EP0124458B1 - Flushing device for a flushing tank operated by a push button - Google Patents

Abstract

1. Flushing device operated by a push button, for a flushing tank, comprising a push button accessible at the exterior of the tank, a movement-reversing mechanism (4-5-6), a transmission member (9) constituted preferably by a tubular rod, and a valve (10), for closing the emptying opening (0) of the said tank, installed on the lower end of the said transmission member, characterised in that the said movement-reversing mechanism comprises a first rack (4) or driving rack integral with the push button (1) by its upper part or by an extension of its upper part and meshing with a pinion (5) which is itself in engagement with a second rack (6) or driven rack coupled to the transmission member (9) carrying the said closing valve (10), such that force exerted on the push button brings about the lifting of the closing valve and the opening of emptying opening.

Description

The present invention relates to an evacuation device controlled by a push button, for a flush tank.

Are known (US Patent No. 3,968,525) devices for evacuating flushing cisterns, controlled by a push button, comprising a push button acting, when pressed, on a reversing system of movement comprising a lever mounted with a tilting ability on a load-bearing axis, one of the ends of this lever receiving the push of the push-button while its opposite end is connected to the shutter valve of the tank emptying orifice, by means of a transmission member constituted by a chain or a rigid rod.

• dans le fait que tous les systèmes d'évacuation à commande par bouton-poussoir connus sont relativement encombrants, ce qui n'est pas propice si l'on considère l'espace réduit dont on dispose à l'intérieur du réservoir, le volume d'eau souhaitable pour obtenir un processus de chasse d'eau efficace et la nécessité de loger également, dans ledit réservoir, le robinet à flotteur commandant l'admission d'eau ;
• dans le fait qu'il est nécessaire de prévoir un agencement spécial du réservoir pour l'installation de l'axe portant le levier pivotant ;
• dans le fait que certaines de leurs pièces mobiles sont orientées dans différentes directions et se déplacent suivant des trajectoires non parallèles, de sorte qu'elles ne sont pas parfaitement guidées, ce qui peut être une cause de fonctionnement défectueux ;
• dans le fait qu'il est nécessaire de maintenir la pression sur le bouton-poussoir durant le processus de chasse d'eau, et qu'il est possible d'interrompre ce processus en relâchant cette pression, ce qui est incompatible avec les règles d'hygiène modernes.

Such devices designed to supplant the evacuation systems provided with a control button acting by traction (which in particular has the disadvantage of being very exposed to risks of tearing), are affected by a certain number of drawbacks which certainly constitute obstacles to the progress of their popularization. These drawbacks lie in particular:

• in that all of the known push-button control evacuation systems are relatively bulky, which is not conducive if we consider the reduced space available within the tank, the volume d water desirable to obtain an efficient flushing process and the need to also house, in said tank, the float valve controlling the admission of water;
• in the fact that it is necessary to provide a special arrangement of the reservoir for the installation of the axis carrying the pivoting lever;
• in that some of their moving parts are oriented in different directions and move in non-parallel paths, so that they are not perfectly guided, which can be a cause of faulty operation;
• in the fact that it is necessary to maintain pressure on the push button during the flushing process, and that it is possible to interrupt this process by releasing this pressure, which is incompatible with the rules of hygiene.

An objective targeted by the present invention is therefore, in particular, to remedy the aforementioned drawbacks of the systems for evacuating flushing cisterns provided with a control mechanism acting by pressing on a push button.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by means of a device comprising a push button accessible from the outside of the tank, a movement reversal mechanism, a transmission member and a valve for closing the orifice. for emptying the tank, this device being notably remarkable in that said movement reversal mechanism comprises a first rack or drive rack secured by its upper part or by an extension of its upper part, of the push button and meshing with a pinion, which is also engaged with a second rack or driven rack subject to the transmission member carrying said shutter valve, so that the pressure exerted on the push button causes the valve to be raised shutter and opening of the drain orifice.

According to another characterizing arrangement, the pinions of the pinion or of its axis, are mounted with the ability to move in vertical openings that have a fixed support guide, while the lower portion of the rod carrying the shutter valve of the 'drain port is equipped with a float advantageously constituted by a bell arranged concentrically around said lower portion.

• un encombrement réduit, compte tenu du fait que tous ses organes ou groupes d'organes constitutifs sont rassemblés sur un axe commun ;
• l'inutilité d'un agencement particulier du réservoir, de sorte que ce dispositif peut être facilement et avantageusement substitué aux systèmes d'évacuation comportant un bouton de commande agissant par traction et déjà installés sur des réservoirs en service ;
• un fonctionnement sûr et de longue durée résultant du fait que tous ses organes mobiles se déplacent suivant des trajectoires parallèles et sont parfaitement guidés ;
• l'impossibilité d'interrompre le processus de rinçage lorsque ce dernier a été amorcé, ce qui respecte les normes d'hygiène actuelles.

The push-button device according to the invention provides several advantages such as, for example:

• reduced dimensions, taking into account the fact that all of its constituent organs or groups of organs are brought together on a common axis;
• the uselessness of a particular arrangement of the tank, so that this device can be easily and advantageously substituted for the drainage systems comprising a control button acting by traction and already installed on tanks in service;
• safe and long-term operation resulting from the fact that all of its movable members move in parallel paths and are perfectly guided;
• the impossibility of interrupting the rinsing process when it has started, which meets current hygiene standards.

• La figure 1 est une vue en coupe axiale partielle du dispositif d'évacuation de réservoir de chasse d'eau à commande par bouton-poussoir selon l'invention, lequel est illustré dans une position correspondant à la fermeture dudit dispositif.
• La figure 2 est une vue en coupe axiale du seul mécanisme à commande par bouton-poussoir de ce dispositif, montré positionné sur le couvercle, partiellement représenté, d'un réservoir de chasse d'eau.
• La figure 3 est une vue en coupe verticale selon la ligne 3-3 de la figure 2.
• La figure 4 est une vue en plan et en coupe selon la ligne 4-4 de la figure 2.
• La figure 5 est une vue en plan et en coupe suivant la ligne 5-5 de la figure 2.
• Les figures 6 à 8 sont des vues partielles, en coupe axiale, illustrant le fonctionnement du dispositif selon l'invention.

The aims, characteristics and advantages above, and others still, will emerge more clearly from the description which follows and from the appended drawings in which:

• Figure 1 is a partial axial sectional view of the flushing device for flushing the toilet tank by push button control according to the invention, which is illustrated in a position corresponding to the closing of said device.
• Figure 2 is an axial sectional view of the single push button control mechanism of this device, shown positioned on the cover, partially shown, of a flush tank.
• Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view along line 3-3 of Figure 2.
• FIG. 4 is a plan view and in section along line 4-4 of FIG. 2.
• FIG. 5 is a plan view and in section along line 5-5 of FIG. 2.
• Figures 6 to 8 are partial views, in axial section, illustrating the operation of the device according to the invention.

Reference is made to said drawings to describe an advantageous, although in no way limiting, embodiment of the device according to the invention.

This device comprises a push button 1, movable axially and vertically, for example over a stroke of the order of 15 mm. This push button comprises a central nut 1a constituted by a cylindrical axial stud provided with a blind thread, and a side skirt 1b, by means of which it is guided in and on a fixed setting button 2. This fixed button is secured to 'an envelope 3 constituted by a cylindrical sleeve.

Advantageously, the fixed button 2 and the sleeve 3 are assembled by screwing, said fixed button and the upper portion of said sleeve comprising, respectively, for this purpose, a tapping and a complementary thread. On the other hand, the sleeve 3 is arranged vertically and it is provided with an external thread on at least its lower portion. Inside said sleeve 3 is housed a movement reversal mechanism. This mechanism comprises a first vertical rack 4 which is conventionally called “drive rack in the remainder of this description, this rack being secured, in translation, by its upper part or by an extension of its upper part, to the button- mobile push-button 1. The drive rack and said push-button are preferably assembled in a separable manner, by screwing, the upper end of said rack being, for example, formed in one piece with a screw 4a screwed in the central nut of the push button.

The rack 4 meshes with a pinion 5 which is also engaged with a second rack 6 housed with a longitudinal translational ability in the sleeve 3 and which is conventionally called "rack driven driven in the following description. The racks 4 and 6 are therefore arranged parallel and face to face. They are guided in a support guide 7 fixedly installed in the sleeve 3, for example by means of a pin 8. This support guide is constituted by a generally cylindrical part provided with two parallel grooves 7a, 7b diametrically opposite and separated by a partition 7c in which a window 7d is formed for the passage of the pinion 5.

According to another important characteristic of the invention and the advantage of which is explained in the remainder of this description, the pinion 5 is mounted with the ability to move in the vertical plane. According to an interesting embodiment, the pins 5a of the pinion 5 or of its axis are housed with the ability to move in opposite vertical slots 7e, 7f, respectively, which has the support guide 7. These slots are provided in the opposite walls which delimit, laterally, the window 7d which has a length a little greater than that of said lights in order to allow the movements of the pinion.

The driven rack 6 is subject, separably and adjustable, to the rod 9 carrying the valve 10 for closing the emptying orifice of the flush tank. The rack 6 is, for example, rigidly secured to a screw 6a arranged in the extension of its lower portion and formed in one piece with it.

The screw 6a is screwed into a nut 9a which is equipped, axially, the top of the rod 9 which is constituted by a cylindrical tube. Thanks to this removable assembly method, the rack 6 and the tubular rod 9 are secured in translation.

The valve 10 is constituted by a seal in the form of a circular crown installed in a peripheral groove which is provided with the lower end of the rod 9. The lower portion of the said rod is arranged so as to constitute a float. In a manner known per se, this float is formed by a bell 11 arranged around the lower portion of the rod 9 and the lower edge of which is placed above and at a reduced distance from the plane in which the upper face of the valve 10 is located. .

The lower part of the movement reversing mechanism and the valve holder float rod are housed in a tubular protection and guide casing 12. The upper end of this casing is fitted with a cap 13 provided with an orifice threaded axial 13a constituting a nut into which is screwed the sleeve 3 containing the movement reversal mechanism.

The device according to the invention is also associated with a base 14 comprising a central orifice 0 constituting the emptying orifice of the reservoir and whose upper circular edge 14a forms the seat of the valve 10. This base, of a design known per se, is intended to be installed fixedly, by means of a nut screwing on its threaded lower cylindrical portion 14b, on the discharge orifice 01 of the reservoir. It makes it possible to ensure the junction between said discharge orifice and the orifice for entering the rinsing water into the toilet bowl. It is able to be assembled, in a removable manner, to the bell-shaped base 12a of the casing or outer casing 12. For this purpose, the base comprises three locking forks 14c oriented upwards, arranged equidistantly around and at distance from the drain opening 0. A space is reserved between the vertical branches of these forks allowing the passage of the lower edge of the outer bell 12a resting in the bottom of said space, the locking being obtained by a rotation of the tubular casing 12 -12a for placing the outer shoulders 12b in the form of a circular arc which is provided with the base of said outer bell, below the retaining spout 14d directed inward which is provided with the outer branch of each fork.

When the evacuation device controlled by a push button according to the invention is installed in a tank, it is assembled, using the means described above, to the base 14 positioned in the evacuation orifice 01 that has the bottom 15 of the reservoir (partially shown in FIG. 1), while the upper portion of the sleeve 3 passes through the orifice 02 formed in the cover 16 (partially illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 6, 7 and 8) of said reservoir, and that the fixed button 2 screwed on said upper portion bears on the upper face of said cover. It is observed that by virtue of the assembly by screwing, on the one hand, of the sleeve 3 and of the tubular casing 12, and, on the other hand, of the screw 6a of the driven rack 6 and of the valve-holder rod 9, it is possible to easily adapt, by a simple rotation of the push button control mechanism, the height of the drainage device according to the invention to the depth of the flush tank; the threads of said sleeve and of said screw having, for this purpose, an identical pitch and direction.

It is well understood, after the foregoing description, the operation of the push button device according to the invention.

In filling and inactivity phases (Figures 1 and 6), the push button 1 accessible from outside the tank is in the high position, while the valve 10 is pressed on its seat 14a. By pressing the push-button 1 on a stroke of the order of 15 mm, the drive rack 4 is pressed which communicates a rotational movement to the pinion 5 whose pins 5a remain maintained in the bottom of the vertical lights 7e, 7f. The rotation of the pinion causes an upward movement of the driven rack 6, of amplitude equal to that of the downward travel of the drive rack (Figure 7).

The upward translation of the driven rack causes a corresponding axial translation of the rod 9 and, consequently, the lifting of the valve 10. When the latter is detached from its seat 14a, the upward thrust which is exerted on the float 11 allows 'move the valve a little further from its seat, so as to completely release the drain orifice 0 and allow an effective flushing action. This additional lifting of the valve 10 over a second stroke of the order of 15 mm is made possible by the fact that the pinion 5 driven by the additional upward stroke of the driven rack 6, can roll on the drive rack 4 immobilized by pressing the push button 1 on the fixed button 2, said pinion and its pins 5a moving, during this movement, in the window 7d and in the lights 7e, 7f, respectively. It is therefore understood that, thanks to the device according to the invention, the stroke of the push button 1 is limited to 15 mm, while that of the assembly: 6-rod rack 9-valve 10, is 30 mm and constituted by two successive movements, each having an amplitude of 15 mm. These movements are accomplished in a very short period of time, the emptying process being initiated as soon as the push button is pressed, and then continuing automatically, without the possibility of interruption.

At the end of the emptying process during which it is not necessary to keep pressing the push button, the valve 10 automatically returns to apply on its seat, the assembly 6-9-10 descending by gravity effect, by driving, in the first half of its downward travel, the descent of the pinion, then, during the second half of its travel, the ascent of the drive rack 4 and of the push button 1 integral with the latter.

Claims (10)

1. Flushing device operated by a push button, for a flushing tank, comprising a push button accessible at the exterior of the tank, a movement-reversing mechanism (4-5-6), a transmission member (9) constituted preferably by a tubular rod, and a valve (10), for closing the emptying opening (0) of the said tank, installed on the lower end of the said transmission member, characterised in that the said movement-reversing mechanism comprises a first rack (4) or driving rack integral with the push button (1) by its upper part or by an extension of its upper part and meshing with a pinion (5) which is itself in engagement with a second rack (6) or driven rack coupled to the transmission member (9) carrying the said closing valve (10), such that force exerted on the push button brings about the lifting of the closing valve and the opening of emptying opening.

2. Flushing device operated by a push button, for a flushing tank, according to claim 1, characterised in that the trunnions (5a) of the pinion (5) or of its axle are mounted with a capability of displacement in vertical slots (7e, 7f) of a fixed guide support (7).

3. Flushing device operated by a push button, for a flushing tank, according to claim 2, characterised in that the lower portion of the rod (9) carrying the valve (10) for closing the emptying opening (0) is equipped with a float (11) which is constituted, for example, by a bell disposed concentrically about the said lower portion.

4. Flushing device operated by a push button, for a flushing tank, according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterised in that the fixed guide support (7) comprises two parallel grooves which are diametrically opposed and separated by a wall (7c) in which is formed a window (7d) for the passage and the movements of the pinion (5).

5. Flushing device operated by a push button, for a flushing tank, according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the various members of the movement-reversing mechanism (4, 5, 6, 7) are housed in a casing (3), preferably cylindrical, the upper part of which is fast with a fixed button (2) serving to bear on the upper face of the cover (16) of the tank.

6. Flushing device operated by a push button, for a flushing tank, according to claim 5, comprising a housing (12) surrounding the valve-bearing rod (9) and the lower part of which serves for assembly to a base (14) comprising a central opening (0) constituting the emptying opening of the tank and the upper circular edge (14a) of which forms the seat of the valve (10) characterised in that the cylindrical envelope (3) and the said housing (12) are assembled by threading, the said cylindrical envelope comprising, for example, an external threading by means of which it is threaded into a tapped axial orifice (13a) of the upper end (13) of the said housing.

7. Flushing device operated by a push button, for a flushing tank, according to one of claims 5 or 6, characterised in that the fixed button (2) and the casing (3) in which are disposed the members of the movement-reversing mechanism (4, 5, 6, 7) are assembled by threading, the upper portion of the said casing and the said button being for example respectively provided with a complementary external thread and a tapping.

8. Flushing device operated by a push button, for a flushing tank, according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the driven rack (6) is coupled by threading to the valve-bearing rod (9), the lower end of the said rack being extended, for example, by a screw (6a) preferably formed in one piece with the latter and threaded into a nut (9a) provided axially on the upper part of the said rod.

9. Flushing device operated by a push button, for a flushing tank, according to claims 6 and 8, characterised in that the threading of the cylindrical casing (3) and the threading of the screw (6a) constituting the lower portion of the driven rack (6) have the same pitch and direction.

10. Flushing device operated by a push button, for a flushing tank, according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the fixed stop button (2) constitutes a member for stopping and guiding the movable push button (1).

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