US3695288A - Remotely actuated flush valves - Google Patents

Abstract

The flush valve is located behind a wall and is hydraulically actuated by a push button on the front wall. The operating button is connected to the inlet supply line and to a piston in the flush valve handle coupling, over a pair of small copper tubes. The tubes allow for variations in roughing-in measurement and wall thickness, and can be of any length.

Description

United States Patent V 3,695,288 Billeter et al. 5] 5 Oct. 3, 1972 [54] REMOTELY ACTUATED FLUSH 2,129,938 9/1938 Johnson ..251/33 X VALVES 1,750,317 3/ 1930 Hope ..251/33 Inventors: Henry R. Billeter 3,1 Bllletel' X s A k both of 3,1 Bllleter 916,758 3/1909 Murphy ..25l/41 Ass1gnee= Sloan Valve Company 2,308,478 1/1943 Lingold ..251/57 [22] Filed: Sept. 23, 1970 Primary Examiner-Arnold Rosenthal [21] Appl- N04 74,606 Attorney-Parker, Carter & Markey 52 us. c1. ..137/360, 251/29, 251/41 ABSTRACT [51] Int. Cl ..Fl6k 31/143 The flush valve is located behind a wall and is h d y rau [58] Field of Search lically actuated by a push button on the front wall. 1 251/40 137/360 The operating button is connected to the inlet supply References Cited line and to a piston in the flush valve handle coupling,

over a pair of small copper tubes. The tubes allow for UNITED STATES PATENTS variations in roughing-in measurement and wall thickness, and can be of any length. 2,461,313 2/1949 Davis ..25l/25 6/1926 Forfar ..25 1/41X 7 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures 48 59 T T T 11 vH V 7 he; 7 7 v I "l v l 37 *5 x I I 46 2/ 45 20 u PATENTEBBBTB m2 3,695,288

SHEET 1 UF 2 INVENTORS HENRY R. B/LLETE'R BY CHARLES S. ALLEN PARKER,CARTER 8 MAR/(E7 arromvsrs PATENTEDum m2 3.695.288

' sum 2 0F 2 INVENTORS HENRY R. BILLETER BY CHARLES '5. ALLEN PARKER,CARTER 8 MARKEY AT ran/vars 1 REMOTELY ACTUATED FLUSH VALVES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION where it is readily accessible to the user of the fixture,

while the rigid extension coupling for the handle passes through the wall and is rigidly connected to the flush valve. Upon installing such concealed flush valves, the plumber was formerly confronted with the problem of ordering the correct length of rigid handle coupling because of the many different wall thicknesses encountered and which may be changed when the wall is finally finished. Furthermore it was always difficult for the plumber to accurately line up the flush valve with the opening in the wall through which the handle or push button protrudes. It was also necessary for him to place the flush valve to the left of the closet bowl so the operating handle or push button would be accessible to the user on that side of the bowl. This installation therefore required the use of additional elbows and piping connections extending from the flush valve outlet to the closet bowl, thereby increasing the costs of labor and materials. The dimensions also had to be fairly accurate so that a neat installation would be presented, a difficult task for the plumber.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The foregoing disadvantages are all overcome by the present invention in which a novel remotely controlled actuator and hydraulic mechanism is provided for operating the flush valve. The push button actuating mechanism is universally adapted for any wall thickness which may be encountered on a job; the

roughing-in dimensions of the flush valve need not be accurately made; the installation is much cheaper and simpler; and the need for the plumber to stock rigid handle extensions of different lengths for various wall thicknesses, is eliminated.

An object of the invention therefore is to design a new and improved flush valve actuating mechanism which is positive and reliable in operation, simple in construction, easy to install, is adaptable to various wall thicknesses, and solves many unforeseen problems encountered in installation.

Another object of the invention is to utilize the hydrostatic pressure of the inlet water supply line for actuating the operating mechanism to cause the flush valve to operate.

A feature of the invention resides in the provision of a piston actuator on the flush valve responsive to the supply line pressure and which has an orifice therein smaller in diameter than the inlet connection to the piston, thereby providing a pressure drop across the piston insuring the positive operation of the piston. The orifice also serves to relieve the pressure on the front side of the piston permitting its restoration, after the inlet pressure has been disconnected by the push button.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists of certainnovel features of construction, operation, and combination of elements which will be more fully described, illustrated, and pointed out hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional side view of a typical plumbing installation illustrating the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the push button operating unit mounted in the wall;

FIG. 3 is apartial cross-sectional side view of the actuating unit attached to the flush valve; while FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of a modified form of the push button operating unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to FIG. 1, this illustrates a typical installation of a wall hungwater closet bowl 5 mounted on awall surface 6 and connected with a commercially known type of flush valve such as a Sloan Crownflush valve 7 for flushing thewater closet 5. Athrottle valve 8 is attached to the inlet side of theflush valve 7 and to the inletwater supply pipe 9. Theoutlet flush pipes 10 and 11 from theflush valve 7 lead into thecloset bowl 5 in the usual manner. An' operatingpush button assembly 12 for operating theflush valve 7 is mounted on the front of thewall surface 6 in any desirable location where it is readily accessible to a person using the water closet. If desired, the common hand operated handle could be substituted for thepush button 12. The manual operating unit or assembly indicated generally at 13 is supported in thewall 6 while the actuating unit assembly indicated generally at 14, FIG. 3, is mounted directly upon the usual handle opening of theflush valve 7. A pair of small flexible tubes, preferably copper tubing such as and 16, extends between theassembly units 13 and 14 and theflush valve 7. Theflexible tube 15 is normally under constant hydraulic pressure from thewater supply line 9 and the inlet side of the flush valve, while thetube 16 is normally at zero line pressure.

The manually operatedassembly unit 13 as seen in FIG. 2 has a rearwardly extendingbody portion 20 passing through an opening 21 cut in thewall 6. Theunit 13 has amounting flange 22 which clamps against thefront wall surface 6 and is threaded at 23 onto the left hand end of thebody 20. Acover plate 24 encloses themounting flange 22 and is attached thereto by slipping the angular periphery of thecover plate 24 over theinclined surface 25 formed in themounting plate 24. At one edge alocking screw 26 holds thecover plate 24 securely to themounting flange 22. Thepush button 12 protrudes from the center of thecover plate 24 and is spring pressed against theinner side 27 of the cover plate opening byspring 65.

At the rear end of the body portion 20 a threadedstud 30 is screwed into the unit. Thisstud 30 may be of any desired length and passes through a hole in a U-shaped mounting bracket 31, the two legs of which straddle thebody 20 and bear against therear wall surface 6. Aclamping nut 32 is threaded on thestud 30 so that thepush button unit 13 is firmly clamped to thewall 6 between thefront mounting plate 22 and thebracket 31. In this manner thepush button unit 13 is adapted to be solidly supported in position regardless of the thickness of thewall 6. The unused end of thestud 30 may be cut off if desired.

Thepush button assembly 13 includes a valve arrangement comprising a ball type valve member 35 normally seated upon valve seat 36 formed in a valve orsleeve cage 37. Thevalve cage 37 is of hollow tube shape and fitted into a hollow portion orchamber 38 formed axially within thebody 20. A light spring 39 normally holds the ball valve member 35 closed on its seat 36, and a pin 40 across the end ofvalve cage 37 holds the spring 39 in place. An O-ring seal 41 around thevalve cage 37 seals it in thechamber 38 on each side of the valve seat 36. Aninlet fluid passage 45 is formed inbody portion 20 aroundchamber 38 andvalve cage 37, and leads into ports 46 and the inlet side of closed ball valve member 35.Anoutlet fluid passage 47 leads intochamber 38 and into ports 48 formed invalve cage 37 which connect with the downstream side of the valve seat 36. The flexible lengths of tubing and 16 are firmly connected to the end of theirrespective passages 45 and 47 by means ofsuitable compression fittings 49 and 50.

For actuating the ball valve member 35 aplunger 55 is provided which is axially slidable within a threadedbushing 56 in turn threaded at 57 into the front end of thebody portion 20. One end 58 ofplunger 55 is arranged in spaced operative relationship to the ball valve member 35 while the opposite end has aheaded part 59 formed on it. A restoringspring 65 extends between thehead 59 and arecess 66 formed inbushing 56 to normally bias theplunger 55 against the under side of thepush button 12 and hold it in position against the ledge 27 of thecover plate 24. In order to seal theplunger 55 in bushing 56 a cone type seal 67 surrounds theplunger 55 and is clamped in position between the right hand end of bushing 56 and the left end ofvalve cage 37. This seal 67 also prevents leakage outward between thebushing 56, thebody portion 20, the several passages, and ports inchamber 38 andvalve cage 37.

Referring now particularly to FIG. 3, this shows the detail structure of the actuatingunit 14 for causing the flushing action of theflush valve 7. Theunit 14 comprises a cup-shaped casing 70 having a leak proof compression fitting 72 at its side end for connection of theflexible tube 16 thereto. The opposite end of thecasing 70 has a shoulder 71 for the engagement of thecoupling nut 73 which is threaded to the side of the flush valve body and securely clamps thecasing 70 in position on the valve. A sealing gasket 74 is positioned between the shoulder 71 and the flush valve opening. Slidable within thecasing 70 there is apiston 75 preferably of rubber, which is exposed on the left hand side to the pressure fluid when present, throughflexible tube 16 andpassage 76 into thecasing 70. On the opposite side ofpiston 75 there is a backing plate 75' and a plunger 77 attached thereto extending into the flush valve body opening. The plunger 77 passes through the bottom of abushing 78 where it is guided in its forward movement to control and trip the relief valve stem 90 of the flush valve to cause the flush valve to operate.Bushing 78 is supported by being clamped at its edges between the shoulder 71 and the valve body by thecoupling nut 73. A restoring spring 79 for the piston encircles the plunger 77 and extends between thepiston 75 and thebushing 78. Thebushing 78 has adrain opening 80 in one side which is arranged to point downward towards the outlet offlush tube 10 of theflush valve 7. Thepiston 75 and itsbacking plate 75 also have an opening ororifice 81 extending therethrough whichopening 81 is somewhat smaller in diameter than theopening 80. Theorifice 81 being smaller in diameter than theinlet passage 76, provides a pressure drop across the piston to insure its positive operation.

One of the lengths offlexible tubing 15 is connected by a compression fitting 82 to the side wall of theflush valve body 7 so that thetubing 15 is constantly under water supply pressure present above theflush valve seat 83 and thepiston 84 and extending from thecontrol stop 8 and theinlet supply pipe 9. The otherflexible tubing 16 is connected to thecasing 70 by the compression fitting 72 and is under no particular fluid pressure although it may contain some fluid, or even be empty.

It will be apparent that, with the foregoing construction as described, it is immaterial in what position the flush valve is located behind thewall 6 in relation to itsoperating push button 12. It may be at any remote location relative to the push button and no particular problem need be experienced by the plumber in installing or precisely positioning the flush valve. The flush valve is amply supported by theflush tubes 10 and 11 from thewall 6 and by theinlet supply pipe 9. Theflexible tubing 15 and 16 can be cut to almost any length desired or bent in any direction without kinking. The flush valve may therefore be located any distance in back of the wall as well as either to the right or left hand side of the push button or closet bowl. The flush valve furthermore can be located either higher or lower than the push button without affecting its reliable operation.

OPERATION OF THE INVENTION In the operation of the remote flush valve arrangement, according to the invention, the normal condition of the system is as illustrated with theflexible tubing 15 under supply line pressure from theinlet 9 to the ball valve member 35, while thetubing 16 is at zero pressure. The user of the equipment desiring to operate theflush valve 7 to flush thewater closet bowl 5, depresses thepush button 12. This action projects theplunger 55 inward to force the ball valve member 35 off of its valve seat 36 against the fluid pressure inchamber 45 and also against the tension ofsprings 65 and 39. The full supply line pressure now takes effect from theflexible tubing 15, and thesupply pipe 9.

Within thepush button assembly 13 the fluid flow takes place over a path throughpassages 45 ofchamber 38, ports 46 in thesleeve 37, the open valve seat 36, ports 48 insleeve 37,passage 47, through theflexible tubing 16, and into theactuating unit 14. The fluid pressure intubing 16 is now exerted at the flush valve throughpassage 76 of cup-shapedcasing 70 and against the left side ofpiston 75, projecting it forward in thecasing 70 together with the attached plunger 77. Theend 85 of plunger 77 as a result contacts the lower end of relief valve stem 90 in the flush valve to tilt the same off its seat (not shown) resulting, in well known manner, in the upward operation and movement of theflush valve piston 84 from themain valve seat 83. Full water flow now takes place from theinlet supply pipe 9,control stop 8,valve seat 83, and downward through flush tubes and 11 into the closet bowl, flushing the same, as is well understood.

The fluid pressure fromtubing 16 againstpiston 75 is rendered more effective because the area of the piston exposed to this pressure is at its maximum due to the presence of thesmall bumps 86 on the pressure side of the piston. Thesebumps 86 normally space the piston slightly away from the bottom of thecasing 70 and also enable drainage to take place from thetube 16 andpassage 76 outward throughopenings 81 and 80. The restrictedorifice 81 provides a pressure drop across the piston to insure its positive operation when the inlet pressure occurs on the front side of the piston.

Upon the release of thepush button 12 by the user, theplunger 55 is restored byspring 65 thereby permitting the ball valve member 35 to be seated upon its valve seat 36 and cutting off further flow of pressure fluid fromtubing 15 intotubing 16. As afurther result piston 75 is restored by spring 79 and any residual fluid is drained out of thetube 16 andpassage 76 in front ofpiston 75 through thebleed openings 81 and 80, offering no restriction to the free restoring action of the piston. The drainage takes place throughopening 80 and downward at an angle into theflush tube 10 of the flush valve away from the end of the relief valve stem 90, was not to interfere with the operation of the flush valve.

In the event that thepush button 12 is held operated an unduly long time in an attempt to cause the continuous operation of the flush valve, this action will be without effect. Theflush valve 7 is provided with the usual telescoping relief valve stem 90 the end of which comes to rest upon thetop end 85 of the now inwardly held plunger 77. The flush valve accordingly closes off upon themain valve seat 83 to stop the flushing action. However since the ball valve 35 would still be held off of its valve seat 36 and the supply pressure holds thepiston 75 operated, a slight dribble will occur through theopenings 80 and 81 into the flushvalve outlet tube 10. This is however without effect upon the operation of the flush valve and when thepush button 12 is again released the parts are all restored to normal condition.

In certain instances it may be desirable to attach thepressure tubing 15 directly to the body of thecontrol valve 8 with the compressing fitting 92 instead of to theflush valve body 7 by the fitting 82 as shown in FIG. 3. This will enable all flush valves manufactured to be of the same construction whether used for the purpose of the present invention or not. It is obvious that the standard flexible tubing employed can be of any length when supplied to the job and simply cut off to the desired length to fit the installation, the plumber furnishing the tubing and compression fittings from his stock.

As a further alternate arrangement for mounting thepush button assembly 13 upon the wall and considered a more economical one, several mounting screws in mountingplate 22 may be screwed into suitable anchor lugs set in thewall 6. This does away with the use of the clampingbracket 31,stud 30 and clampingnut 32 This arrangement would also securely hold the push button assembly in place regardless of the wall thickness.

Referring to the modification of the push button assembly shown in FIG. 4, this is a structure employing fewer parts most of which may be made of some suitable plastic material easily molded into the desired shapes. The push button assembly may be supported on the front of thewall surface 6 by means of a similar bracket as shown in FIG. 1, with thestud 30 threaded into therear end 101 of the hollowcylindrical body 102. Thebody 102 has afront flange 103 formed on it which butts up against thewall 6 while thebody portion 102 passes through the wall opening 104 to the rear side. A front mountingplate 106 is threaded at 107 around the edge of thefront flange 103 to hold theplate 106 in place. Aninner sleeve 108 fits into thehollow body 102 and has an outwardly formedflange 109 around its front end which rests against the front offlange 103. Ashoulder 110 onplate 106 clamps the outer end offlange 109 againstflange 103 so that all threeparts 103, 109 and 106 are assembled into a secure unitary structure against thewall 6.

An operating push button 111 is arranged on the front of the unit and has its outer edge 112 normally urged byspring 114 against ashoulder 113 formed around the-edge of theplate 106. Thespring 114 extends between the bottom of push button 111 and theflange 109. Slidable within thehollow sleeve 108 is an operatingplunger 115 together with an O-ring seal 1 16 around it for preventing leakage outward through the push button 111 and through thesleeve 108. The gasket seal 127 prevents leakage outward between thesleeve 109 andbody 102. Theleft hand end 117 ofplunger 115 is arranged in close proximity to the rear side of push button 111 while the opposite end is provided with a washer type valve member orseal 118. A restoringspring 119 normally urges theplunger 115 forward and seal 118 into closing contact withvalve seat 120 formed around theplunger 115.

Valve seat 120 is held in position on ashoulder 121 formed on the end ofsleeve 108 adjacent theports 122 and 123 arranged on opposite sides of thesleeve 108. Aninner chamber 124 is located in thebody 102 in to which theinlet tube connection 125 leads, the end of the tube being sweat soldered to thebody 102. Theoutlet tube 126 leads intoport 122 and is also sweat soldered to the end ofbody 102 as shown.

The supply pressure from thetube 125 is present inchamber 124 and it will be apparent that when the push button 111 is operatedplunger 115 is pushed inward to move thevalve member 118 from itsseat 120 thereby permitting water flow to take place fromtubing 125,chamber 124,ports 123 and 122 and intotubing 126, to cause the operation of the flush valve as before.

The advantages of this structure is that theparts 111, 108, 115, can be made cheaply from suitable plastic materials, while it is preferable to form thebody 102 of brass for sturdiness and to enable the tubing to be soldered to the connection.

What is claimed is:

1. In a flush valve operating arrangement, an actuating unit mounted on said flush valve, a remotely located manually operated unit, a pair of flexible tubes extending between said flush valve unit and said remote operated unit, one of said flexible tubes being under supply line pressure, means in said remote operated unit for connecting the supply line pressure from the said one tube to the other tube, said actuating unit including a housing, an inlet connected to said other of said flexible tubes, and a piston responsive to said supply line pressure for actuating said flush valve, means in said actuating unit for reducing the line pressure in said other tube after said remote operated unit means is restored and said flush valve has been operated including an opening in said piston, and spacing means on said piston arranged between said housing and the pressure side of said piston for normally spacing said piston from said housing to maintain constant communication between said opening and said other of said flexible tubes, to permit drainage of said other flexible tube and said housing through said piston opening and'into the outlet of said flush valve.

2. In a flush valve operating arrangement, an actuating unit mounted on said flush valve, a manually operated unit located at a remote point from said flush valve, a pair of flexible tubes extending between said flush valve and said remote operated unit, one of said flexible tubes being normally at zero supply line pressure and connecting said remote operated unit and said actuating unit, the other of said flexible tubes being normally at supply line pressure and connecting said remote operated unit with the inlet supply side of said flush valve, means in said remote operated unit for admitting the supply line pressure from said other tube into the first tube, means in said actuating unit responsive to said said supply line pressure in said first tube for operating said flush valve, and means in said actuating unit for bleeding off the supply line pressure in said first flexible tube after said remote operated unit has been restored and said flush valve has been operated, means in said flush valve for closing it upon its seat after having been operated regardless of the continued operation of said remote operated unit, the bleeding off of the supply line pressure being reduced to a dribble into said flush valve outlet from said supply line.

3. In a flush valve operating arrangement for a flush valve located behind a wall, an actuating unit supported on said flush valve, a remote manually operated unit mounted on the front of the wall, a first flexible tube extending between said manually operated unit and said actuating unit, a second flexible tube extending between said manually operated unit and said flush valve, said second flexible tube being normally under zero line pressure, valve means in said remote manually operated unit operable for admitting the supply line pressure from said second flexible tube into said first flexible tube, and piston means in said actuating unit responsive to said supply line pressure being admitted into said first flexible tube for causing the operation of said flush valve, means in said piston for reducing the supply line pressure after said remote operating unit has been released and said piston restored, said piston being continually held operated in case said remote operating unit is not released, said reduced line pressure being thereby expelled through said piston means into said flush valve outlet, and means in said flush valve for closing its valve seat in case the piston is held ilifi li9$8ififii2l22mm as set forth in claim 3 in which the piston in said actuating means is provided with an orifice for reducing the line pressure in said first flexible tube when said remote manually operated unit is restored.

5. The flush valve operating arrangement as set forth in claim 3 in which the remote manually operated unit consists of a push button adapted to open and close a valve member from its valve seat to establish communication between said flexible tubes.

6. The structure of claim 1 further characterized in that said spacing means includes a plurality of projections on the pressure side of said piston.

7. In a push button assembly for operating a flush valve located at a remote point from the push button assembly and behind a wall, said push button assembly being supported upon the front wall surface and having a rearwardly extending body portion passing through the wall, a pair of fluid passages in said body portion extending to the rear of said body portion, a flexible tube connected to each of said fluid passages and to said flush valve, a valve cage in said body portion having fluid ports therein leading into said body passages, said valve cage having a valve seat therein and a valve member normally closed upon said valve seat, spring means in said valve cage for holding said valve member on its seat, said valve member also being held on its seat by fluid pressure in one of said flexible tubes, a plunger in said body portion having one end in operative relation to said valve member for opening the same from its seat, a push button on the front of said assembly in operative relation to the other end of said plunger for actuating the same, spring means for normally biasing said push button and said plunger away from said valve member, sealing means between said valve cage and said body fluid passages, other sealing means around said plunger, a bushing secured to the front end of said body portion for clamping said last sealing means and said valve cage in position in said body portion, a mounting flange supported on the front end of said body portion and against said wall, a cover plate for said mounting flange and for supporting said push button in position on the end of said plunger, and cooperating locking means for locking said cover plate to said mounting flange.

Claims (7)

1. In a flush valve operating arrangement, an actuating unit mounted on said flush valve, a remotely located manually operated unit, a pair of flexible tubes extending between said flush valve unit and said remote operated unit, one of said flexible tubes being under supply line pressure, means in said remote operated unit for connecting the supply line pressure from the said one tube to the other tube, said actuating unit including a housing, an inlet connected to said other of said flexible tubes, and a piston responsive to said supply line pressure for actuating said flush valve, means in said actuating unit for reducing the line pressure in said other tube after said remote operated unit means is restored and said flush valve has been operated including an opening in said piston, and spacing means on said piston arranged between said housing and the pressure side of said piston for normally spacing said piston from said housing to maintain constant communication between said opening and said other of said flexible tubes, to permit drainage of said other flexible tube and said housing through said piston opening and into the outlet of said flush valve.

2. In a flush valve operating arrangement, an actuating unit mounted on said flush valve, a manually operated unit located at a remote point from said flush valve, a pair of flexible tubes extending between said flush valve and said remote operated unit, one of said flexible tubes being normally at zero supply line pressure and connecting said remote operated unit and said actuating unit, the other of said flexible tubes being normally at supply line pressure and connecting said remote operated unit with the inlet supply side of said flush valve, means in said remote operated unit for admitting the supply line pressure from said other tube into the first tube, means in said actuating unit responsive to said said supply line pressure in said first tube for operating said flush valve, and means in said actuating unit for bleeding off the supply line pressure in said first flexible tube after said remote operated unit has been restored and said flush valve has been operated, means in said flush valve for closing it upon its seat after having been operated regardless of the continued operation of said remote operated unit, the bleeding off of the supply line pressure being reduced to a dribble into said flush valve outlet from said supply line.

3. In a flush valve operating arrangement for a flush valve located behind a wall, an actuating unit supported on said flush valve, a remote manually operated unit mounted on the front of the wall, a first flexible tube extending between said manually operated unit and said actuating unit, a second flexible tube extending between said manually operated unit and said flush valve, said second flexible tube being normally under zero line pressure, valve means in said remote manually operated unit operable for admitting the supply line pressure from said second flexible tube into said first flexible tube, and piston means iN said actuating unit responsive to said supply line pressure being admitted into said first flexible tube for causing the operation of said flush valve, means in said piston for reducing the supply line pressure after said remote operating unit has been released and said piston restored, said piston being continually held operated in case said remote operating unit is not released, said reduced line pressure being thereby expelled through said piston means into said flush valve outlet, and means in said flush valve for closing its valve seat in case the piston is held operated by said remote operating unit.

4. The flush valve operating arrangement as set forth in claim 3 in which the piston in said actuating means is provided with an orifice for reducing the line pressure in said first flexible tube when said remote manually operated unit is restored.

5. The flush valve operating arrangement as set forth in claim 3 in which the remote manually operated unit consists of a push button adapted to open and close a valve member from its valve seat to establish communication between said flexible tubes.

6. The structure of claim 1 further characterized in that said spacing means includes a plurality of projections on the pressure side of said piston.

7. In a push button assembly for operating a flush valve located at a remote point from the push button assembly and behind a wall, said push button assembly being supported upon the front wall surface and having a rearwardly extending body portion passing through the wall, a pair of fluid passages in said body portion extending to the rear of said body portion, a flexible tube connected to each of said fluid passages and to said flush valve, a valve cage in said body portion having fluid ports therein leading into said body passages, said valve cage having a valve seat therein and a valve member normally closed upon said valve seat, spring means in said valve cage for holding said valve member on its seat, said valve member also being held on its seat by fluid pressure in one of said flexible tubes, a plunger in said body portion having one end in operative relation to said valve member for opening the same from its seat, a push button on the front of said assembly in operative relation to the other end of said plunger for actuating the same, spring means for normally biasing said push button and said plunger away from said valve member, sealing means between said valve cage and said body fluid passages, other sealing means around said plunger, a bushing secured to the front end of said body portion for clamping said last sealing means and said valve cage in position in said body portion, a mounting flange supported on the front end of said body portion and against said wall, a cover plate for said mounting flange and for supporting said push button in position on the end of said plunger, and cooperating locking means for locking said cover plate to said mounting flange.

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