WO2017032824A1

WO2017032824A1 - An auxiliary flush button for a toilet

Info

Publication number: WO2017032824A1
Application number: PCT/EP2016/070068
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jamie Lawlor
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-08-26
Filing date: 2016-08-25
Publication date: 2017-03-02
Anticipated expiration: 2018-02-26
Also published as: GB2541696B; GB201515164D0; AU2016313118A1; GB2541696A

Abstract

A flush button device to be mounted onto the cistern of a toilet, the device comprising a housing (1) and at least one button (2). The device may be equipped with a light or sound emitting device(18) to signal successful flushing to a user.

Description

Title of the invention

AN AUXILIARY FLUSH BUTTON FOR A TOILET

Field of the Invention

The current invention relates to a flush button device for a toilet. In particular, the current invention is directed towards a removable flush button device for use in operating a dual- flush button present on a conventional toilet.

Background of the Invention

Increasing environmental awareness together with the rising cost of water and concerns over water conservation has led to an increase in the use of toilets with a dual-flush button assembly. This assembly provides the user with the option of manually selecting the water volume of each toilet flush by allowing a partial flush or a full flush of the toilet contents. This action is in contrast to traditional toilets that have only one flush mode, which use a lot of water.

A toilet containing a dual-flush system comprises a large hole, or trapway, at the bottom of the toilet bowl that is larger than that of a standard single-flush toilet. This design allows the dual-flush toilet to use gravity to flush the toilet contents by allowing the water to move fast enough to carry away the contents. Consequently, as no siphoning action is used the dual- flush system requires less water per flush compared with standard single-flush toilets.

In general, a dual-flush button assembly comprises a housing having two separate button surfaces for the user to operate; one for each flushing option. Pressing the partial-flush button surface moves the button linearly to activate a partial flush. Pressing the full-flush button surface rotates the button to activate a full flush. In a typical assembly, a member is located beneath the surface of the button, which moves and pivots with respect to the assembly when the full flush portion is engaged, thereby allowing the full contents of the toilet bowl to be flushed.

One disadvantage with such dual-flush systems is that children, the elderly or people with certain physical disabilities, can often find it particularly difficult to effectively operate the dual-flush button as a certain amount of pressure needs to be applied to the button(s) in order for it to operate successfully. The current invention serves to obviate this problem by providing a removable flush button device to assist the user with operating a conventional dual-flush button on a toilet. The current invention also provides fun feedback to a child by indicating via a sound module that l they have successfully flushed the toilet. This feedback can assist with toilet training a young child.

Summary of the Invention

The current invention provides a flush button device for assisting a user to operate a conventional dual-flush button on a toilet, the device being engageable with the toilet cistern, the device comprising a housing having a button member protruding from the housing in communication with an actuating member, wherein the actuating member is configured to be substantially aligned and engageable with said dual-flush button on a toilet, when the device is engaged on the cistern. Preferably, the button member, when in a first position, protrudes upwards from an opening in the surface of the housing. The button member is configured to move downwards in a linear direction from said first position through said opening in the surface of the housing into a second position when pushed by a user and to engage and move the actuating member downwards in a linear direction from a first position within said housing through an opening in the underside of the housing to a second position. When in the second position, the actuating member protrudes downwards away from the underside of the housing. In use, when in the second position, the actuating member is engaged with and presses the dual flush button on the toilet cistern.

Typically, the height of the button that protrudes upwards from the opening in the surface of the housing is between about 5 mm and about 100mm. Preferably, the height is between about 10mm and about 80mm. Typically, the height is between about 10mm and about 60mm. Conveniently, the height is between about 15mm and 50mm, preferably between 20mm and 30mm, preferably 20mm.

Typically, the diameter of the button is less than 200mm, preferably less than 100mm. Preferably, the diameter is less than about 75mm. Preferably, the diameter is less than 50mm, preferably less than 44mm.

Preferably, the flush button and the actuating member are hollow. Typically, the integrated unit is hollow.

Preferably, the largest diameter of the underside of the actuating member, or the integrated unit, that is aligned with the dual-flush button when in use is less than that of the dual-flush button on the toilet cistern. Preferably, the diameter is less than 200mm, preferably less than 100mm. Preferably, the diameter is less than about 75mm. Preferably, the diameter is less than 50mm, preferably less than 44mm. Preferably, the flush button and the actuating member are an integrated unit.

Preferably, the integrated unit is a substantially cylindrical shape. Alternatively, the shape of the integrated unit is selected from the group comprising substantially rectangular, oval, triangular and amorphous. Alternatively the integrated unit has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is substantially cylindrical in shape and wherein the second end is substantially cruciform in shape.

In another embodiment, the button and the actuating member are two separate members in communication with each other. Preferably, the button and the actuating member are in physical communication with each other. Still preferred, the button and the actuating member may be clipped, slotted, welded together or joined together by any suitable adhesive known in the art.

Preferably, button is a substantially cylindrical shape. Alternatively, the button is a substantially rectangular shape. Alternatively, the shape is selected from the group comprising substantially rectangular, oval, triangular and amorphous. Preferably, the actuating member is a substantially cruciform shape. Alternatively, the shape is selected from the group comprising substantially rectangular, oval, triangular and amorphous.

Preferably, the device is configured to be attached to the surface of a cistern. Preferably, the surface is any surface that comprises a dual-flush button. Preferably, the surface is the top surface or the side wall of the cistern.

Advantageously, the device further comprises a retaining or fixing means for removable attachment to the surface of the toilet cistern. Preferably, the retaining means is on the underside of the housing of the device. Still preferred, the retaining means is selected from the group comprising suction cups, screws, Velcro, double-sided tape and any suitable adhesive known in the art. Preferably, the retaining means comprises three suction cups, one located on each outer corner of the device.

In a further embodiment, the device comprises a sound activating member for emitting a sound when the button member is pushed by a user and the toilet is flushed successfully. Preferably, the sound activating member is located within the flush button of the device. The sound module may be activated by the user by pressing the button member.

Preferably, the device comprises a spring to facilitate the upward movement of the button once the toilet has been successfully flushed. Preferably, the device comprises a plurality of sound holes. Preferably, the sound holes are on the underside of the housing.

Conveniently, the device comprises an antibacterial coating.

Conveniently, the device comprises a light. Preferably, the light is activated by the user by pressing the button member. Typically, the light is a light-emitting diode (LED) light.

Alternatively, the button member comprises a first portion and a second portion and the actuating member comprises a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the button member is in communication with the first portion of the actuating member, said first portion of said actuating member being configured to be substantially aligned and engageable with a partial-flush button surface of said dual-flush button when the device is engaged on the cistern. The second portion of the button member is in communication with the second portion of the actuating member, said second portion of said actuating member being configured to be substantially aligned and engageable with a full-flush button surface of said dual-flush button when the device is engaged on the cistern. Each portion of said button member protrudes upwards from an opening in the surface of said housing and is configured to move, independently of each other, downwards in a liner direction through said opening and to engage and move its corresponding actuating member downwards in a linear direction through an opening in the underside of said housing.

Preferably, the first portion of the button member and the first portion of the actuating member are an integrated unit and the second portion of the button member and the second portion of the actuating member are an integrated unit.

Typically, each portion of said button member comprises a sound module which is capable of emitting a sound when the button member is pushed or activated by a user. Preferably, the sound module of the first portion emits a different sound to the sound module of the second portion.

The current invention also provides a method of flushing a toilet having a dual-flush button comprising using or operating the device of the current invention. Preferably, the method comprises installing the device of the current invention on the toilet cistern, such that the actuating member of the device is aligned with the dual-flush button on the cistern and pushing or pressing the button member thereby activating the dual-flush button on the toilet and flushing the toilet.

The current invention also provides the use of the device of the invention for flushing a toilet. The term "non-active position" as used herein refers to the position of the button when it has not been pressed by a user.

The term "active-position" as used herein refers to the position of the button when it has been pressed by a user. Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is a front view of the device of the current invention in a non-active position. Figure 2 is a side elevation of the device of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a back view of the device of Figure 1. Figure 4 is an aerial view of the device of Figure 1. Figure 5 is a view of the underside of the device of Figure 1 . Figure 6 is a perspective view of the device of Figure 1. Figure 7 is a perspective view of the device of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the device of Figure 1 when being installed by a user.

Figure 9 is a diagrammatic cross sectional view of the device of Figure 1 . Figure 10 is a perspective view of the device of the invention in an active position.

Figure 1 1 is a diagrammatic cross sectional view of the device of the current invention.

Figure 12 is a diagrammatic cross sectional view of the device of the current invention.

Figure 13 is a diagrammatic cross sectional view of a further embodiment of the device of the invention. Figure 14 is a diagrammatic cross sectional view of a further embodiment of the device of the invention.

Figure 15 is a diagrammatic cross sectional view of a further embodiment of the device of the invention.

Detailed Description of the Drawings The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of the following embodiments thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings as described above. Embodiments of the current invention are described below. The invention is not intended to be limited by these examples. Dual-flush buttons on conventional toilets are often cumbersome and difficult to operate as they require a certain amount of physical strength to be activated successfully. The current invention serves to alleviate this problem by providing a removable flush-button device that can be retrofitted to any conventional toilet having a dual-flush button system. The device assists a user, who may be having difficulty due to physical weakness, to flush the toilet successfully.

The device of the current invention achieves this by providing a button which serves to increase the surface area of the conventional dual-flush button already present on the toilet. Due to its size and the fact that it protrudes from the housing, the button is easier to access compared with the conventional dual-flush button present on the toilet cistern. This allows the user to activate the button with the palm of their hand or their entire hand, thereby using more force and allowing it to be activated successfully. This is in contrast with a conventional dual-flush button which is recessed when pressed so can activated only by a single finger or by two fingers. As the device of the invention is easy to install and is also detachable, it can be removed from the toilet cistern with ease, if necessary, depending on the user and easily reinstalled when required. Thus, the device is particularly useful for families with very young children who may not require the device to be continuously present and in use. The device is also useful for the elderly or people with certain physical disabilities. It will be appreciated that the device is engageable with any surface of the toilet cistern that comprises a dual-flush button.

Figure 1 illustrates a front view of the device of the current invention. The device as illustrated in this Figure is in a non-active position, i.e. the button has not been pushed by a user. As shown, the device comprises a housing 1 having a button 2 protruding upwards from an opening in the surface of the housing 1 . The housing 1 is substantially semi- spherical in shape from the illustrated angle. However, it will be appreciated that the housing can be of any shape, for example, a square or a triangle. The button 2 is cylindrical in shape with a curved top surface. However, again, it will be appreciate that the button can be of any shape that functions accordingly, for example, a rectangle. The underside of the housing has three suction cups 3 for retaining or fixing the device in the correct position on the toilet cistern such that the device is substantially aligned with the dual-flush button on the cistern. Any retaining device known in the art could be used and the structure of the retaining device can be varied as desired. For example, the retaining device may be screws, Velcro or double-sided tape or any known adhesive. Figure 2 illustrates a side elevation of the device of Figure 1. As shown, the device comprises a housing 1 having a button 2. In this view, two of the three suction cups 3 are present.

Figure 3 is a back view of the device of Figure 1 . As shown, the device comprises a housing 1 having a button 2 protruding upwards from and away from within the housing 1 . The underside of the housing has three suction cups 3 for retaining the device on the cistern of a toilet.

Figure 4 illustrates an aerial view of the device of the current invention. As illustrated from this aerial view the shape of the housing 1 is triangular in shape with curved corners 4 when viewed from this angle. However, it will be appreciated that any shape could be used. The curved edge of a suction cup 3 protrudes from the underside of the housing at each curved corner 4.

Figure 5 illustrates a view of the underside of the device of Figure 4. As illustrated the shape of the housing 1 is triangular in shape when viewed from this angle. Each corner of the triangular housing 4 has a suction cup 3 of a circular shape. The outermost side edge of the suction cup 3 protrudes over from the edge of the housing away from the centre of the housing. Substantially at the triangular centre of the underside of the housing 1 is the underside of the button assembly 5. The underside of the housing is attached to the top surface of the housing by four screws 12. On either side of the underside of the assembly 5 is a plurality of sound holes 6 functioning to project the sound more efficiently from the device. As can be seen from Figure 5, the underside of the assembly comprises an outer circular band 7. This outer circular band 7 does not move relative to the housing in operation and is structural in function. The surface of the outer circular band 7 slopes inwards from its outer edge to its inner edge towards the centre of the assembly 5. This is clearly seen from the perspective view of Figure 7. The underside of the assembly 5 also has an inner circular band 8 from which the actuating member moves downwards in a linear direction away from the housing when activated. The inner circular band 7 does not move relative to the housing. In the centre of the underside of the assembly 5 is the actuating member 9. In cross sectional view, the actuating member is cruciform in shape comprising four arms 10. The innermost edge of the circular band 8 comprises rectangular slots 1 1 into which the arms 10 of the actuating member 9 slot and move along. After installation by the user, the bottom surface of the actuating member 9 is aligned with the top surface of the dual-flush button present on the top of the cistern of a standard toilet with a dual-flush system (not shown). In use, the user presses the button of the current device which engages and drives the actuating member, out of an opening in the housing downwards in a liner direction away from the underside of the housing. As the actuating member 9 is aligned with the dual-flush button it presses the dual-flush button of the toilet cistern, thereby activing the button and flushing the toilet contents. After the dual-flush button is pressed down and activated, the actuating member and the button will both return to their original positions. The movement of the cistern's dual-flush button, pushes the actuating member and hence the button member back to their non-active or starting positions. Hence, with the device of the current invention, the user can achieve the flushing of the toilet contents easily.

Figure 8 illustrates a user installing the device of the current invention onto a toilet cistern 13. As can be clearly seen from this figure, the actuating member 9 has been activated by the flush button 1 and is protruding outwards from an opening in the housing 1 . The user has aligned the bottom surface of the actuating member 9 with the dual-flush button 14 on the cistern of the toilet 13. Once aligned the device will be kevel on the surface of the toilet cistern 13 such that each suction cup attaches and retains the device in place.

Figure 9 is a cross sectional view of the device of the current invention. In this embodiment, no sound activating member is present. As illustrated, the device comprises a housing 1 of button 2. The button is substantially hollow. The button comprises an actuating member 9. The button is in a non-active state, i.e. it has not been activated by a user and is thus protruding from an opening in the surface of the housing. As can be seen from this Figure, along the lower outer perimeter of the flush button, internal to the housing, is a protruding ridge 15, which functions to retain the flush button in the housing in its first position. Two of the three suction cups 3 on the underside of the device are seen in this Figure. The upper surface of the actuating member also comprises a protruding ridge or lip about its perimeter to retain the member in the housing. The housing comprises a number of internal ribs 16.

Figure 10 illustrates a perspective view of the device of the current invention in an active position, i.e. the button has been pushed by the user and has moved downwards into the housing with only the raised curved surface of the button remaining on the outside of the housing. The flush button 2 has pushed the actuating member 9 downwards through an opening in the underside of the housing such that at least part of the actuating member protrudes outwards from the housing. The actuating member is cruciform in cross-section. Figure 1 1 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the device of the current invention wherein the device comprises a sound activating member 18. The sound activating member 18 emits a noise when the device is activated. The sound activating member 18 is activated when the button is pressed. The flush button activates the sound activating member 18 when it is pressed by the user, by pushing sound activating member 18 downwards towards the actuating member 9. In this embodiment, the sound activating member 18 is an OEM sound chip in a plastic case. When the button is pressed by the user this causes the sound activating member 18 to emit a noise. The sound activating member 18 comprises a housing having two plastic mouldings, a first upper moulding and a second lower moulding, that slide relative to each other. The second lower moulding having side edges being slidable within and configured to be encased by the side edges of the first upper moulding. The sounder is within the housing. When the actuator is pressed the first upper moulding slides downwards towards the second upper moulding and the second upper moulding slides upwards towards and within the first upper moulding. This movement compresses the housing causing the height of the sound housing to decrease and press the sounder. The sound activating member can be turned off, by twisting the first upper moulding causing it to rotate and slot into the second lower moulding, locking the two mouldings together and preventing them from sliding relative to each other and compressing, such that they are no longer capable of pressing the sounder. This movement can be actioned by a button on the housing. The switch may be an electronic switch. Alternatively, the user can access the sound activating member and manually rotate the upper moulding of the sound housing to turn it off. It will be appreciated that any sound activating member known in the art could be used in combination with the device of the current invention.

Figure 12 illustrates the device of claim 1 1 in an active position. In this Figure, the button 2 has been pushed by the user and has moved downwards into the housing 1 with only the raised surface of the button remaining on the outside of the housing. The flush button has pushed the actuating member 9 downwards through an opening in the underside of the housing such that at least part of the actuating member protrudes outwards from the housing. Figures 13 to 15 illustrate another embodiment of the device of the current invention. This embodiment allows the two button surfaces, i.e. the partial-flush button and the full-flush button, of a convention dual-flush button to be selectively pressed as required. Figure 13 displays the device in a non-active position. Figures 14 and 15 display the device in an activate position. As illustrated in Figure 13, the button 21 protrudes from the housing 22 through an opening 30 in a similar manner to Figure 1. However, in this embodiment, the button is separated into two parts (21 a, 21 b), a partial-flush button 21 a and a full-flush button 21 b. Each part of the button has an integrated actuating member 23a, 23b. The dual-flush button of the toilet comprises a housing 25 and a partial flush button surface 27a and a full flush button surface 27b. The underside 24a, 24b, of the actuating members 23a, 23b, is configured to be aligned with one of the two button surfaces 27a, 27b, of the dual-flush button of the toilet cistern 25. The device comprises suction cups 26 for retaining and aligning the device on the cistern of the toilet (not shown). As can be seen from this Figure, along the lower outer perimeter of the flush button, internal to the housing, is a protruding ridge 28, which functions to retain the flush button in the housing in its first position. The device comprises a number of internal ribs 29.

Figure 14 illustrates the device of Figure 13, wherein the partial-flush button 21 a of the device has been activated by a user. As can be seen the user has pushed the button 21 a which has caused it to move in a downward motion through an opening 30 on the surface of the housing 22. The underside 24a is in contact with the partial-flush button surface of the dual-flush button of the toilet and has pushed the button within the housing and activated the partial flush of the toilet contents. It will be understood that an equivalent action can be taken by the full-flush button 21 b when activated by the user.

Figure 15, illustrates the device of Figure 13, wherein both the partial-flush button 21 a and the full-flush button 21 b have been activated by the user. As can be seen the user has pushed the button 21 a and 21 b simultaneously which has caused both buttons to move in a downward motion through an opening 30 on the surface of the housing 22. The underside 24a and 24b are in contact with their respective button surfaces of the dual-flush button of the toilet, pushing both button surfaces within the housing 25. In a preferred embodiment (not shown), each portion of said button member comprises a sound module which is capable of emitting a sound when the button member is pushed or activated by a user. Preferably, the sound module of the first portion emits a different sound to the sound module of the second portion. In this manner, the user is told whether a partial or a full-flush has been successfully actioned.

Claims

1 . A flush button device for assisting a user to operate a conventional dual-flush button on a toilet being engageable with the toilet cistern, the device comprising a housing comprising a button member protruding from the housing in communication with an actuating member, wherein the actuating member is configured to be substantially aligned and engageable with said dual-flush button when the device is engaged on the cistern.

2. The flush button device of claim 1 , wherein the button member protrudes upwards from an opening in the surface of said housing and is configured to move downwards in a liner direction through said opening and to engage and move the actuating member downwards in a linear direction through an opening in the underside of said housing.

3. The flush button device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the height of the button member that protrudes upwards from said opening is between about 5mm and 100mm, preferably 20mm.

4. The flush button device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the button member and the actuating member are an integrated unit.

5. The flush button device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the button member and the actuating member are in physical communication with each other.

6. The flush button device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the button member is a substantially cylindrical shape, a substantially rectangular shape, a substantially oval shape, a substantially triangular shape or an amorphous shape.

7. The flush button device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuating member is a substantially cylindrical shape, a substantially rectangular shape, a substantially oval shape, a substantially triangular shape, an amorphous shape or a substantially cruciform shape.

8. The flush button device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device further comprises a retaining or fixing means for removable attachment to the surface of the toilet cistern adjacent the dual-flush button.

9. The flush button device of claim 8, wherein the retaining means is selected from the group comprising suction cups, screws, Velcro, double-sided tape and adhesive.

10. The flush button device of claim 9, wherein the retaining means comprises at least one suction cup attached to the underside of the housing.

1 1 . The flush button device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device further comprises a sound activating member which activates to emit a sound when the button member is pushed by a user.

12. The flush button device of claim 1 1 , wherein the sound activating member is located within the button member.

13. The flush button device of claim 1 1 or 12, wherein the device further comprises a plurality of sound holes on the underside of the housing.

14. The flush button device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device further comprises a light activating member which activates to light up when the button member is pushed by a user.

15. The flush button device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the button member comprises a first portion and a second portion, and wherein said actuating member comprises a first portion configured to be substantially aligned and engageable with a partial-flush button surface of said dual-flush button and a second portion configured to be substantially aligned and engageable with a full-flush button surface of said dual-flush button when the device is engaged on the cistern, and wherein each portion of said button member protrudes upwards from an opening in the surface of said housing and is configured to move, independently of each other, downwards in a liner direction through said opening and to engage and move its corresponding actuating member downwards in a linear direction through an opening in the underside of said housing.

16. The flush button device of claim 15, wherein the first portion of the button member and the first portion of the actuating member are an integrated unit and the second portion of the button member and the second portion of the actuating member are an integrated unit.

17. A method of flushing a toilet having a dual-flush button, comprising the device of the any one of the preceding claims.

18. Use of the device of any one of the preceding claims in a method of flushing a toilet comprising a dual-flush button.

19. The flush button device substantially as described herein with reference to the figures.