US2799290A - Flush tank valve - Google Patents

Description

Filed Se pt. 14, 195s INVENTOR. I

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 July 16, 1957 B. SVIRSKY FLUSH TANKVALVE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 14, 1955 7&

e5 46* @0 g2 99 a9 6 0 Q4 542 29 s s Q7 40 59 INVENT0R..

2,799,290 FLUSH TANK VALVE 'Bennett Svirsky, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor of one-half to Sidney Breier, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application September 14, 1955, Serial No. 534,357

6 Claims. (Cl. 137-414) This invention relates to valve mechanism for toilet flush tanks and the like.

A primary object of the invention is to provide an improved water inlet valve for toilet flush tanks and the like, including as part of a unitary assembly novel and simplified water outlet and anti-siphoning means, and also simplified float operated pilot valve and water closet trap filling means.

A further object of the invention is to provide valve mechanism .of the above-mentioned type which is silent and positive in operation, leak-proof and quick acting to admit water into the flush tank for refilling same, in response to opening or unseating of the float operated pilot valve.

Another object of the invention is to provide valve mechanism of the above-mentioned character forming a unitary assembly, bodily mounted upon the upright water inlet pipe of the flush tank, and so constructed that access may be readily had to the interior of the three major components of the device for servicing or maintaining the same.

A still further object is to provide valve mechanism of the above-mentioned character which is sturdy and durable in construction, compact, and relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of flush tank valve mechanism in acordance with the present invention, parts broken away and parts in section,

Figure 2 is a plan view of the valve mechanism alone,

Figure 3 is an enlarged vertical section taken on line 33 of Figure 2,

Figure 4 is a similar section taken on line 44 of Figure 2,

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal section taken online 55 of Figure 1, and

Figure 6 is a fragmentary vertical section taken online 66 of Figure 2.

In the drawings, where for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention, the numeral 10 designates a toilet flush tank, or the like, including a bottom wall 11 having an opening 12 through which an upstandingwater inlet pipe 13 extends in the usual manner. Thepipe 13 is rigidly secured to the bottom wall 11 of the tank by conventional screw threaded clamping means 14, as shown in Figure 1. Thepipe 13 extends above the bottom wall 11 for a substantial distance, and terminates somewhat below the top of the tank and preferably slightly above the normal filled water level of the tank. The tank 10 is also equipped with the usualupstanding overflow pipe 15, and with conventional water discharge or flushing valve Patented July 16, 1957 ice mechanism, notshown,.and forming no part of the present invention.

The valve mechanism of the present invention is designated generally by thenumeral 16, and includes aninlet valve casing 17 which may be generally cylindrical and upright, as shown. Thevalve casing 17 embodies a -lower section having aside wall 18 and a relatively thicktop wall 19 provided with a central verticalcylindrical bore 20. The lower section of thevalve casing 17 also has abottom wall 21 defining with thetop wall 19 andside wall 18, alower chamber 22. A dependingsleeve extension 23 is integrally secured to, thebottom wall 21 andhas formed therein an upwardly openingcylindrical recess 24, having a bottom annular ledge or shoulder 25. A somewhat reduced dependingtubular extension 26 is formed integral with thesleeve extension 23 and engages iover the top endof thewater inlet pipe 13 and is rigidly secured thereto by any suitable means, 'such as by welding, soldering or the like. The arrangement is such that the top end of thepipe 13 is preferably flush with the shoulder [25, Figure 3. It is thus seen that theentire valve mechanism 16 is bodily supported by the inlet pipe '13 within the tank 10.

Thevalve casing 17 further comprises an upper section orcap 27 having a side wall and a top wall 28. Anupper chamber 29 is formed within thecap 27 and opens through the bottom of the cap opposite thewall 19 of the lower casing section. Thecap 27 is detachably rigidly secured to the lower casing section byscrews 30, or the like. 'The diameter of theupper chamber 29 is substantially larger than that of thebore 20 and recess '24, as shown.

A plunger orpiston 31 extends slidably through thebore 20 and through thelower chamber 22, Figure 3. A lower reduced portion .32 of theplunger 31 is adapted to enter therecess 24, as shown, and theplunger 31 has a small central axial bore or passage 33 extending therethrough from end to end, with its lower end adapted to communicate directly with the top of theinlet pipe 13. The lower end of theplunger 31 has an annular recess 34 formed therein for receiving an annular washer 35 of rubber, or the like. A valve seat 36 of rubber or the like is mounted within therecess 24 and rests upon the shoulder 25 and the top of thepipe 13, and is preferably securely held by friction within therecess 24. The valve seat 25 is annular, and has a bore 37 which registers with the bore of thepipe 13. The valve seat 36 is preferably frusto-conical in shape, with its tapering end directed upwardly for sealing engagement with the bottom of the washer 35, within therecess 24.

Adjacent the upper face of theWall 19, the piston orplunger 31 has a reduced upstanding screw threaded extension 38, integral therewith for receiving a nut 39. Aflexible diaphragm 40 of rubber or the like surrounds the extension 38and is clamped against atop shoulder 41 of theplunger 31 by the nut 39. Thediaphragm 40 entirely covers the bottom of theupper chamber 29 and efiects the sealing or separation of thechambers 22 and 29. The marginal portion of thediaphragm 40 is tightly clamped by thescrews 30 between the bottom of thecap 27 and thewall 19.

Above the screw-threaded extension 33, theplunger 31 carries a reduced tubular extension or guide 42, integral therewith slidably received within an upstanding tubular extension ornipple 43, formed integral with the top wall 28, Figure 3. The tubular extension 42 is provided near its lower end and within thechamber 29 with a pair of transversely arranged small ports or weep openings 44 extending therethrough at different elevations. The tubular extension 42 is internally screw-threaded for the reception of an adjusting screw 45 which. may be utilized to close oil the upper port 44, when desired, where the incoming water pressure is excessively high. Thetubular extension 43 is externally screw-threaded for the reception of atop closure cap 46, having screw-threaded engagement therewith and a compressible gasket or washer 47 is interposed between the top of theextension 43 and thecap 46 for effecting a fluid-tight seal therebetween, and also for limiting resiliently the upward travel of the guide extension 42.

Integrally formed upon theinlet valve casing 17 at one side of the same is an outlet andanti-siphoning casing 48 having an upstandingcylindrical side wall 49 and athick bottom wall 50. Thecasing 48 defines awater chamber 51, open at its top as shown in Figure 4. Thelower chamber 22 of the inlet valve casing communicates with thechamber 51 by means of ahorizontal branch passage 52 and arecess 53 formed in the top face of thebottom walls 50. An upstanding sleeve ortube 54 of hard rubber or the like has its lower reduced end firmly anchored within therecess 53 and has itsbore 55 directly communicating with thepassage 52 and with the interior of thechamber 51, centrally thereof. A water pressure actuatedcap member 56 which is cylindrical surrounds thesleeve 54 and has atop wall 57 adapted to rest upon the top end of thesleeve 54, Figure 4. Thesleeve 54 is preferably square in cross section, Figure 5, and the cylindrical bore orrecess 58 which opens through the bottom of thecap member 56 slidably receives the four corners of thesleeve 54 as shown in Figure 5. The lower end of thecap member 56 is adapted to substantially contact thebottom wall 50 when the cap member is resting upon the top of thesleeve 54. As best shown in Figure 5, a plurality ofvertical passages 59 are formed between the flat sides of thesquare sleeve 54 and thebore 58 of thecap member 56 so that water passing from thebore 55 may enter thechamber 51 when the cap member is elevated by water pressure, or the like. Thecap member 56 may be formed of hard rubber, light weight plastics material, or the like.

The upper end of thecasing 48 is screw-threaded for the reception of thecap 60 formed of hard rubber, plastics material, or the like and having screw-threaded engagement therewith. Thiscap 60 partially covers the top of thechamber 51, but has a large opening 61 formed therethrough leading into thechamber 51. A short dependingsleeve extension 62 on thecap 60 has a tapered orknifelike edge 63 at its lower end to form a seat for a flatcompressible washer 64 carried by the top wall of thecap member 56, and preferably formed of rubber or the like. Thewasher 64 surrounds anupstanding lug 65 of thecap member 56, and is maintained centered thereby for proper engagement with the dependingseat 63. A boss orprojection 66 is formed integral with one side of thecasing 48, as shown, and this boss has a vertical bore 67 opening through its bottom end, and receiving the upper end portion of a depending vertical water outlet tube 68, having its lower end terminating near and above the bottom wall 11 of the tank 10. The outlet tube 68 is rigidly secured within the bore 67 by any suitable means. A passage 69 leads from the bore 67 ofboss 66 into thewater chamber 51 of thecasing 48, near the top of the latter. This passage 69 also leads into the opened top end of the tube 68, within theboss 66. When thecap member 56 is elevated by water pressure, the water may flow from thesleeve 54 through thepassages 59, to thechamber 51, and from this chamber through the passage 69 to the outlet tube 68.

A pilot valve casing 70 is arranged adjacent one side of thecasing 17 in an upright position, and this pilot valve casing has a cylindrical vertical chamber 71, as shown and a reducedvertical bore 72 leading fromthe bottom .of the chamber 71 through the lower end of the casing 70. A tubular extension ornipple 73 extends transversely of the casing 70 and is preferably integral therewith. Thenipple 73 is screw-threaded for engagement within a screwthreaded opening 74 in the side wall of thecap 27. The

chambers 29 and 71 are thus in communication through thenipple 73 and the nipple serves to rigidly mount the pilot valve casing 70 upon theinlet valve casing 17. The top end of the casing 70 carries a screw-threadedcap 75 having acompressible gasket 76 contained therein for sealing engagement with the top of the casing 70.

A tubular valve seat or sleeve 77 of rubber or the like is mounted within the bottom of the chamber 71 and has its bore registering with thebore 72, Figure 3. A conically tapered pilot valve element 78 is adapted to engage the upper end of the compressible seat 77 for sealing the same, and this valve element 78 is carried by a vertically reciprocatory stem 79 having atop extension 80 which projects above the valve element 78 for contact with thecap 75 to limit the upward travel of the valve element 78. The valve stem 79 carries an O-ring seal 81, below the seat 77, which seals thebore 72. The valve stem 79 includes abottom extension 82 projecting below the casing 70 and recessed in one side at 83 to receive acam extension 84 of a generally horizontal vertically swingable float arm orlever 85, carrying the usual float ball 86. Thecam extension 84 is pivoted at 87 between a pair of dependinglugs 88 formed integral with the lower end of the casing 70 on opposite sides of therecess 83. It may thus be seen that when thecam extension 84 of the float lever turns upon itspivot 87, the pilot valve element 78 is raised and lowered.

A water closettrap refill tube 89 is provided, and extends into the top of theoverflow pipe 15, in the usual manner. One end of therefill tube 89 engages over and is secured to a nipple 90 having its screw-threaded end 91 secured within a screw-threaded opening in the side wall of the casing 70, adjacent the tubular seat 77. Aside opening 92 of the tubular seat 77 registers with the bore of the nipple 9i) and places this nipple in communication with the bore of the seat 77 and thebore 72. The nipple 90 has an air vent or notch 93 cut in one side thereof to prevent siphoning of water from theoverflow pipe 15 back into the casing 70 which is a part of the fresh water system.

The operation of the valve mechanism is as follows:

When the tank 10 is filled with water to the usual level and the float ball 86 is elevated to the position shown in the drawings, the pilot valve 78 is closed and water cannot escape from theupper chamber 29. Incoming water under pressure, from thepipe 13 passes through the small passage 33 and port or ports 44 to theupper chamber 29, filling the same. Since the diameter of thechamber 29 anddiaphragm 40 is much greater than the diameter or area of the washer 35 subjected to the pressure of the water in thepipe 13, the water pressure in thechamber 29 will readily maintain theplunger 31 closed or seated upon the rubber seat 37. Incoming water will therefore be unable to enter thelower chamber 22 when the tank 10 is full.

When the tank is emptied for flushing the water closet by means not shown, the float ball 86 will descend, and

thecam extension 84 will be elevated for raising the pilot valve 78 from its seat 77. This will instantly allow water to pass from thechamber 29 through thenipple 73 to the chamber 71, and through the bore of the seat 77 to theopening 92, and through the nipple 90 to thetrap filler tube 89. The trap in the water closet will by this means be maintained filled or sealed, and no contaminated water may be siphoned through thetube 89 to the chamber 71, because of thevent 93.

Simultaneously with the opening of the pilot valve 78, and the relief of water pressure in thechamber 29, thediaphragm 40 will flex, and theplunger 31 will be elevated by water pressure so that water from thepipes 13 may enter thechamber 22 and then flow through thepassage 52 and sleeve bore 55 to elevate thecap member 56. When this occurs, thewasher 64 of thecap member 56 will instantly seal against theseat 63, and thechamber 51 will be filled, and the water under pressure will flow 13mm the tube orsleeve 54 through thepassages 59 to thechamber 51, and from this chamber through the passage 69 to the outlet tube 68, and through this tube into the tank to refill the same.

As the tank 10 is refilled, the float ball 86 is again elevated for closing the pilot valve 78, and creating water pressure within thechamber 29, which acts upon thediaphragm 40 to lower or close theplunger 31, thus completing the cycle of operation.

It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit of the invention or scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. Valve mechanism for a toilet flush tank comprising a casing to be mounted upon the inlet pipe of the flush tank and having first and second chambers and a passage connecting said chambers, a plunger slidable within said passage and having a port extending therethrough with one end of the port communicating with said inlet pipe, a tubular guide extension carried by the end of the plunger remote from the inlet pipe and having port means communicating with the first-named port of the plunger, adjustable means carried by the guide extension to regulate the opening of said port means, said guide extension slidably engaging said casing, said port means communicating with said second chamber, a flexible diaphragm connected with the plunger and covering the second chamber and being of substantial diameter, a valve seat arranged within said casing adjacent the inlet pipe, a valve element secured to the plunger and engageable with the valve seat to prevent the passage of water from the inlet pipe to the first chamber when the plunger and flexible diaphragm are acted upon by water pressure in the second chamber, float operated relief valve means connected with said casing and communicating with the second chamber, and fluid pressure operated water outlet means connected with said casing and 0perable to permit the passage of water from the first chamber into the tank when said relief valve means is opened.

2. A water inlet valve for toilet flush tanks and the like comprising a casing to be mounted upon the water inlet pipe of the tank and having first and second chambers and a passage connecting said chambers, there being outlet opening means leading from said first chamber of the casing, a reciprocatory plunger mounted within said passage connecting the first and second chambers, valve element and seat means for the plunger adapted to control the passage of water from the inlet pipe to said first chamber, a tubular extension secured to the end of the plunger remote from the inlet pipe and extending through the second chamber and slidably engaging a part of said casing, said plunger having a reduced port extending axially therethrough from the inlet pipe to said tubular extension, said tubular extension having transverse port means communicating with the second chamber, an adjustable element contained within the tubular extension for regulating the opening of the transverse port means, an element carried by said'casing and engaging the end of the tubular extension for limiting the movement of the plunger in one direction, a flexible diaphragm connected with the plunger within the second chamber and acted upon by water pressure in the second chamber to maintain said valve element and seat means in sealed engagement, the valve element and seat means having an area exposed to water pressure substantially smaller than the exposed area of said diaphragm, and float operated relief valve means connected with said casing and communicating with said second chamber.

' 3. In valve mechanism for toilet flush tanks, having an inlet pipe, an inlet casing divided to provide upper and lower chambers, a plunger vertically slidable in an opening in the casing, the bottom chamber communicating with the inlet pipe of said tank, the plunger having a passage providing communicating connection between the inlet and the upper chamber, a flexible diaphragm connected with said plunger and a fixed part of said chamber, an extension rising from said plunger, said casing top being provided with a recess in which said plunger extension reciprocates, and means adjustably mounted on said casing for limiting the reciprocating movement of said extension and plunger.

4. In valve mechanism according toclaim 3 wherein said plunger is provided with a plurality of vertically spaced ports aifording communication between the passage in the plunger and the upper chamber, and means on the extension for selectively closing said ports.

5. In a valve mechanism according toclaim 3 wherein a floatoperated valve is disposed to communicate with said upper chamber of the casing, said float operated valve having an outlet tube provided with an air vent to prevent siphoning of water back into the inlet casing.

6. In valve mechanism according to claim 5, an antisiphon casing mounted at one side of and having communication through a lateral passage with the lower chamber of said inlet casing, said anti-siphon casing having an opening in the top and an outlet at the side, a vertical outlet tube in said anti-siphon casing and a fluid pressure actuated cap slidable on said outlet tube.

Weaver et al. June 22, 1909 Layton Aug. 11, 1939

Images