing gray water to flush a
toilet bowl. ~
Another feature of the present invention is to provide i
an integrally formed shower stall with a false bottom in
which gray water is collected for reusing gray water to
lO flush a toilet bowl. `
An arrangement for reusing gray water in which a
bathtub, shower stall, wash basin or the like is
constructed with an integrally formed false bottom to
collect gray water. The gray water collected in the false
bottoms is conducted to a toilet tank for flushing a
toilet bowl.
Another object of the present invention is to install ~`~
a bathtub in a building with an integrally formed false
bottom, or a shower stall in a building with an integrally
formed false bottom, or a wash basin in a building with an
~- integrally formed false bottom, and through a simple and
direct conduit arrangement conduct the gray water
collected in one or more false bottoms to the toilet flush
tank or toilet closet for flushing a toilet bowl. ;
- 25 Another object of the present invention is to provide
a self-contained toilet bowl with a flush tank capable of
using gray water, which flush tank is disposed adjacent to
and laterally from the toilet bowl and below the top wall
of the toilet bowl.
Another object of the present invention is to provide
a gray water system in which the bathtub has a false
bottom gray water storage receptacle, the shower stall has
a false bottom gray water storage receptacle, and the
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toilet bowl is a self-contained unit with a flush tank for
gray water adjacent to and below the top of the toilet
bowl. Each of the aforesaid units are self-contained in
that they may be employed respectively or in combination
with one or more of the aforesaid units.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a fragmentary diagrammatic illustration of
an arrangement for reusing gray water embodying the
present invention.
Figure 2 is a diagrammatic illustration of an ,~
arrangement for reusing gray water including rain water
embodying the present invention, which is a modification
of the arrangement for reusing gray water shown in Figure
Figure 3 is a fragmentary diagrammatic illustration of '~
a modified arrangement for reusing gray water in which the
toilet flush tank is disposed adjacent to and laterally
,' 20 from the toilet bowl.
Figure 4 is a fragmentary diagrammatic illustration of -
,c,,',~ a stlll further modification of an arrangement for reusing
gray water in which a gray water storage tank is disposed ;~
below the toilet bowl.
~Figure 5 is a diagrammatic front elevation view of a
foot pedal assembly used in connection with the ''~
arrangement sho,wnj ! inl,Fig,ure~3.
Figurè 6 is a diagrammatic side elevational view of
the foot pedal assembly shown in Figure 6.
3~ ~ Figure 7 is a dlagrammatic front elevational view of a ~;
flush handle assembly used in connection with'the ~-~
arrangement shown~in Figure 4.
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2 ~
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Illustrated in Figure 1 is an arrangement 10 for
reusing gray water embodying the present invention. The
term "gray water" as herein employed means water that has
been used for showering, bathing, and/or washing in a wash
basin or the like. The term "gray water" as herein ;
employed may also mean rain water collected from gutters,
downspouts or the like. ~-~
The arrangement 10 comprises a shower stall 15, which
includes a conventional shower stall section 15a. Below
the conventional shower stall section 15a is a false
bottom 15b which serves as a collecting compartment or
receptacle for gray water draining out of the conventional
shower stall section lSa. In the preferred embodiment,
the false bottom collecting compartment 15b is integrally
formed with the conventional shower stall section 15a. It
is contemplated that the shower stall 15 may be
prefabricated. In a bottom wall 15c of the conventional
shower stall section 15a is a conventional drain 16 for
discharging gray water from the conventional shower stall
section 15a into the false bottom collecting compartment
15b. A building floor F is disposed generally at even
height with the bottom wall 15c to conceal the false
~; bottom collecting compartment 15b from view by the user of
25 the shower stall 15. -
It is contemplated that the shower stall 15 may be
made from suitable metals, polyvinyl chloride or suitable
plastics.
At the bottom of the false bottom collecting-~ 30 compartment 15b is an outlet opening 17 through which gray
water flows from the false bottom collecting compartment
15b to a toilet flush tank or water closet 20 via a
conduit 21 and a conduit 22. A conventional water level shut-
off mechanism 23 with a float 23a and a shut-off valve 23b is
also disposed within the flush tank 20. A flush tank 20 may be
.
2 ~ 2 ~
disposed at various convenient locations. For example, in
Figure 3, the flush tank is disposed adjacent the toilet
bowl at a level below the conventional location of
well-known toilet flush tanks. Disposed along the conduit
21 is a one-way check valve 25, which serves to enable
gray water to flow toward the toilet flush tank 20, but
prevents gray water from backing-up into the false bottom
collecting compartment 15b.
Also disposed along the conduit 21 in the vicinity of
the outlet opening 17 is a shut-off valve 26. The
shut-off valve 26, when closed, interrupts the flow of
gray water from the false bottom collecting compartment ~ ~
15b through the conduit 21. Conversely, when the shut-off .
valve 26 is opened, gray water from the false bottom ~;
collecting compartment 15b can flow from the false bottom
collecting compartment 15b through the conduit 21.
Communicating with the conduit 21 and the flush tank
~;~ 20 is a suitable self-priming automatic marine/RV potable
water supply pump 30, which serves, when operated, to pump
20 gray water under pressure from the false bottom collecting ~-
compartment 15b to the toilet flush tank 20 over the
following path: conduit 21, opened shut-off valve 26, ~-
check valve 25 and conduit 22. The operation of the pump ~ ;
30 is controlled by water pressure or the pressure head of
~`~ 25 the water in the conduit 22. When the water in the flush
tank 20 is below a predetermined level, such as a pressure ~ ~ ~
head of 20 p.s.i.j~in; the conduit 22, the pump 30 operatesj ~ -
to pump the gray water from the collecting compartment 15b
into the flush tank 20. When the water in the flush tank
20 is above a predetermined level, such as a pressure head
of 30 p.s.i. in the conduit 22, operation of the pump 30
is interrupted. The gray water in the flush tank 20 is
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used to flush a conventional toilet bowl 40 under the
control of a conventional manually operated flush
mechanism 20a. In the exemplary embodiment, the pump 30
is a well-known, self-prime, automatic marine/RV potable
5 water supply pump manufactured by Flojet as Model No. ~ `
2P366. When the water pressure in the conduit 22 drops to
20 p.s.i., a built-in pressure switch automatically turns ;~
the pump on and when the water pressure in the conduit 22
reaches 30 p.s.i., the built-in pressure switch
automatically interrupts the operation of the pump 30.
In the event the water level of the gray water in the
false bottom collecting compartment 15b is above a
predetermined level, the excess gray water is discharged
into a sewer drain pipe 41 through a conduit 42. Should s~
it be desired to discharge the gray water in the false
bottom collecting compartment 15b directly into the sewer -
drain pipe 41, a suitable drain 43 and drain valve 44 are
provided. The drain valve 44 communicates with the sewer
" drain pipe 41 through an elbow conduit 45. The drain 43,
the drain valve 44 and the elbow 4S provide a convenient
clean-out arrangement for cleaning the compartment 15b.
The arrangement 10 comprises a bathtub 50, which
includes a conventional bathtub section 50a. Integrally
formed with the bathtub section 50a as part of the bathtub
; 25 50 is a~false bottom 50b, which serves as a collecting
compartment or receptacle for the gray water draining out ~-
of the,,conventional bathtub section 50a. In the preferred
embodiment, the false bottom collecting compartment 50b is
a unitary structure with the conventional bathtub section
50a~disposed therebelow and contiguous therewith. At the
bottom wall 50c of the conventional bathtub section 50a is
a conventional drain 51 for discharging, when opened, gray
water;from the conventional bathtub section 50a into the
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false bottom collecting compartment 50b. In the preferred
embodiment, the building floor F is disposed generally at ~ ;
even height with the bottom wall 50c to conceal the false
bottom collecting compartment 50b from view by the user of
the bathtub 50.
It is contemplated that the bathtub 50 may be made of
porcelain, polyvinyl chloride, suitable plastic or
suitable metals.
At the bottom of the false bottom collecting
compartment 50b is an outlet opening 52 through which gray
water flows from the false bottom collecting compartment
50b to the flush toilet tank 20 via a conduit 53, the pump
30 and the conduit 22. The conduit 22 serves as common
conduit for the flow of gray water from the bathtub
15 collecting compartment 50b and the shower stall collecting ~ ~
compartment 15b. Disposed along the conduit 53 is a ~ -
one-way check valve 55, which serves to enable gray water
to flow toward the toilet flush tank 20, but prevents gray
water from backing-up into the false bottom collecting
compartment 50b.
Also disposed along the conduit 53 in the vicinity of
the outlet opening 52 is a shut-off valve 56. The
shut-off valve 56, when closed, interrupts the flow of
gray water from the false bottom collecting compartment
~;~ 25 SOb into the conduit 53. Conversely, when the shut-off
valve 56 is opened, gray water from the false bottom
collectin~ compartment 5pb qan flow from the false bottom
collecting compartment 50b through the pump 30 and the
;~ conduit 53.
The pump 30 serves, when operated, to pump gray water
under pressure from the false bottom collecting
compartment 50b to the toilet flush tank 20 over the
~ following path: conduit 53, opened shut-off valve 56,
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check valve 55, pump 30 and conduit 22. The operation of ~ ~;
the pump 30 is controlled by water pressure or the
pressure head of the water in the conduit 22.
When the water in the flush tank 20 is below a
predetermined level, such as a pressure head of 20 p.s.i.
in the conduit 22, the pump 30 is operated to pump gray
water from the collecting compartment 50b into the flush
tank 20. When the water in the flush tank 20 is above a
predetermined level, such as a pressure head of 30 p.s.i.
in the conduit 22, the operation of the pump 30 is
interrupted. The gray water in the flush tank 20 is used
to flush the toilet bowl 40 under the control of the flush
mechanism 20a.
In the event the water level of the gray water in the ;
false bottom collecting compartment 50b is above a
predetermined level, the excess gray water is discharged --
into a sewer drain pipe 61 through a conduit 62. Should~ ~
~ .
it be desired to discharge the gray water in the false
bottom collecting compartment 50b directly into the sewer
drain pipe 61, a suitable drain 63 and a drain valve 64
are provided. The drain valve 64 communicates with the
sewer drain pipe 61 through an elbow conduit 65. The
drain 63, the drain valve 64 and the elbow 65 provide a
convenient arrangement for cleaning the compartment 50b.
Disposed along the conduit 22 is a suitable shut-off
~- valve 66 and a suitable shut-off valve 67. When the
shut-off valve 66j,isl opened and the shut-ofF valve 67 is
closed, gray water flows through the conduit 22 into the
toilet flush tank 20. When the shut-off valve 66 is
closed, gray water does not enter the toilet flush tank 20
,,` ~
and~the fresh water supply from a water district is used
to fill the flush tank 20. In the preferred embodiment,
, ~
~ the gray water supply and the fresh water supply are not
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used simultaneously, but, rather, are used separately.
When the fresh water supply from a water district is used ~ ;
to fill the flush tank 20, the shut-off valve 66 is closed
and the valve 67 is opened. Conversely, when the gray
5 water supply is used to fill the flush tank 20, the ~:~
shut-off valve 66 is opened and the shut-off valve 67 for
the fresh water supply to the flush tank 20 is closed. A ~ ~ `
removable cover 60 is employed to enable the collecting
tank 50 to be cleaned-out periodically.
It is contemplated by the present invention that
well-known and conventional chemicals for water
cleanliness may be added to the false bottom collecting ~ `
compartments 15b and 50b through the drains 16 and 51,
respectively. It is apparent that wash basins can be made
with an integrally formed false bottom for supplying gray
water for reuse in the flush tank 20 in a manner similar
to that described for the shower stall 15 and the bathtub
50. While the arrangement 10 is described as employing -
both a bathtub collecting compartment 50b and a shower ;~ ~
20 stall collecting compartment 15b, it is apparent that the ~ ~`
use of one without the other or the use of both simultan
eously falls within the purview of the present invention.
Illustrated in Figure 2 is an arrangement 70 for
reusing gray water, which is a modification of the
25 arrangement shown in Figure 1. Components in Figure 2 -~
similar in structure and operation to components shown in
Figure 1 will be illustrlated with the same reference
numeral but with a prime suffix.
~; ~ The arrangement shown in Figure 2 differs from the
arrangement shown in Figure 1 in that rain water received
by a downspout 71 from a gutter 69 advances into the false
bottom collecting compartment 50b' through a conduit 72.
In the preferred embodiment, the downspout 71 is provided
2~2~2~
with suitable wire mesh screens to prevent foreign matter
from entering the false bottom collecting compartment
50b'. A suitable clean-out valve 73, illustrated in
Figure 2 for cleaning out debris, is disposed along the
downspout 71 for cleaning out debris that may clog the
passage of rain water or interfere with the operation of
the component parts. The clean out valve 73 includes a
lower flared female end section 73a that receives a -~
screw-in tubular male section 73b during the collection of
rain water in the collecting compartment 50b'. The male
tubular section 73b is removed from the female end section
73a for cleaning out the gathered debris. A suitable
shut-off valve 71a is disposed in the conduit 72. Should
it be desired to collect rain water through the conduit
72, the shut-off valve 71a is opened. Should it be
15 desired to interrupt the flow of rain water through the -
conduit 72, the shut-off valve 71a is closed.
In a similar manner, rain water received by a
downspout 75 from a gutter 74 advances into the false
bottom collecting compartment 15b' through a conduit 76.
The downspout 75 is provided with suitable wire mesh
screens to prevent foreign matter from entering the false
bottom collecting compartment 15b'. A suitable clean-out
valve 77, illustrated in Figure 2 for cleaning out debris,
is disposed along the downspout 75 for cleaning out debris
~that may clog the passage of rain water or interfere with
the operation of component parts. The clean out valve 77
includes a lower flared female end section 77a that
~` receives a screw-in tubular male section 73b during the
collection of rain water in the collecting compartment
15b'. The male tubular section 77b is removed from the
female end section 77a for cleaning out the gathered ;
debris. In the preferred embodiment, the conduit 76, as
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2 ~
well as the conduit 72, is disposed at an angle and is
directed upwardly and outwardly so that debris will ,-
collect at a location accessible to the associated
clean-out valve, such as the clean-out valve 77. A
suitable shut-off valve 75a is disposed in the conduit
76. Should it be desired to collect rain water through ,'~
the conduit 76, the shut-off valve 75a is opened. Should
it be desired to interrupt the flow of rain water through
the conduit 77, the shut-off valve 75a is closed. ~- '
Illustrated in Figure 3 is an arrangement 90 for
reusing gray water, which is a further modification of the ~
arrangement shown in Figure 1. Components in Figure 3 '~ -
similar in structure and operation to components shown in
Figure 1 will be illustrated with the same reference ~ '
numeral but with a double prime suffix.
The arrangement shown in Figure 3 differs from the
arrangement shown in Figure 1 in that a toilet flush tank
91 is disposed contiguous to and laterally outward from a
toilet bowl 40". In the exemplary embodiment, the top of
the flush tank 91 is generally at even height with the top
of the toilet bowl 40" and extends below the toilet bowl
40". The toilet flush tank 91 is both a storage and flush
tank combination for the collection of gray water
,~ including rain water.
A conduit 92 interconnects the bathtub collecting
compartment 50b" with the flush tank 91 so that gray water
in the,bathtub col,lecting compartment 50b" discharges into
the flush tank 91. In a similar manner, a conduit 93
interconnects the shower stall collecting compartment 15b"
with the flush tank 91 so that gray water in the shower
stall collecting compartment 15b" discharges into the
flush tank 91. ~', ,
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Disposed generally within the flush tank 91 is a foot
pedal assembly 95. The foot pedal assembly 95 will be
described hereinafter in greater detail with reference to
Figures 5 and 6. A foot actuated pedal 95a of the foot
pedal assembly 95 projects exteriorly of the flush tank
91. When the water level in the flush tank 91 is above
the intake opening of the foot pedal assembly 95, an
operator actuating the foot actuated pedal 95a will cause
gray water in the flush tank 91 to enter the toilet bowl
40" through a conduit 96 to flush the toilet bowl 40".
In the exemplary embodiment, the flush tank 91
includes an auxiliary section 99 with a removable cover
99a for cleaning the flush tank 91. In the auxiliary
section 99 is a suitable water gauge 99b to indicate the
level of the gray water in the flush tank 91. Such water
gauges may be of the type manufactured and sold as the ~;
TEMPO mechanical fuel gauge using a cork and Model TRM-1
direct sight reading capsule. Another suitable gauge is
the T~LEFLEX XL gauge, Model No. 274993, fuel level gauge.
Communicating with the toilet bowl 40" is a well-known ~
sewage drain pipe DP. An overflow drain pipe 93 is ~-
located within the flush tank 91 and communicates with the
drain pipe DP to conduct overflow gray water in the flush
tank 91 into the drain pipe DP through an elbow 94.
Rain water collecting in a gutter is conducted through
a downspout 95 to the flush tank 91 via a conduit 96. An
on-off valve 95a is dis~osed in the conduit 96. Should it
be desired to collect rain water through the conduit 96,
the shut-off valve 95a is opened. Should it be desired to -~
interrupt the flow of rain water through the conduit 96,
. .
the shut-off valve 95a is closed. The rain water in the
flush tank 91 is used to flush the toilet bowl 40" in a
manner heretofore described for flushing the toilet
,:,
~: :
bowl 40" with gray water by means of the foot pedal
assembly 95.
It is apparent that the various gray water collecting
compartments, such as the compartment 15b" and 5Ob", can
be used separately or in combination.
Likewise, the concept of the arrangement of the flush
tank 91 and the toilet bowl 40" lends itself for use
separately or in combination with the units embodied in
the arrangement 90. The discharge of gray water, which
may include rain water, from the flush tank 91 into the
toilet bowl 40" for flushing the same will be described in
detail in connection with the foot pedal assembly 95 shown
in Figures 5 and 6. Should it be desired to use fresh
water supplied by a water district, then a suitable
conduit and shut-off valve can be connected to the flush
tank 91 as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 4.
Illustrated in Figure 4 is an arrangement 110 for
reusing gray water, which is a further modification of the
arrangement 10 shown in Figure 1. Components in Figure 4
similar in structure and operation to components shown in
Figure 1 will be illustrated with the same reference
number but with a suffix having triple primes.
The arrangement shown in Figure 4 differs from the
arrangement shown in Figure 1 in that an integrally formed
storage tank 111 is used in addition to the toilet flush
tank 20"'. The storage tank 111 is disposed below the
toilet bowl 40"' and bel,ow the floor F"'. A conduit 113
interconnects the bathtub collecting compartment 50b"'
with the storage tank 111 so that gray water in the ;~
bathtub collecting compartment 50b"' discharges into the
storage tank 111. In a similar manner, a conduit 114
interconnects the shower stall collecting compartment ;~
15b"' with the storage tank 111 so that gray water in the
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-16-
shower stall collecting compartment 15b"' discharges into
the storage tank 111.
A downspout and conduit, similar to the arrangement
shown in Figure 3, can be employed to supply rain water
into the storage tank 111.
Disposed within the storage tank 111 is a well-known
pump 115, which pumps gray water from the storage tank 111
into the flush tank 20"'. When the pump 115 is operated,
the gray water in the storage tank 111 discharges into the
flush tank 20"' through a conduit 116. In the exemplary
embodiment, the pump 115 is a well-known self-primed,
automatic marine/RV potable pump manufactured by Flojet,
Model No. 2P366.
When the water in the flush tank 20"' is below a
predetermined level, such as a pressure head of 20 p.s.i.
in the conduit 116, a built-in pressure switch
automatically turns on to pump water from the storage tank
111 into the flush tank 20"'. When the water in the ; ;
storage tank 111 is above a predetermined level, such as a
pressure head of 30 p.s.i. in the conduit 116, the
built-in pressure switch automatically turns off the pump
115 to interrupt the flow of gray water from the storage
tank 111. A suitable level float gauge 117 is disposed in
~;~ the top wall of the flush tank 20"'. Such gauges may be
of the type manufactured and sold as the TEMPO mechanical
fuel gauge using a cork and model TRM-l direct sight
reading capsule. Ano~ther suitable gauge is the TELEFLEX
XL gauge, Model No. 274993, fuel level gauge. A suitable ~ ;
overflow drain pipe 112 is connected to a conventional
; 30 sewer drain pipe DP"" through an elbow 112a.
When fresh water supplied from a water district or the
like is used, a suitable shut-off valve 118 is closed to
interrupt the supply of gray water from the storage
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tank 111 to the flush tank 20"' and a shut-off valve 119
is opened to supply fresh water from the water district
into the flush tank 20"'. Conversely, when gray water is
used, the shut-off valve 118 is opened to discharge gray
water into the flush tank 20"' from the storage tank 111
and the shut-off valve 119 is closed to interrupt the
supp y of fresh water into the flush tank 20"' from the
fresh watèr supply.
The water in the flush tank 20"' is used to flush the
toilet bowl 40"' under the control of a flush mechanism
150. Disposed generally within the flush tank 20"' is the
manually operated flush mechanism 150 which may be used in lieu
of the manually operated flush tank mechanism shown in Figure l.
The flush mechanlsm 150 will be described hereinafter in greater
detail with reference to Figure 7. A handle 163 of the flush
mechanism 150 is disposed exteriorly of the flush tank 20"'.
Act.uation of the handle 163 by an operator will cause water in
the flush tank 20"' to enter the toilet bowl 40"' through a
conduit 152 to flush the toilet bowl 40"' in a manner to be :~
descri~ed herein in connection with Figure 7.
~ he collector compartment SOb"' is modified to include
a removable cover 107 to gain access to the gray water
collecting compartment 50b"'. At the bottom wall of the
gray water collecting compartment 50b"' is a suitable ;~
2S drain valve 108 with a handle 108a. For cleaning out the
gray water collecting compartment 50b"', an operator :
temporarily opens the drain valve 108 through the handle
108a to enable the gray wateriand a cleansing liquid to ! ':
discharge into the sewer drain pipe DP"'. In a similar
:~ 30 mann~r, the storage tank 111 includes a removable cover
109 to gain access to the interior of the storage tank
111. A suitable drain valve lO9a is disposed in the :.
bottom wall of the flush tank 111 and communicates with ;-
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the sewer drain pipe DP"' through an elbow lO9b. The
drain valve lO9a has a handle lO9c. For cleaning out the
flush tank 111, an operator temporarily opens the drain
valve lO9a through the handle lO9c to enable the gray
water and a cleansing liquid to discharge into the sewer
drain pipe DP"'.
Illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 is the foot pedal
assembly 95 for the arrangement shown in Figure 3. When
the water level in the flush tank 91 is above the intake
opening of the foot pedal assembly 95, an operator
actuating the foot pedal 95a will cause gray water in the
flush tank 91 to enter the toilet bowl 40" through the
conduit 96 to flush the toilet bowl 40".
Toward this end, the foot pedal assembly 95 comprises
a cylindrical vessel 125 which is disposed within the
flush tank 91 in the vicinity of the bottom wall of the
flush tank 91. The vessel 125 has an open top 125a for
the intake of gray water. The bottom of the vessel 125 is
closed except for an outlet opening 125b, which is in
20 communication with the conduit 96. The conduit 96 ~
conducts gray water into the toilet bowl 40" to flush the ~-
same.
- Disposed within the vessel 125 is an annular valve
seat 126. A valve head 127 is removably disposed on the
valve seat 126. In the exemplary embodiment, the valve
head 127 is made of metallic disc plates with a tapered
rubber layer sandwichedjtherebetween. In the exemplary
embodiment, the valve seat 126 is made of metal. Attached
;~ to the bottom wall of the valve seat 126 is a suitable rod
128, which serves to raise and lower the valve head 127.
Suitable braces 129 support the rod 128 for reciprocal
~ movement within the vessel 125.
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Exteriorally of the flush tank 91 is disposed the foot
pedal 95a actuated for seating and unseating the valve
head 127 relative to the valve seat 126. For this
purpose, the rod 128 projects outside of the flush tank
91. Suitable O-rings 131 provide a seal against gray
water leakage between the bottom wall of the flush tank 91
and the foot pedal assembly 95. The lower end of the rod
128 is attached to the cross member of a yoke 132. The
free ends of the legs of the yoke 132 are attached
respectively to the distal ends of an axle of a roller
135. The roller 135 supports the yoke 132 for vertical
rectilinear movement.
The foot pedal 95a is formed with a lever arm 136 over
which the roller 135 travels. The roller 135 is formed
with a circumferential groove which receives the lever arm
136. The lever arm 136 is supported for pivotal movement
by legs 137 by means of a pivot pin 138. Spaced from the
legs 137 toward the free end of the lever arm 136 is an
H-shaped guide member 140. The upstanding legs of the
guide member 140 guide the lever arm 136 in its vertical
pivotal movement. The cross arm of the guide member 140 ~;
limits or stops the downward movement of travel of the
lever arm 136. Integrally formed with the lever arm 136
is the foot pedal 95a. A compression coil spring 141 is
25~ disposed between the O-ring 131 and the yoke 132. The rod
128 is received by the compression coil spring 141. In
~the operation of theifoot pedal assembly 95, an operator -~
actuates the foot pedal 95a for downward movement. This
action results in the lever arm 136 being elevated. As a ;
3~ consequence thereof, the roller 135 is raised to lift the -~
rod 128. The lifting of the rod 128 unseats the valve
head 1~7 from the valve seat 126. Gray water flows from
the flush tank 91 (Figure 3) into the toilet bowl 40" to
; ~ ~ flush the same.
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When the operator releases the foot pedal 95a, the rod
128 is lowered under the urgency of the spring 141 to seat
the valve head 127 onto the valve seat 126 to interrupt
the flow of gray water from the flush tank 91.
Simultaneously therewith, the roller 135 urges the lever
arm 136 downwardly until it engages the crossarm stop of
the guide member 140. The foot pedal 95a is now raised to
its normal position.
Illustrated in Figure 7 is the manually operated
flushing assembly 150 for the discharge of water from the
flush tank 20"' (Figure 4) into the toilet bowl 40"' for
the flushing of the same. It is intended that the ~;
manually operated assembly 150 may be employed in lieu of
the conventional manually operated assemblies, such as -
manually operated assembly 20a shown in Figure 1, for the
discharge of water from the flush tank into the toilet
bowl for flushing of the same. It is also intended that
the manually operated assembly 150 may be employed in lieu ~;
of foot pedaI assembly 95 shown in Figure 3.
The manually operated assembly 150 comprises a
cylindrical vessel 151 disposed in the vicinity of the
bottom wall of the flush tank 20"'. The axial height of
the cylindrical vessel is relatively small so as to be
~: adaptable to receive water to be discharged into the
toilet bowl 40"' at the lowermost level within the flush
tank 20"'. The bottom of the vessel 151 is closed except
for a discharge opening!at the conduit 152 which
communicates with the toilet bowl 40"' for the discharge
of water therein for flushing the same. The top of the
vessel 151 is ope~ed for the passage of water into the
vessel 151. Thus, water in the flush tank 20"' passes
through the opening at the top of the vessel 151 and is - -
discharged through the outlet opening at the conduit 152
for passage into the toilet bowl 40"'.
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2~2~
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Disposed within the vessel 151 is an annular valve
seat 153, which, in the exemplary embodiment is made of
metal. Removably seated on the valve seat 153 is a valve
head 154. In the preferred embodiment, the valve head 154
is made of metallic disc plates with a tapered rubber
layer sandwiched therebetween. Extending upwardly from
the valve seat 154 is a vertical rod 155. The lower end
of the rod 155 is fixed to the top end of the valve head
154 so as to raise and lower the same over a vertical
rectilinear path.
Vertically spaced braces 156-158 with annular guide
members 156a-158a, respectively, support and guide the rod
155 for rectilinear movement over a vertical path. The
guide rod 155 is received by the annular guide members
156a-158a for rectilinear movement over a vertical path.
The upper end of the rod 155 is connected to the free
end of an arm 160 by means of a chain 161. The proximal
end of the arm 160 is fixed to a pin 162 for rotation
therewith. The pin 162 is supported for rotation by the
adjacent side wall of the flush tank 20"'. Fixed to the
pin 162 is the handle 163, which is located exteriorly of
the flush tank 20"'. Downward movement of the handle 163~ ~-
rotates the pin 162 to impart an upward movement to the
arm 160.
A tension coil spring 165 is disposed below the fixed
annular guide member 157a of the brace 157 and an anchor~ -
annular member 166ifi~xedito the rod 155. The action of
the spring 165 continuously urges the valve head 154 to ~-
seat on the valve seat 153.
In the operation of the manually operated assembly
150, an operator moves the handle 163 downwardly to -
discharge water from the flush tank 20"' into the toilet;~
bowl 40"' (Figure 4). The lowering of the handle 163
: ~
2 ~
-22-
serves to raise the free end of the arm 160. In turn, the
chain 161 is raised to lift the rod 155 upwardly. This
action raises the valve head 154 from the valve seat 153
against the urgency of the spring 165 to discharge water
from the flush tank 20"' into the toilet bowl 40"'.
The release of the handle 163 by the operator enables
the spring 165 to urge the rod 155 downwardly. As a
consequence thereof, the valve head 154 seats on the valve
seat 153 to interrupt the flow of water from the flush
tank 20"' into the toilet bowl 40"'. The lowering of the
rod 155 also causes the chain 161 to lower the free end of
the arm 160, which, in turn, raises the handle 163 to its
initial position.
In times of water shortages, the operator can control
manually or by a foot pedal the amount of water re~uired
to flush the toilet bowl.
While the various components are shown in combination,
it is within the purview of the present invention that the
various components such as the bathtub 50, the shower
stall 15, the flush tank 91 and the storage tank 111 may
be employed respectively as self-contained units or may be ~ -
employed in combination with one or more other components.
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