US939123A - Flushing apparatus. - Google Patents

Description

T. W. CHRISTY. l

FLUSHING APPARATUS. APPLIUATION FILED oo'T. 2a, 190s.

Y Patented Nov. 2, 1909.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

mvmx Wague Patented Nov. 2, 1909.l

8 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

.lllll T. W. CHRISTY.

FLUSHING APPARATUS.

APPLIUATION FILED 00T. 2a, 190B.

T. W. GHRISTY. FLUSHING APARATUS. APPLIUATION FILED 00T. 2s, 190s.

Patented Nov. 2, 1909.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

juve/afar:

THOMAS W. CHRISTY, 0F NEW YORK, N. Y.

FLUSI-IING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented N ov. 2, 1909.

Application led. October 28, 1908. Serial No. 459,889.

The invention consists in an electric Hush-- ing apparatus, and in each and all of certain novel combinations of parts embodied therein, as hereinafter described and claimed.

'if he leading objects of the invention are to adapt such flush valves to be operated or controlled by electricity, and thus to provide for instantaneously starting the flush by pushing a button, or automatically without the strain on the seat-hinges of closets which necessitates heavy and expensive fittings in connection with some forms of automatic flushing apparatus, or periodically under like electric control.

Other objects will be set forth in the general description which follows.

'ihree sheets of drawings accompany this specification as parts thereof.

Figures 1 and 2 represent vertical sections in planes at right angles to each other through one and the same flush tank; Fig. 2 showing diagrannnatically one species of the electric connections; Fig. 3 is a top view on a larger scale of the electric catch of the flushing apparatus shown in Figs. 1 and 2, with its top plate removed; Figs. t and 5 represent vertical sections on the line A-B, Fig. 3, showing the moving parts in different positions with the aid of dotted lines in Fig. 5; Fig. 6 is a perspective View of one of the parts detached; Figs. 7, 8 and 9 are fragmentary views and Figs. 10 and 11 are diagrams illustrating additional species and modifications hereinafter described; and Figs. 12 and 13 are respectively sectional and perspective views showing certain details or accessories.A

yLike reference characters refer to like parts in all the figures.

In carrying this invention into effect, an ordinary flushing tank, c, Figs. 1 and 2, is provided in relation to its flush valve-seat, b, and flush valve, c, with a vertical valve stern, cl, the lower end of which carries the valve c and is guided by a centering spider', b, Fig. 1, within the valve-seat b, while its upper end is screw-threaded and provided with a regulating nut, c. Below said nut e the valve stem d is loosely embraced by the tubular stem, f, of a float, g, through which the lower end of said stem extends. The upper end of the stem is provided with a bifurcated extension, adapted to straddle the nut e. The float g is normally held down, as in Fig. 2 and in full lines in Fig. 1, in a deeply submerged position, but out of contact with the valve c, by a superjacent lever 71, having a fixedly supported horizontal pivot, z', Fig. 1. The lever 71. interacts with the upper end of the stem within the fork f, as in Fig. 2; projects beyond the same and terminates in an upwardly yielding trip, L, Fig. 1, and this trip interacts with the extremity of the catch arm, j, of an electro-magnetic catch, y', which is shown in detail by Figs. 3 to 6 inclusive. Said catch arm j is movable on a horizontal pivot, 7c, Figs. t and 5, but is normally rendered rigid to adapt it to interact with said trip h to hold the fioat g down as aforesaid. This is accomplished by the interaction of a pair of lugs, 1 and 2, projecting respectively from the armature, Z, of an electro-magnet, Z, Fig. 3, and from a swinging arm, m', which forms part of a rocking latch, m, shown detached by Fig. 6. The relative positions of the parts when the catch arm j is latched in its rigid position are shown in Fig. 4L; and their positions when the catch arm is unlatched, and swings upward, are represented by full and dotted lines in Fig. 5. The latch m is constructed with a pair of lips, 3 and t, Fig. 6, on its horizontal body portion to interact with the extremity of a rigid projection, 5, on the pivot end of the arm j. Then the arm is rigid the interaction is between said projection 5 and the lower lip 3, as in Figs. 3 and 1. Then the catch arm y" drops back by gravity, from the position in which it is shown in dotted lines in Fig. 5, its projection 5 interacts with the upper lip 4 to turn the latch m on its horizontal pivot, n n, and to turn the latch arm m from its dropped position, Fig. 5, to its effective position, Fig. t.

A pair of stop projections, 6 and 7, on the pivot end of the catch arm y" and on the latch m, respectively; interact with internal surfaces of an inclosing box, o, to limit the displacement of the movable parts; andsaid box is provided with attaching means, 8 and 9, Fig. 3, and with insulated electric terminals, 10 and 11, for the respective extremities of the electro-magnet Z. Said stop projection 6 contacts as an emergency stop wit-h the adjacent edge of au internal part of the box 0, shown at 6 inFigs. 3, 4E and 5, at the limit of the downward movement of the catch arm j. Said stop projection '7 contacts with the corresponding box surface l7'directly behind it at thelimit of the downward movement of the latch arm m, as shown in Fig. 5. Another stop projection 7 formed o-n said internal `part (3 of the box o, as shown in Figs. 3, L1 and 5, contacts with said latch yarm m', as inFig. 11, at the limit of the upward. movement of said latch arm. The karmature Z is normally heldin its effective position by a retracting spring, y), 'Fig.'3, and is moved to release the catch arm jwhen attracted by the pas- Vsage of the electric lcurrent through the magnet Z. The current through the magnet Z from a battery, g, Fig. 2, or a'pair vof line wires by way of wires, 13, 13 and 14, and said terminals, 10 and 11, may obviously' be controlled by a contact device, 7', F 8, operated automatically by the rcustomary weight-lifted seat, 7,.Fig. `7, of an automatic closet, or by an ordinary push button, s-s, Fig. 9, as hereinafter more particularly described.

vFor periodically operating the Hush valve by an automatic circuit breaker, the rtank a is provided, internally, with a vertically movable float, t, Fig. 2, adjustable as to height ona screw-"threaded stem, t, the lower end of which is guided by a step 15, attached to the bottom lining of thetank, while its upper end is guided by a hole'in the bottom of a Contact box, a, attached to 'the upper edge of the tank, and carries a contact disk, 16, which, when the float t' rises to the predetermined extent, presses against and temporarily connects a pair of broken connection contacts, 17 and 18, to which said wires 13 and 13 are respectively connected. The current from the battery g or line wires is thus caused to pass through said wires 13, 13 and lil, and through the magnet l, energizing the latter `and attracting the armature Z, which releases the catch arm j, ras above described with reference to Figs. 3 to 6 inclusive. The released catch arm j in turn frees the lever 71. The main float g is thus permitted to rise until it reaches the surface of the water or until its upward movement'is arrested by the interaction of the heel end of the lever z. with a stop screw, 19, Fig. 1. During this movement the upper end of the stemV turns the lever L on 4its pivote', and through the medium of the lever 1-regulat.ing nut e and stem alV lifts the valve c. The valve c is kept open during they flush by an eccentric weight,

fu, attachedto or integral with the heel end of the lever z and eccentrically pivoted therewithby said pivot z' to a bracket, fw, which is att-ached to the upper edge of the tank a, opposite the electric catch Vhen the heel end of the lever h contacts with the stop screw 19, as in dotted lines in Fig. 1, the center of gravityof the weight n is to the left of the pivot z' as viewed in that gure; and the weight, through the lever J1., nut c' and stem (l, sustains the weight of the valve c and therewith that of the valve stem and nut, by its inertia. Meanwhile, thefloat stem t', and contact disk 16 have dropped sov asto again break the electric connection, the armaturel has been retracted by its spring '29, and the catch arm j has dropped back by gravity to its normal position, Fig. 1, and is again rendered rigid by the interaction therewith of the latch m. As the level of the water falls, the float g descends therewith; while the eccentric weight 'u through the lever h, nut c and stem d, holds the valve c open, as in dotted lines in Fig. 1, until the Vfloat g comes down on the valve. The weight of the float g and its stem added to that of the valve c, valve stem l and nut e, acting-through said nut e, then brings the lever h back against a stop screw, 20, Fig. 1, with its trip hbeneath the catch arm j which determines its normal position, represented by full lines in thatfigure. In that movement thecenter of Lgravity of the eccentric weight o passes to the right of the pivot z', as viewed in Fig. 1, and the weight then tends to quickly complete such return movement of the lever. Immediately previous to the action of said stop screw 20, the trip l1. passes the catch arm j, preparatory to interacting therewith again, to Ahold the float g down until it is again electrically released. lThe valve c remains closed by its weight and that of the valve stem (Z and nut c until it is again lifted by the electrically released fioat g. An ordinary overflow communicating with thevalve seat b beneath they valve c. is represented at a@ in Fig. 1.

In the modification represented by Figs. 7 and 8, the contact device 1 is preferably located within an adjacent wall, y, behind the seat r, except a protruding trip, 21, arranged toi interact with the weight carrying arm,'22, Fig. 7, of the seat, which allows the seat to be lowered without effect on the contact device, and causes the same to operate the contact device automatically when the seat is relevated by the weight, Q3, Fig. 7. The trip 21 is carried by a` lever, 24, Fig. 8, which is movable on ahorizontal brass post, 25, and Aalso `carries one of the contacts, 17 and 18; the vother of-which (1S) is likewise movable on a horizontal brass post, 26, in the form of a pendant, soas'to yield when the contact is closed, to prevent strain; the1 scenes wires 13-13 leading from one pole of the battery g to one of the terminals 10V and 11 Y of the electric catch y', being extended by way of said contacts 1T and 1S, Fig. S.

In the modification represented by Fig. 9, the movable contact 16 is simply attached to or carried by the movable member s of a push button; the normally separated or broken connection contacts 1T and 18 are attached to or supported within the pushbutton housing s, and the wires 13-13 leading from one pole of the battery Q are suitably extended by way of these contacts 17 and 1S to one of the terminals 10 and 11 of the electric catch By simply changing the wiring represented diagrammatically in Fig. 2 the automatic or float controlled circuit breaker z-a, shown in that ligure, may be and preferably is used .in connection with either said seatoperated contact device 71, Figs. 7 and S, or said push-button device 8 8', Fig. 9, as a supplemental circuit breaker, to prevent wasting the battery or wearing the electric catch and producing noise by prematurely or unnecessarily operating the tri-p lever 21--2fl, or the push button s. In this case the contact device u of said circuit breaker Fig. 2, and either of those represented by said Figs. 7 and 8, or Fig. 9 are electrically connected with the electric catch y' in one and the same circuit, which must consequently be closed at both of the two points to operate the catch.

Fig.' 10 represents diagrammatically a circuit including said seat operated contact d evice fr, with the contact device u of said ioatcontrolled circuit breaker. As here shown the wire 13, 13, 13, connecting one pole of the battery y with one pole of the electromagnet of the catch may consist of three sections with said contact devices u and '1" interposed between the sections 13 and 13 and the sections 13 and 13 respectively; while the wire 14: from the other pole of the battery g may simply connect the battery and catch magnet.

Fig. 11 represents diagrammatically a like circuit, including said push-button device 8 8 with said contact device u of the tloatcontrolled circuit breaker; the two contact devices being interposed between successive sections 12E-13 and 13-13 of the wire connecting one pole of the battery g with one pole ot' the electromagnet of the catch l'; while the wire 14 from the other pole of the battery simply connects the battery and catch-magnet.

It will be understood that with either of the arrangements represented by Figs. 10 and 11, the automatic circuit breaker operates simply to close the circuit when the tank is full and to break the circuit when the flush is started, but cannot operate to start the flush until the seat controlled device or the push button is operated and in unison therewith. Also that the flush cannot be started by said seat-controlled device nor by the push button unless and until the circuit is also closed by said float-controlled device.

Then the main parts of the improved iiushing apparatus as above described with reference to Figs. 1 to (3 inclusive, are in what may be termed their set positions, represented by full lines in Fig. 1, and by Figs. 2, 8 and 4l, before a flushing action, the opposing forces are the buoyancy of the main float, g, and the resistance of the armature, Z to the downward movement of the latch arm m. Upon the release of said latch arm m by the movement of the armature, said main ioat g lifts the lever, It, which in turn carries up the catch arm y" until the latter slips ott the trip it ot' said lever and drops back to its normal position, Fig. t. In this downward movement ot the catch arm j, the rear projection, 5, of said catch arm, interacting` with the lip, f1, of the catch, m, raises the latch arm, m to its normal position and permits the armature proj ection 1 to pass beneath the latch arm pro` jection 2. During the succeeding fall of the y'ater in the tank, and the descent of the main ioat g therewith, the valve is kept wide open as long as may be required by the inertia. of the eccentric weight, c, in its position represented by dotted lines in Fig. 1. then said main float in its descent reaches the open valve c, the weight of the two with that of their stems and the regulating'nut, e, overcomes such inertia of the weight f2, and the valve is quickly closed; the trip /L having meanwhile interlocked afresh with the arm j of the electric catch. rlhe water then rises, and acting through said main float g, and its stem f, and the lever IL, presses the trip 7L against the rigid catch arm I7", when the flushing device is again $6 Set.

The heads of the stop screws, 19 and 20, are preferably provided with cushions, 27, Fig. 12, and la cushioning washer, 28, Fig. 13, is interposed between the lever /L and the nut c, to prevent noise.

The shapes and proportions of the various mechanical and electrical devices may 0bviously vary without materially affecting the mode of operation hereinbefore described, and other like modifications will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art.

Having thus described said improvement, I gclaim as my invention and desire to patent under this specication Y 1. An electric flushing apparatus having, in combination, an electro-magnetic catch including an armature, a pivoted latch normally interlocked with said armature, a pivoted catch arm rendered rigid by the interaction of said armature and latch, .a lever terminating in a .trip Which normally interlocks With said arm, a normally submerged float interacting with said lever, a flush valve controlled by said float, means for electrically operating said catch to release said float, and means for transmitting motion from the released float to said valve to Open the latter.

2. The combination, in a iushing apparatus, of a vertically movable flush valve, a superjacent float, means for transmitting motion from said float to open said valve, means for keeping said float normally submerged and for releasing the same including an electro-magnetic catch having its normally retracted armature and an adjacent pivotedlatch provided with normally interlocked projections, a catch arm movable on ahorizontal axis and normally interlocked With said latch, a lever having a horizontal pivot and a trip normally interlocked with said catch arm, a normally Open electric circuit, and means for closing the same through Lthe magnet of said catch to Operate said armature and release said loat.

3. The combination, in a flushing apparatus, of a vertically movable ilush valve, a .superjacent i'loat, means for transmitting motion from .said float to open said valve, means for keeping saidi'loat normally submerged and for releasing the. same including an electro-magnetic catch including an armature, a pivoted latch normally interlocked With said armature, a catch arm movablek on a horizontal axis and rendered rigid by the interaction Ofsaid armature .and latch, a lever having a horizontal pivot and a trip normally interlocked `with said catch arm, a normally Open electric circuit, and means for periodically closin0` said circuit through the magnet of said catch to operate said armature and release said iioat; such circuit-closing means including a vertically movable float having a stem movable therewith and provided with a contact disk, and brokenconnection contacts arranged to interact with said disk.

t. The combination, in a flushing apparatus, of a vertically movable iiush valve,`

having a vertical stemV provided With a regu-` lating nut, a lever movable On a iXed horizontal pivot to interact with said nut for opening the valve and provided With an eccentric Weight, a normally submerged float having a stem arranged to interact With said lever, and means for `rendering said lever normally locked to hold-the float down and for releasing the same; said Weight operating through said lever, said nut and the valve stem to hold the valve Open during each flushing Operation.

5. The combination, in a flushing apparatus, of a vertically movable flush valve having a vertical stem provided With a regulatng nut, a lever movable on a xed horizontal pivot tO intersect with said nut for opening the valve and provided With an eccentric Weight, a normally submerged float having a stem arranged to interact With said lever, and means for rendering said lever normally locked to hold the float down and for releasing the same; said Weight being constructed and arranged to operate through said lever and said stem of the float to assist in restoring the parts to normal condition after each flushing Operation, substantially as hereinbefore specified.

THOMAS lV. CHRISTY. lVitnesses CHAs. A. JOHNSON, Louis V. JOHNSON.

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