Filter mechanism for diaphragm flush valve

• US 6,182,689 B1
• Filed: 07/14/1999
• Issued: 02/06/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sloan Valve Company
• Original Assignee: Sloan Valve Company
• Inventors: Lauer, John W., Hall, David C.
• Primary Examiner(s): RIVELL, JOHN A
• Application Number:
  US09/353,203
• Time in Patent Office: 573 Days
• Field of Search: 137/550, 251/40
• US Class Current: 137/550
• CPC Class Codes: E03D 3/06 with diaphragm valve and pressure chamber for retarding the valve-closing movement
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/3855 the discharge being effected through the diaphragm and being blockable by a mechanically-actuated member making contact with the diaphragm
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8122 Planar strainer normal to flow path

Abstract

A diaphragm assembly for use in a diaphragm type toilet room flush valve includes a diaphragm formed of a flexible material and adapted to separate an inlet and outlet of the flush valve. There is a bypass orifice in the diaphragm. A filter assembly is positioned on the flush valve inlet side of the diaphragm and upstream from the bypass orifice. The filter assembly includes a peripherally extending screen spaced from the underside of the diaphragm with the screen being secured to the diaphragm assembly about an inner peripheral portion thereof.

Claims

1. A diaphragm assembly for use in a diaphragm type toilet room flush valve including a diaphragm formed of a flexible material and adapted to separate an inlet and outlet of a flush valve, a bypass orifice in said diaphragm, a filter assembly positioned on the flush valve inlet side of said diaphragm and upstream from said bypass orifice, said filter assembly including a peripherally extending screen spaced from an underside of said diaphragm, said screen being secured in said diaphragm assembly about an inner peripheral portion of said screen.

2. The diaphragm assembly of claim 1 wherein said filter assembly extends circumferentially about the underside of said diaphragm and forms a water chamber therewith, said bypass orifice communicating with said water chamber.

3. The diaphragm assembly of claim 1 wherein said filter assembly has an outer peripheral portion generally coextensive with said diaphragm.

4. The diaphragm assembly of claim 1 wherein said filter assembly includes a screen element and a supporting carrier, said screen element extending circumferentially about the underside of the diaphragm.

5. The diaphragm assembly of claim 4 wherein said supporting carrier extends peripherally about the exterior of the said screen element and peripherally about the interior of the said screen element.

6. The diaphragm assembly of claim 5 wherein the peripheral interior of said supporting carrier is mounted to said diaphragm assembly.

7. The diaphragm assembly of claim 6 wherein the peripheral exterior of said supporting carrier is positioned directly adjacent said diaphragm when said diaphragm assembly is installed in a toilet room flush valve.

8. The diaphragm assembly of claim 1 wherein the openings in said screen are smaller than the bypass orifice.

9. A flush valve including a body having an inlet and an outlet, a passage connecting the inlet and outlet, a valve seat in said passage, a diaphragm positioned to control the flow of water through said passage and to close upon said seat, a bypass orifice mounted in said diaphragm, a filter assembly positioned on the inlet side of said diaphragm and upstream from said bypass orifice, said filter assembly including a peripherally extending screen spaced from an underside of said diaphragm, said filter assembly being secured to said diaphragm about an inner peripheral portion thereof and being secured to said flush valve body about an outer peripheral portion thereof.

10. The flush valve of claim 9 wherein said screen extends circumferentially about the underside of said diaphragm and forms a water chamber therewith, said bypass orifice being in communication with said water chamber.

11. The flush valve of claim 10 wherein said filter assembly includes a screen element and a supporting carrier, said supporting carrier being peripherally in contact with, at an inner portion thereof, to said diaphragm, with said supporting carrier being in contact with, at an outer peripheral portion thereof, to said flush valve body.