Automatic flushing and seat raising arrangements for toilets

• US 6,618,864 B2
• Filed: 04/06/2001
• Issued: 09/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rubbermaid Commercial Products LLC (Newell Brands Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bennie N. Veal
• Inventors: Veal, Bennie N
• Primary Examiner(s): Fetsuga, Robert M.
• Application Number:
  US09/827,343
• Publication Number:
  US 20020029412A1
• Time in Patent Office: 893 Days
• Field of Search: 431/3, 440/6, 4DI/G 3, 424/9, 425/0, 424/61
• US Class Current: 4/406
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 13/10 Devices for raising and lowering, e.g. tilting or lifting mechanismsthereby controlling flushing valves E03D5/04; Collapsible or rotating seats or covers
• CPC Class Codes: E03D 5/105 touchless, e.g. using sensors

Abstract

Automatic flushing, lid raising and seat raising arrangements for toilets include a tank top having optical sensors integral therewith so that standard flush tanks and tops may be used with only the tops being slightly altered to accommodate the optical sensors. The flushing arrangement is readily mountable on standard overflow pipes and provides automatic flushing while also allowing manual flushing. The lid and seat raising and lowering actuators are arranged in a single unit readily attachable to a standard toilet bowl using substantially standard lids and seats.

Claims

1. An automatic flush actuator adapted to be mounted on an existing overflow pipe in a flush tank of a toilet, wherein the tank includes an outlet normally closed by a valve and a manual flush device for opening the valve, the automatic flush actuator comprising:

an operator adapted to be mounted on the existing overflow pipe and adapted to be coupled to the valve for allowing the valve to remain closed when in a first mode and for opening the valve when in a second mode the operator comprising a lever pivoted adjacent to the overflow pipe and connected to both the manual flush device and valve by a flexible member;

a driver coupled with the operator for causing the operator to move form the first mode to the second mode, and

a bypass connection adapted to couple the operator to the manual flush device while bypassing the driver for shifting the operator from the first mode to the second mode manually.

2. The automatic flush actuator of claim 1 wherein the flexible member is comprised of a plurality of stop elements whereby lengths of the flexible member between the lever and valve and between the lever and manual flush device are adjustable.

3. The automatic flush actuator of claim 1 wherein the driver comprises a rod which engages one end to the lever to pivot the lever from the first mode to the second mode.

4. The automatic flush actuator of claim 3 wherein the rod is a cam follower advanced by a rotary cam, the cam being drives by an electric motor powered by batteries.

5. The automatic flush actuator of claim 3 wherein the rod is driven by a linear actuator.

6. The automatic flush actuator of claim 5 wherein the linear actuator is an electrically powered solenoid.

7. The automatic flush actuator of claim 1 further including a coupling for mounting the operator on the overflow pipe.

8. The automatic flush actuator of claim 7 wherein the coupling is attached to a housing mounting the operator and wherein the coupling fits around the existing overflow pipe.

9. The automatic flush actuator of claim 1 wherein the motor is coupled to the operator through a gear which drives a cam that urges a plunger against the lever.

10. An automatic flush actuator adapted to be mounted on an overflow pipe in a flush tank of a toilet which is original equipment or an existing installation, wherein the tank includes an outlet normally closed by a flapper valve, the automatic flush actuator comprising:

a housing having a coupling for mounting the housing on the overflow pipe;

an operator mounted on the housing and adapted to be coupled to the valve with a first flexible member for allowing the flapper valve to remain closed when in a first mode and for opening the flapper valve when in a second mode;

a motor mounted with the housing and coupled to the operator through a cam connected to a plunger by a first lost-motion connection for causing the operator to cycle from the first mode to the second mode and back to the first mode, and

a second lost-motion connection coupling the operator to the manual flush device for shifting the operator from the first mode to the second mode manually without energizing the motor.

11. An automatic flush actuator according to claim 10 wherein the first lost-motion connection comprises:

a cam driven by the motor to cycle through two positions corresponding to the first and second modes of the operator, wherein the first lost-motion connection further includes a coupling between the cam and operator, the coupling having a positive connection with the operator when the cam is cycling through the two positions and being decoupled from the cam when the operator is in the first mode.

12. An automatic flush actuator according to claim 11 wherein the coupling of the first lost-motion connection is a cam follower which rests on the operator and always allows the operator to move from the first mode to the second mode when pressing the manual flush device.

13. An automatic flush actuator according to claim 12 wherein the operator is a lever pivoted on the housing and having a bias toward the first mode.

14. An automatic flush actuator according to claim 10 further including a power source connected to the motor by a power line wherein the power source is adapted to be positioned outside of the flush tank.

15. The automatic flush actuator of claim 14 further including a sensor arrangement for sensing the presence of a person in proximity with the toilet to set an activator circuit which includes a tripper circuit connected to the power supply to deliver electric current to the motor when the person moves away from the toilet so as to cause the toilet to flush by energizing the motor.

16. The automatic flush actuator of claim 10 wherein the coupling fits around the overflow tube to mount the housing on the existing overflow pipe.

17. The automatic flush actuator of claim 10 wherein the first flexible member is a chain comprised of links or balls.

18. An automatic flush actuator adapted to be mounted on an overflow pipe in a flush tank of a toilet which is original equipment or an existing installation, wherein the tank includes an outlet normally closed by a flapper valve, the automatic flush actuator comprising:

a housing having a coupling for mounting the housing on the overflow pipe;

an operator mounted on the housing and adapted to be coupled to the valve with a first flexible member for allowing the flapper valve to remain closed when in a first mode and for opening the flapper valve when in a second mode;

a motor mounted with the housing and coupled to the operator through a first lost-motion connection for causing the operator to cycle from the first mode to the second mode and back to the first mode, the first lost-motion connection comprising a cam driven by the motor to cycle through two positions corresponding to the first and second modes of the operator, wherein the first lost-motion connection further includes a coupling between the cam and operator, the coupling having a positive connection with the operator when the cam is cycling through the two positions and being decoupled from the cam when the operator is in the first mode, and

a second lost-motion connection coupling the operator to the manual flush device for shifting the operator from the first mode to the second mode manually without energizing the motor.