Safety device for toilet flush valve

Abstract

The invention relates to a safety device for a toilet flush valve, which can be installed in a cistern (2) and comprises: a flush valve (3) with a shut-off valve (30) and actuating push-button mechanism (31); a filling valve (4) with a float (41) which, after flushing, descends with the water level and opens the filling valve (4) and ascends to a predetermined level to close the filling valve (4); a connecting means (11) that is easily detachable and keeps the float (41) in the position that closes the filling valve (4), even in the event of water loss and decreasing water level; and a mechanism (10, 10') which, when the user presses the push-button (31), causes the connecting means (11) to separate from the float (41), causing the float to descend to the level of the water and the filling valve (4) to open.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Safety device for toilet flush valve

[0003] OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The invention, as expressed in the title of this specification, relates to a safety device for a toilet flush valve, providing advantages and features, which are described in detail below.

[0005] The object of the present invention lies in a safety device which, applicable for installation in the toilet cistern flushing system, between the flush valve and the filling valve, has the purpose of avoiding any eventual loss of water, normally imperceptible, which the flush valve may present due to misalignments or degradation of the sealing rubber, avoiding unnecessary water consumption as well as the formation of lime or metal incrustations in the toilet bowl, in addition to extending the useful life of the cistern filling valve, also known as a buoy or float, said device being formed, essentially, from a mechanism with a connecting element which, after pressing the flush, closes the filling valve if there is a loss of water once the cistern has been refilled.

[0006] FIELD OF APPLICATION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The field of application of the present invention falls within the plumbing sector, focusing particularly on the area of ​​the industry dedicated to the manufacture of toilet flushing systems.

[0008] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0009] As is well known, toilet flushing systems tend to experience constant water leaks sooner or later, usually due to a faulty flush valve, a loose seal, or a deteriorating rubber seal. This means the fill valve continues to let water into the cistern to compensate for the loss. In most cases, these water leaks are imperceptible to the human eye, so there's usually no immediate solution. However, the lost liters can be significant, as it can take days, weeks, or even months for the user to notice and repair the valve.

[0010] Another problem caused by this imperceptible water loss is the formation of limescale or metal deposits that come with the water and aesthetically disfigure the ceramic surface of the toilet bowl, making them difficult to remove.

[0011] Finally, water loss can cause noises that, although imperceptible during the day, can be disruptive to sleep at night when the house is quiet.

[0012] The objective of the present invention is to provide a means to avoid said problem by installing a simple mechanism linked to the discharge valve and the filling valve of the cistern, thus achieving, in a preventive manner, that in the event of said loss of water occurring, this does not pose a problem of consumption, stains on the dishes or unwanted noises, at least as long as a replacement or repair of the discharge valve is not necessary, thus extending the useful life of the latter and at the same time of the filling valve, since the latter will not be in constant movement.

[0013] On the other hand, and as a reference to the current state of the art, it should be noted that, at least on the part of the applicant, the existence of any other safety device for toilet flush valve, or any other invention of similar application, that presents technical, structural and constitutive characteristics equal to or similar to those claimed here, is unknown.

[0014] EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The safety device for toilet flush valve proposed by the invention is configured as an ideal solution to the objectives previously stated, the characterizing details that make it possible and distinguish it being conveniently included in the final claims that accompany this description.

[0016] Specifically, what the invention proposes, as indicated above, is a safety device, applicable for installation in the toilet cistern, between the flush valve and the filling valve, in order to avoid any eventual loss of water, normally imperceptible, that the flush valve may present due to misalignments or degradation of the sealing rubber, avoiding unnecessary water consumption as well as the formation of lime or metal incrustations in the toilet bowl, in addition to extending the useful life of the cistern filling valve, for which said device is formed by a mechanism and a connecting element that link the flush button with the filling valve in such a way that, after pressing the flush button and once the cistern has been refilled, the filling valve remains closed even if there is a loss of water and the level of the water is dropping.

[0017] This does not render the toilet unusable, but it does affect its operation until the flush valve is repaired due to a malfunction.

[0018] The device is designed to be installed in a toilet cistern of the type that, as is usually the case, has two independent mechanisms, but which work in conjunction with each other.

[0019] - One such mechanism is a flush valve, which is usually manually operated using a push button.

[0020] - And the other mechanism is the filling valve, which, after flushing, is responsible for filling the cistern again to the appropriate level, thanks to a buoy or float, which, when floating, when the water level inside the cistern rises, also rises and is responsible for closing the water inlet valve, which is why it is also known simply as a buoy or float.

[0021] Well, the safety device object of the invention, in charge of solving the common water leaks of said type of toilet cisterns, essentially comprises a mechanism with an easily detachable connection means at its end, preferably a magnet, which links the flush button with the float or buoy of the filling valve, to which it is connected at its upper part by means of said magnet and holds it, keeping it in the raised position of the closed filling valve.

[0022] Thus, when the push button is pressed, at the same time as the discharge valve is opened and the cistern is emptied in a conventional manner, the mechanism with the aforementioned detachable connection means is also activated, causing it to separate from the buoy or float, in such a way that said buoy or float goes down to the bottom of the cistern and the passage of water is opened, so that the buoy rises with the water level, working the filling valve in a conventional manner until the cistern is filled.

[0023] But, with the difference that, once the cistern is full, the buoy or float, which will have risen with the water level to the top of the cistern, is reattached to the connecting means, preferably a magnet, at the end of the mechanism, keeping the buoy or float in said raised position and, therefore, with the filling valve closed.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment, the described mechanism of the device that connects the cistern push button to the filling valve float is a cable incorporated such that, when the cistern flush button is actuated, it pulls the float downwards, causing it to separate from the detachable connecting means.

[0025] And, in an alternative embodiment, the mechanism of the device is a lever, preferably a lever formed by a rod that is articulated, on one side to the lower end of the rod that connects the flush button of the cistern, which is activated by downward pressure, and on the other to the upper part of the filling valve float.

[0026] This means that if the flush valve leaks water and water leaks through the toilet, since the float is held in the raised position by the safety device, the fill valve is not activated and the lost water is not refilled.

[0027] This way, if there is a leak, the cistern will empty slowly, since if the toilet is not used and therefore no one presses the flush button, the magnet holds the buoy or float and prevents water from entering the cistern.

[0028] This way, the user can verify that the cistern is leaking water because it's empty. And when they press the flush button, the cistern will refill normally, as it will separate from the detachable connection system.

[0029] Optionally, between the easily removable connecting means, such as a magnet, and the lever, there is a mechanism to regulate the height of the buoy that involves closing the filling valve.

[0030] In toilets with a small leak and constant use, the device's operation will go unnoticed. However, in toilets that are used more sporadically, the system saves significant amounts of water, as the fill valve will no longer be constantly refilling the cistern.

[0031] DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] To complement the description being made and in order to help better understand the characteristics of the invention, a drawing is attached to this specification, as an integral part thereof, in which the following has been represented for illustrative and non-limiting purposes:

[0033] Figure 1 shows a schematic front elevation and section view of a toilet cistern with the safety device for toilet flush valve object of the invention incorporated, in an example thereof where the mechanism is a cable, showing what it comprises and the arrangement of the different elements between the flush valve and the filling valve; and Figure 2 shows a schematic front elevation and section view, similar to the previous one, in this case of a toilet cistern with another example of the safety device, according to the invention, incorporated, in this case an example in which the mechanism is a lever. PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0034] In view of the described figure, and in accordance with the numbering adopted therein, one can observe two non-limiting embodiment examples of the safety device for toilet flush valve of the invention, which comprises what is described in detail below.

[0035] Thus, as can be seen in said figures, the device (1) of the invention is applicable for installation in a toilet cistern (2), which comprises two independent mechanisms, which operate in a combined manner, consisting of:

[0036] - a flush valve (3) comprising a rubber shut-off valve (30) which, in the rest position, closes the discharge water outlet hole (20) from the lower part of the cistern (2) towards the toilet bowl, and a push-button actuation mechanism (31) which causes the rubber shut-off valve (30) to open; and

[0037] - a filling valve (4), associated with a water inlet conduit (40) and a buoy (41) or float which, after discharge, goes down with the water level (a) and opens the filling valve (4), causing the cistern (2) to fill and rise until it reaches the predetermined level, at which point it is responsible for closing the filling valve (4); said device (1) comprising a mechanism (10, 10') that

[0038] • maintains, by means of an easily detachable means of connection (11), the buoy (41) in the position that closes the filling valve (4) even if there is a loss of water and the water level is going down, and

[0039] • causes, when the user presses the button (31), that said connecting means (11) separates from the buoy (41) and the latter goes down to the water level and the filling valve (4) opens in such a way that when the buoy (41) rises with the filling of the cistern (2) to the position that closes the filling valve (4), the connecting means (11) again keeps the buoy (41) in the position that closes the filling valve (4). Preferably, the mechanism of the device that is joined to the buoy (41) and to the push button (31) and when this is activated separates the joining means (11) that keeps the buoy (41) in the closed position, is a cable (10) that, as can be seen in figure 1, is fixed to the buoy (41) so that it stretches it downwards at the moment in which the cistern is discharged, causing the joining means (11) to be easily detached.

[0040] And, in another embodiment option, the mechanism of the device that separates the joining means (11) when the button (31) is pressed is a lever (10'), specifically a lever (10') defined by a first rod, preferably made of plastic material, which is hingedly connected to the lower end of a second rod (32) which, in turn, connects the button (31), which is actuated by downward pressure, with the body of the discharge valve (3) which, in turn, comprises respective third and fourth rods (33, 34) articulated and actuated upwards to open the rubber closing valve (30).

[0041] For its part, preferably, the joining means (11) that can be easily detached from the device (1) that fixes the buoy (41) by itself when it rises to the raised position is a magnet that is joined to a small ferrometallic piece (12) provided for this purpose in the upper part of said buoy (41).

[0042] Furthermore, preferably, between the easily detachable connecting means (11) and the mechanism (10, 10') a means (not shown) is provided for regulating the height of the buoy (41) which involves closing the filling valve (4).

[0043] Having sufficiently described the nature of the present invention, as well as the manner of putting it into practice, it is not considered necessary to make its explanation more extensive so that any expert in the field understands its scope and the advantages derived from it.

Claims

CLAIMS 1 Safety device for toilet flush valve, applicable for installation in a cistern (2) comprising a flush valve (3) with shut-off valve (30) and push-button actuation mechanism (31), and a filling valve (4) with float (41) which, after flushing, goes down with the water level and opens the filling valve (4), and rises to a predetermined level, at which it is responsible for closing the filling valve (4), is characterized by comprising • an easily detachable means of connection (11) that keeps the float (41) in the position that closes the filling valve (4) even if there is a loss of water and the water level is going down, and • a mechanism (10, 10') that, when the user presses the button (31), causes said connecting means (11) to separate from the buoy (41) and the latter to lower to the water level and the filling valve (4) to open. 2.- Safety device for toilet flush valve, according to claim 1, characterized in that the mechanism (10, 10') is a cable (10) that pulls the float (41) downwards at the moment the cistern is flushed, causing the release of the connecting means (11) that can be easily detached. 3.- Safety device for toilet flush valve, according to claim 1, characterized in that the mechanism (10, 10') is a lever (10') that pushes the float (41) downwards at the moment the cistern is flushed, causing the release of the connecting means (11) that can be easily detached.

4. Safety device for a toilet flush valve, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the easily detachable connecting means (11) that attaches the float (41) by itself when it rises to the raised position is a magnet; and because the float (41) is provided with a small ferrometallic piece (12) in the upper part thereof. 5.- Safety device for toilet flush valve, any of the previous claims, characterized in that it enters the connecting means (11) easily detachable and the mechanism (10, 10'), comprises a means to regulate the height of the buoy (41) which involves closing the filling valve (4).

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