Siphon devices for flushing toilet cisterns are known and conventionally are of a type which having a single flush setting, whereby the siphoning action is vented when the toilet cistern is emptied of water, or a dual flush setting, whereby a device can be used to vent the siphoning action at a pre-determined point prior to the cistern being emptied of water. The disadvantage of these types of flush arrangements is that they use a large volume of water which, due to the present water shortage experienced in many countries in the world today, is a significant problem. Furthermore, many of the conventional dual flush arrangements require a user to actuate two different buttons or handles or perform two separate flush operations; one operation to actuate the flush and one operation to terminate the flush.

In order to overcome these problems, a system has previously been developed by the. applicant which is disclosed in W002/29169 and which allows selective venting of the siphon action at a user selected arbitrary point in the flush, thereby allowing a user to determine the volume of water used in the flush.

This system includes a venting aperture provided on the side of the siphon tube with valve means associated therewith. The valve means are mounted on a pivotal component which is connected to siphon inducing means via a spring and the valve means are movable between a closed position, wherein the venting aperture is closed and a siphon action can be initiated in the siphon tube, and an open position, wherein the venting aperture is open and a siphon action can be interrupted by allowing air to enter the siphon tube. User actuation of a flush handle causes the pivotal component to be moved to the closed position and actuates the siphon inducing means to actuate a toilet flush in the toilet cistern. On release of the toilet handle, the spring biases the valve means to the open position, thereby venting the siphon action of the flush via the venting aperture and terminating the flush.

A problem with the above described system is that it is difficult to design as a retrofit kit to attach to existing siphons, where the fastest, easiest, and cheapest water savings can be made.

It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide a flushing arrangement which is easier to actuate.

It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a flushing arrangement for use with a toilet siphon which is easier to assemble, less expensive to produce and which requires less space to be fitted in the toilet cistern.

It is a yet further aim of the present invention to provide a toilet siphon including a flushing arrangement which is easier to actuate, easier to assemble, less expensive to produce and which requires less space to be fitted in the toilet cistern.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a flushing arrangement for a toilet siphon, said toilet siphon having at least one venting aperture, said flushing arrangement including valve means for association with said venting aperture and user actuable control means for actuating a toilet flush in the toilet siphon in use, said valve means capable of being moved between a closed flushing position, wherein air is prevented from entering the siphon via said venting aperture, and an open position, wherein air can enter the siphon via said venting aperture and the flush is terminated, connection means provided between said user actuable control means and said valve means, such that actuation of said user actuable control means in use results in movement of said valve means from said open position to said closed position via said connection means, the connection means including resilient biasing means to aid biasing the user actuable control means from a flushing position to a non-flushing position and wherein further resilient biasing means are associated with the valve means for biasing the valve means from a closed flushing position to an open position, the resilient biasing means arranged such that as the biasing means of the connection means is placed under increased tension during the flush, the biasing means of the valve means is placed under increased compression.

The flushing arrangement of the present invention has the advantage that it reduces the time taken and force required to be placed on the user actuable control means by a user in order to initiate a flush for a required volume of flushing fluid. Thus, the present invention is user friendly for children, disabled, frail and/or elderly users.

Preferably the valve means is rotatably mounted on the toilet siphon between the open and closed positions and further preferably this rotation is about a substantially horizontal axis. This has the advantage of significantly reducing the height above or adjacent the siphon required for providing the valve means.

The valve means allows selective venting of the siphon action at a user selected arbitrary point in the toilet flush, thereby terminating the flush.

Preferably the valve means includes at least one closure member which is capable of moving between said open and closed positions with respect to the at least one aperture to open and close the same. The closure member is typically provided with sealing means to seal the venting aperture when in a closed position.

In one embodiment the closure member is integrally formed with or connected to an arm member or shaft and said arm member is movably mounted directly or indirectly on the siphon. Movement of the arm member, such as via rotation, causing movement of the closure member between said open and closed positions.

Preferably the arm member is rotated axially thereof and further preferably the arm member is provided transversally of support means and/or the siphon tube.

Preferably support means are provided on the siphon and the arm member is rotatably mounted on said support means.

The support means can be located on and secured to the siphon via securing means which can include any or any combination of friction fitting means, one or more screws, clips, nuts and bolts, adhesive, welding, VELCRO, ties, straps, inter-engaging members and/or the like. Alternatively, the support means can be integrally formed with the toilet siphon.

Preferably the support means has engagement or location means for allowing location or engaging the arm member with the support means. This engagement or location typically also allows movement of the arm member with respect to the support means during normal use.

The location means can include one or more recesses, channels, apertures and/or the like in or on which a portion or portions of the arm member are located when assembled.

The engagement means can include any or any combination of one or more clips, ties, straps and/or the like. In a preferred embodiment the engagement means includes a hinged clip which is maintained in an engaged position over the arm member by a screw or fixing device.

In one embodiment the arm member has two opposing ends and each end and/or a portion adjacent an end is located in said location means or engaged to said engagement means.

In one embodiment the support means is provided with a sleeve member protruding from a lower surface thereof, the sleeve member having a channel or aperture funning therethrough. The protruding sleeve typically protrudes from the base of the support means which can be in the form of a plate like membet or can be of substantially complementary shape to the part of the siphon tube on which it is to be located. In use the sleeve member can be located through the venting aperture and this acts as an alignment aid for aligning the support means with the siphon tube. The sleeve member can be typically rotated in the venting aperture to aid alignment. The alignment of the support means on the toilet siphon is important for allowing the means via which the user actuation means connects to the valve means to be in alignment and typically substantially perpendicular thereto.

The support means can include location means or engagement means suitable for allowing either left handed and/or right handed user actuatable control means to be used therewith. Thus, the location means and/or engagement means can be provided adjacent a left and/or fight hand side of the support means and the user selects either left or right hand side means depending on whether they requit-e a tight or left handed flushing arrangement.

Preferably one end of the arm member or shaft communicates directly or indirectly with the usef actuable contfol means.

Preferably the connection means is provided between the arm member and the user actuable control means to allow a force to be conveyed from the user actuable control means on actuation by a user to the arm member, the force resulting in movement of the arm member and thus the valve means between said open and closed positions.

The connection means can include any material which allows a force to be transmitted therealong between the user actuation means and the valve arrangement, such as wire, string, cable and/or the like.

Preferably the biasing means in the connection means is in the form of a spring, such as a helical spring.

In one embodiment the resilient biasing means associated with the valve means is in the form of a leaf spring, sprung metal or resilient plastic portion which protrudes outwardly from the arm member. The biasing means typically protrudes from the same side of the valve means on which the venting aperture is provided. On rotation of the arm member, the resilient biasing means is preventing from rotating due to it contact with the top surface of the support means which typically causes the biasing means to flex and at least one surface thereof (typically the upper surface) to be placed under compression. As the biasing means on the valve means is placed under increasing compression, the valve means is moved to a closed position.

On actuation of a flush, a user typically moves the user actuation means from a non-flushing or non-operational position to an operational or flushing position.

In an initial part of the flush actuation, the tension in the biasing means of the connection means is increased and the compression in the biasing means of the valve means remains substantially unchanged or increases insignificantly. In a latter part of the flush actuation, further increase in tension in the biasing means of the connection means results in an increase in the compression of the biasing means of the valve means.

The initial part of the flush is approximately the first two thirds of the flush process and the latter part of the flush is approximately the last third of the flush process. Thus, the resilient biasing means enables the valve means to be closed when the user actuation means are in the substantially the last third of travel, thereby reducing the time and force needed to maintain contact with the user actuation means to initiate a flush for a required volume of fluid.

More specifically, on actuation of the user actuable control means or lifting of the user actuable control means, if the siphon piston return spring is weak, the force applied to the connection means is typically greater than the biasing force provided by the resilient biasing means on the arm member, thereby allowing the arm member to be rotated and the closure member to be moved from an open position to a closed position with respect to the venting aperture. As such, a toilet flush is initiated and a siphon action is initiated in the siphon tube.

On release of the user actuation means, the force applied to the connection means is removed, thereby causing resilient biasing means on the arm member to move the arm member under the resilient bias, and thus the closure member, from a closed position to an open position, thereby terminating the flush as a result of venting the siphon action. With the closure member in an open position, the resilient biasing means on the arm member is typically a spaced distance apart from the support means or just resting on the support means in an unstressed state.

Preferably stop means are provided on the arm member to prevent or limit rotation of the arm member beyond a pre-determined point when being moved from the closed position to the open position. Preferably the position of the stop means can be adjusted so as to limit/adjust travel of the arm member, thereby restricting the rate or amount of air entry into the siphon which provides a delay in flush termination. This enables a larger volume of water to follow the last of the waste from the toilet pan, called the'trailing volume'. This is a useful feature in preventing drain line blockages in long, shallow or damaged drain lines or seldom used drain lines.

In one embodiment the resilient biasing means of the arm member is placed under a certain amount of compression or is flexed (i. e. contacts the surface of the support means) prior to expansion of the resilient biasing means in the connection means. The advantage of this is that since the amount of travel/expansion of the biasing means in the connection means determines the size of the components of the user actuable control means (i. e. a bobbin), a small degree of travel of the resilient biasing means in the connection means allows small dimensioned components/bobbin and compact assembly to be provided for the user actuable control means..

In one embodiment the connection means is connected to the valve means via a lever mechanism. Application of a force to the connection means via said user actuation means results in pivoting of the lever mechanism which in turn results in movement or rotation of the valve means or the arm member. The lever mechanism is provided so as to allow the minimum of force to be input by the user to the user actuation means to create a maximum force on the valve means or arm member.

Preferably the lever mechanism is in the form of a quadrant or wedge shaped member, the connection means connecting to the same adjacent an end thereof substantially opposite to the end on which the valve means contacts the member, such as the curved portion or end portion thereof.

Preferably the lever mechanism is mounted adjacent a free end of the arm member and the lever mechanism is freely rotatable with said free end.

The lever mechanism is typically provided on or about the axis of rotation of the arm member and is provided so that the force transmitted via the connection means is applied tangentially to the lever mechanism. This maintains the perpendicular distance between the direction of the force applied to the connection means and the axis of rotation of the arm member. This distance is substantially constant no matter what the direction of pull/force on the connection means is. Thus, the force applied to the connection means by the user actuation means is transmitted, in direct proportion, to the rotary force on the arm member. This is advantageous, particularly since the direction of pull in different cistern arrangements can vary between-15 degrees and +30 degrees to the horizontal, depending on the siphon height and flush handle/button height.

The user actuable control means can include a flush handle, flush button, chain and/or the like.

According to further independent aspects of the present invention there is provided a toilet siphon having a flushing arrangement.

According to a yet further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of using a flushing arrangement of a toilet siphon, said toilet siphon having at least one venting aperture and said flushing arrangement including valve means for association with said venting aperture, user actuable control means for actuating a toilet flush in the toilet siphon in use and connection means provided between said user actuable control means and said valve means, said method including the steps of a user actuating said actuable control means by moving the same from a non-flushing position to a flushing position, which results in movement of the valve means via said connection means between an open position, wherein air can enter the siphon via said venting aperture and the flush is terminated or non-operational, and a closed flushing position, wherein air is prevented from entering the siphon via said venting aperture, and wherein the connection means includes resilient biasing means for biasing the user actuable control means from the flushing position to a non- flushing position and further resilient biasing means are associated with the valve means for biasing the valve means from a closed position to an open position, the resilient biasing means arranged such that as the biasing means of the connection means is placed under increased tension during the flush, the biasing means of the valve means is placed under increased compression.

The valve arrangement of the present invention can be retrofitted to any type, shape or size of siphon tube or can be integrally formed therewith. The valve arrangement can be fitted on the top of a siphon tube, thereby allowing power drills and/or similar types of tools to be used to fit the same or on a side of a siphon tube.

Thus, the present invention provides alternative apparatus for allowing a user to selectively vent a toilet flush at an arbitrary selected point in the flush. The present invention has the significant advantage that it provides a single step operation whereby actuation of the user actuation means results in a toilet flush and release of the user actuation means terminates the flush, and does not require the user to undertake a second operation to terminate the flush. The valve arrangement provides a simple operating mechanism via which a user is able to vary the length of a toilet flush depending on their requirements.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein : Figure 1 is an exploded view of a valve arrangement and a toilet siphon in one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is an exploded view of the top of the toilet siphon and the underside surface of the support means ; and Figure 3 is a perspective view of the valve arrangement in figure 1 fitted onto the toilet siphon.

Referring to the figures, there is illustrated a toilet siphon 2 on which a valve arrangement 4 is provided for allowing selective venting of the siphon action at a user selected arbitrary point in the toilet flush. A toilet flush is actuated upon depression of user actuation means in the form of a toilet handle 5, as shown by arrow 7. However, the user actuation means could include any of a button, handle, chain and/or the like.

In this example, the toilet siphon 2 comprises a siphon tube 6 in the form of an inverted U shape having an inlet portion 8 and an outlet portion 10. Siphon inducing means (not shown) are provided in connection with the inlet portion 8 of the siphon tube to allow initiation of a toilet flush following depression of handle 5. The siphon inducing means includes a chamber that forms a passageway via which water can enter inlet portion 8. A piston (the rod 3 of which is shown in figure 3) is movably mounted in the chamber and a substantially flexible membrane is connected to the piston adjacent a lower end thereof and is of similar dimensions to the internal cross sectional dimensions of the chamber. An aperture is provided in the top of the chamber through which the piston is movably located.

In use, the piston is connected directly or indirectly to the toilet handle 5 (via connection 9 in figure 3), such that on depression of the handle, the piston is caused to move in an upwardly direction, thereby moving the flexible membrane in an upwardly direction in the chamber and forcing water contained in the toilet cistern above the flexible membrane up through the siphon inlet 8 and around the siphon tube to initiate the siphon action.

However, it will be appreciated that any type of siphon actuating means can be provided for use with the present invention.

In accordance with the present invention, a venting aperture 12 is provided in the top 14 of the siphon tube, although the venting aperture could be provided in any other suitable location to allow venting of the siphon action. Support means in the form of a valve support plate 16 is secured to the top 14 of the siphon tube via fastening screws for location through screw holes 18. A sleeve portion 20 projects from the base 22 of the valve support plate 16 and this sleeve portion is inserted through venting aperture 12 to allow easy location of the plate with the venting aperture. A channel 24 passes through sleeve portion 20 to allow ambient air above the valve support plate 16 to pass into the siphon tube.

Sleeve portion 20 has the advantage that it allows valve support plate 16 to be initially rotatable about the top of the siphon tube, thereby allowing a suitable position of the plate with respect to the tube to be obtained. This greedy increases the ease with which the valve arrangement can be fitted.

The valve support plate 16 has location means for the location of the valve arrangement 4 therewith. These location means are in the form of pairs of recesses 26,28 and 26', 28'formed in end arms 30,32 respectively on the top 34 of the support plate 16. Each pair of recesses allow an arm member 36 to be rotatably mounted therein. The recess pairs are provided on different sides of the plate 16 so that either a left handed flush handle or a tight handed flush handle can be fitted depending on the requirements of the user.

Arm member 36 forms part of valve arrangement 4 and is substantially elongated and cylindrical in shape, having one end 38 located in recess 28 or 28'and a portion 40 adjacent a second end 42 located in recess 26,26'. Closure means in the form of protruding arm portion 44 is provided on arm member 36 at a pre-determined length therealong, such that on rotation of arm member 36 about a substantially horizontal axis (or axially thereof), a seal 46 provided on an underside surface of arm portion 44 engages with the edges of valve support plate 16 defining venting aperture 12 and/or sleeve 20, thereby closing the venting aperture.

In order to secure arm member 36 in place in recesses 26,28, engagement means are provided in the form of hinged clips 48 provided on end arm 30 at opposing ends 50,52 thereof. Recesses 54, 54'are defined on surface 56 of clips 48 such that on pivoting clips 48 in an upwardly and inwardly direction about their hinges, recesses 54,54'engage a top portion of arm member 36 and are substantially in alignment with bottom recesses 26, 26'. Recesses 54,54', 26, 26'and 28, 28'are typically of complementary shape to the arm member but can be provided in any shape so as to allow free rotation of arm member 36 therein. Stop plates 56 or reduced diameter apertures are provided adjacent recesses 28, 28'to limit movement of the arm member 36 beyond end arm 32.

Screws or other engagement means can be used to secure the hinged clips in place. The end 70 of arm member 36 is of a larger diameter than the aperture provided by the recesses and, together with stop 84, limit movement of the arm member in the axial direction of the arm member.

Toilet flush handle 5 is typically located on an exterior surface of a toilet cistern (not shown). Connection means in the form of a bobbin 58 are provided internally of the toilet cistern and an end 59 of spindle 60 of the toilet handle 5 engages with complementary engagement means 62 in bobbin 58. The flush handle 5 can be located at any required distance from siphon tube 2 and valve arrangement 4 and a connection element 64 connects bobbin 58 to a quadrant member 66 located on end 42 of arm member 36.

Quadrant member 66 is substantially wedge shaped having side walls 68 which taper towards an end 70 and a curved end 72 opposite end 70. An aperture is provided in end 70 through which end 42 of arm member 36 is inserted in use.

Member 66 overhangs the side of valve support plate 16 and is unobstructed by the top and/or side of siphon tube 6, thereby allowing member 66 to be freely rotatable with arm member 36 in use.

Connection element 64 can be provided of any required length and includes resilient biasing means therein in the form of a coiled spring 74. A connection wire 76 can be attached to either end of coiled spring 74 to make up the remaining length of the connection element. One end of the connection element is attached to bobbin 58 via attachment means, such as a screw clamp, clip and/or the like. The other end of the connection element is attached to the curved end 72 of quadrant member 66. As such, application of a force on connection element 64 as a result of depression of flush handle 5 results in proportional rotation of arm member 36 via quadrant member 66 irrespective of the angle of the connection element with respect to the horizontal and with respect to the quadrant member 66.

Preferably a channel portion 78 is provided adjacent the curved end of quadrant member 66 and the connection element is located therein to increase the ease with which flushing can take place and to ensure that the connection element is provided as near to a perpendicular angle as possible with respect to the arm member 36.

Resilient biasing means in the form of sprung portion 82 is provided on arm member 36. Sprung portion 82 protrudes outwardly from arm member 36 in the direction the venting aperture and is engaged with top surface 34 of the valve support plate 16. Rotation of arm member 36 to move the seal 46 towards the venting aperture, places upper portion 82 under increased compression, causing the same to flex. As such, on release of the force on the connection element following release or lifting of the handle 5, arm member 36 is rotated to move the seal 46 in an upwardly direction as a result of the biasing effect of portion 82. A stop member 84 provided on arm member 36 limits the return rotation of the arm member for returning the seal 46 to an open position.

Trailing volume adjustment means in the form of a screw 86 located through an aperture in a block 88 on valve support plate 16 can be provided so as to cooperate with. stop member 84 and limit return movement thereof as the valve means is moved to an open position. The distance of protrusion of screw 86 through the aperture on block 88 determines the distance which arm member 36 rotates between said open and closed positions. This restricts the air entry rate and so delays flush termination. This in turn determines the amount of water that can be used after flush handle 5 is released.

Thus, in use of the present invention, a user depresses handle 5 to initiate a toilet flush. Depression of handle 5 rotates spindle 60 which causes bobbin 58 to rotate or pivot (in a clockwise direction in this example). The connection element 64 connected to bobbin 58 is pulled in a direction towards handle 5, thereby causing quadrant member 66 to be moved towards handle 5. If handle 5 is depressed fully, spring 74 is expanded. As quadrant member 66 is moved towards handle 5, this causes arm member 36 to rotate in an anti-clockwise manner or away/opposite from the direction of rotation of handle 5. Rotation of arm member 36 moves seal 46 from an open position, wherein the seal is located a spaced distance apart from venting aperture 12, to a closed position, wherein the seal is moved into sealing engagement with the venting aperture or top end of sleeve 20 which is located in the venting aperture. At the same time, sprung portion 82 which is engaged with top surface 34 of the valve support plate 16 is placed under increased compression.

When the user decides they wish to terminate the flush, the user simply releases or lifts the flush handle 5, thereby causing flush handle to move in an upwardly or anticlockwise direction. Movement of the flush handle in an upwardly direction is aided by the resilient biasing effect of spring 74. As tension in spring 74 diminishes, the compression in sprung portion 82 is also relieved, which causes arm member 36 to rotate in a clockwise direction. This rotation lifts seal 46 from a closed position to an open position, thereby venting the siphon action in the siphon tube. Arm member 36 is also moved towards an open position as a result of the biasing effect of sprung portion 82.

Thus, it can be seen that a user can both actuate a flush and terminate the flush in a single operation using a single flush handle/user actuation means.

The components of the valve arrangement can be integrally formed, be attached together and/or detachably attached together.

The valve arrangement, toilet handle, connection means and valve support plate can be formed from any suitable plastics material, wood, metal and/or the like. In order to allow the valve arrangement and valve support plate to be located on any size or shaped siphon tube, a resilient or flexible lining material can be provided between the base of valve support plate 16 and the top of the siphon tube. For example, a foam portion 80 can be used, as shown in figure 2.

Suitable apertures are provided in the foam portion which can be aligned with fixing apertures or the venting aperture on valve support plate 16. The flexible lining material can also provide sealing means to prevent any lealdng of air and/or water from the siphon tube when the valve means is in a closed position.

The seal on the valve means can be detachably attached to arm portion 44 to allow replacement and/or repair as and when required.

Different types and shapes of spindle can be used with the toilet handle, chain or toilet flush button as required.

One or more drain holes can be provided on the valve support plate to prevent the build up of limescale and/or other deposits as a result of water being present thereon.