Flush activation system

Claim 2

A flush activation system for controlling the drainage of water from a toilet flush tank during a flush comprising: (a) a valve assembly including a valve member displaceable between open and closed positions for respectively initiating and terminating the drainage of water from the flush tank; (b) a displaceable flush lever assembly coupled to said valve assembly for actuating the displacement of said valve member from said closed position to said open position; (c) at least one auxiliary assembly coupled to said flush lever assembly, said auxiliary assembly including an activating arm having at least one activating float component coupled adjacent a terminal end thereof, said activating arm being pivotally displaceable between angularly offset active and inactive positions, said activating arm being biased in orientation at said active and inactive positions in angularly opposed directions away from a vertical orientation, said activating arm in said active position actuating at least a portion of said flush lever assembly to maintain said valve member in said open position during the drainage of water at least until the water level within the flush tank drops beyond a predetermined activating water level; and, (d) an actuation assembly coupled to said auxiliary assembly, said actuation assembly being operable in at least one mode to displace said activating arm of said auxiliary assembly to said active position thereof.

Claim 3

The flush activation system as recited in claim 1 wherein said valve assembly further includes at least one first partial flush float component coupled to said valve member operable to maintain said valve member in said open position during the drainage of water at least until the water level within the flush tank drops beyond a predetermined intermediate water level defined above said predetermined activating water level.

Claim 4

The flush activation system as recited in claim 2 wherein said actuation assembly is operable in at least one supplementary mode to displace at least a portion of said flush lever assembly independent of said auxiliary assembly.

Claim 5

A flush activation system for controlling the drainage of water from a toilet flush tank during a flush comprising: (a) a partial flush valve assembly including a valve member and at least one first float component coupled thereto, said valve member being displaceable between open and closed positions for respectively initiating and terminating the drainage of water from the flush tank, said first float component being operable to maintain said valve member in said open position during the drainage of water at least until the water level within the flush tank drops beyond a first predetermined water level; (b) a displaceable flush lever assembly coupled to said partial flush valve assembly for actuating the displacement of said valve member from said closed position to said open position; (c) an auxiliary assembly coupled to said flush lever assembly, said auxiliary assembly including an activating arm having at least one second float component coupled adjacent a terminal end thereof, said activating arm being pivotally displaceable between angularly offset active and inactive positions, said activating arm being biased in orientation at said active and inactive positions in angularly opposed directions away from a vertical orientation, said activating arm in said active position actuating at least a portion of said flush lever assembly to maintain said valve member in said open position during the drainage of water at least until the water level within the flush tank drops beyond a second predetermined water level defined below said first predetermined water level; and, (d) an actuation assembly coupled to said flush lever assembly and said auxiliary assembly, said actuation assembly being operable in at least a first mode to displace at least a portion of said flush lever assembly independent of said auxiliary assembly, and in at least a second mode to displace said activating arm of said auxiliary assembly to said active position thereof.

Claim 6

A flush activation system for controlling the drainage of water from a toilet flush tank during a flush comprising: (a) a partial flush valve assembly including a valve member and at least one first float component coupled thereto, said valve member being displaceable between open and closed positions for respectively initiating and terminating the drainage of water from the flush tank, said first float component being operable to maintain said valve member in said open position during the drainage of water at least until the water level within the flush tank drops beyond a first predetermined water level; (b) a displaceable flush lever assembly coupled to said partial flush valve assembly for actuating the displacement of said valve member from said closed position to said open position; (c) an auxiliary assembly coupled to said flush lever assembly, said auxiliary assembly including an activating arm having at least one second float component coupled adjacent a terminal end thereof, said activating arm being pivotally displaceable between angularly offset active and inactive positions, said activating arm being biased in orientation at said active and inactive positions in angularly opposed directions away from a vertical orientation, said activating arm in said active position actuating at least a portion of said flush lever assembly to maintain said valve member in said open position during the drainage of water at least until the water level within the flush tank drops beyond a second predetermined water level defined below said first predetermined water level; and, (d) an actuation assembly coupled to said flush lever assembly and said auxiliary assembly, said actuation assembly being operable in at least a first mode to displace at least a portion of said flush lever assembly independent of said auxiliary assembly, and in at least a second mode to displace said activating arm of said auxiliary assembly to said active position thereof.

Claim 7

The flush activation system as recited in claim 4 wherein said activating arm is biased for displacement to said inactive position thereof responsive to the water level within the flush tank dropping below said second predetermined water level.

Claim 8

The flush activation system as recited in claim 5 wherein said activating arm is biased in orientation at least partially by the buoyancy of said second float member at each of said active and inactive positions thereof.

Claim 9

The flush activation system as recited in claim 4 wherein said flush lever assembly includes at least one primary lever arm having longitudinally opposed first and second end portions, said primary lever arm being pivotally displaceable about a pivot axis defined at said first end portion, said second end portion being coupled to said partial flush valve assembly.

Claim 10

The flush activation system as recited in claim 7 wherein said actuation assembly is operable in both said first and second modes thereof to pivotally displace said primary lever arm for displacing said valve member to said open position, said second float component maintaining said valve member in said open position during the drainage of water at least until the water level drops beyond said second predetermined water level.

Claim 11

The flush activation system as recited in claim 7 wherein said flush lever assembly further includes at least one auxiliary lever arm coupled to said auxiliary assembly and having longitudinally opposed first and second end portions, said auxiliary lever arm being pivotally displaceable about a pivot axis defined at said first end portion, said second end portion being coupled to said valve member.

Claim 12

The flush activation system as recited in claim 9 wherein said flush lever assembly further includes an adjustable weighting mechanism coupled to said auxiliary lever arm for adjustably counterbalancing said auxiliary assembly.

Claim 13

The flush activation system as recited in claim 9 wherein said actuation assembly includes a partial flush portion operable in said first mode to pivotally displace said primary lever arm, and a full flush portion operable in said second mode to pivotally displace said auxiliary lever arm independent of said primary lever arm.

Claim 14

The flush activation system as recited in claim 11 wherein said partial and full flush portions of said actuation assembly respectively include partial and full flush handles pivotally displaceable one independent of the other.

Claim 15

The flush activation system as recited in claim 11 wherein said flush portions of said actuation assembly including a pivotally displaceable flush handle member, and the other of said flush portions including an axially displaceable flush handle member.

Claim 16

The flush activation system as recited in claim 6 wherein said partial flush valve assembly further includes a weighting component adjustably coupled to said valve member for automatically actuating the displacement of said valve member to said closed position responsive to the water level within the flush tank dropping during the drainage of water beyond said first predetermined water level.

Claim 17

The flush activation system as recited in claim 14 wherein said weighting component of said partial flush valve assembly includes a body defining an inner compartment, said body having a perforated portion for open access to said inner compartment.

Claim 18

The flush activation system as recited in claim 15 wherein said weighting component of said partial flush valve assembly further includes at least one ballast member disposed within said inner compartment for stabilizing the position and orientation of said body.

Claim 19

A flush activation system for controlling the drainage of water from a toilet flush tank during a flush comprising: (a) a partial flush valve assembly including a valve member and at least one first float component coupled thereto, said valve member being displaceable between open and closed positions for respectively initiating and terminating the drainage of water from the flush tank, said first float component being operable to maintain said valve member in said open position during the drainage of water at least until the water level within the flush tank drops beyond a first predetermined water level; (b) a flush lever assembly coupled to said partial flush valve assembly for actuating the displacement of said valve member from said closed position to said open position, said flush lever assembly including at least one primary lever arm and at least one auxiliary lever arm, each said lever arm having longitudinally opposed first and second end portions and being pivotally displaceable about a pivot axis defined at said first end portion, said second end portion being coupled to said partial flush valve assembly; (c) an auxiliary assembly coupled to said flush lever assembly, said auxiliary assembly including an activating arm having at least one second float component coupled adjacent a terminal end thereof, said activating arm being pivotally displaceable between angularly offset active and inactive positions, said activating arm being biased in orientation at said active and inactive positions in angularly opposed directions away from a vertical orientation, said activating arm in said active position actuating at least a portion of said flush lever assembly to maintain said valve member in said open position during the drainage of water at least until the water level within the flush tank drops beyond a second predetermined water level defined below said first predetermined water level, said activating arm being biased for displacement to said inactive position responsive to the water level dropping below said second predetermined water level; and, (d) an actuation assembly coupled to said flush lever assembly and said auxiliary assembly, said actuation assembly being operable in at least a first mode to displace at least a portion of said flush lever assembly independent of said auxiliary assembly, and in at least a second mode to displace said activating arm of said auxiliary assembly to said active position thereof.

Claim 20

A flush activation system for controlling the drainage of water from a toilet flush tank during a flush comprising: (a) a partial flush valve assembly including a valve member and at least one first float component coupled thereto, said valve member being displaceable between open and closed positions for respectively initiating and terminating the drainage of water from the flush tank, said first float component being operable to maintain said valve member in said open position during the drainage of water at least until the water level within the flush tank drops beyond a first predetermined water level; (b) a flush lever assembly coupled to said partial flush valve assembly for actuating the displacement of said valve member from said closed position to said open position, said flush lever assembly including at least one primary lever arm and at least one auxiliary lever arm, each said lever arm having longitudinally opposed first and second end portions and being pivotally displaceable about a pivot axis defined at said first end portion, said second end portion being coupled to said partial flush valve assembly; (c) an auxiliary assembly coupled to said flush lever assembly, said auxiliary assembly including an activating arm having at least one second float component coupled adjacent a terminal end thereof, said activating arm being pivotally displaceable between angularly offset active and inactive positions, said activating arm being biased in orientation at said active and inactive positions in angularly opposed directions away from a vertical orientation, said activating arm in said active position actuating at least a portion of said flush lever assembly to maintain said valve member in said open position during the drainage of water at least until the water level within the flush tank drops beyond a second predetermined water level defined below said first predetermined water level, said activating arm being biased for displacement to said inactive position responsive to the water level dropping below said second predetermined water level; and, (d) an actuation assembly coupled to said flush lever assembly and said auxiliary assembly, said actuation assembly being operable in at least a first mode to displace at least a portion of said flush lever assembly independent of said auxiliary assembly, and in at least a second mode to displace said activating arm of said auxiliary assembly to said active position thereof.

Claim 21

The flush activation system as recited in claim 17 wherein primary lever arm is connected to said first float component, and said auxiliary lever arm is connected to said valve member.

Claim 22

The flush activation system as recited in claim 18 wherein said actuation assembly includes a partial flush portion operable in said first mode to pivotally displace said primary lever arm, and a full flush portion operable in said second mode to pivotally displace said auxiliary lever arm independent of said primary lever arm.

Claim 23

A flush activation system for controlling the drainage of water from a toilet flush tank during a flush comprising: (a) a partial flush mechanism independently actuable to initiate and terminate the drainage of a first volume of water from the flush tank, said partial flush mechanism being operable to maintain the drainage of water at least until the water level within the flush tank drops beyond a first predetermined water level; (b) a full flush mechanism actuable to initiate and terminate the drainage of a second volume water from the flush tank greater than said first volume of water, said flush mechanism including: (1) a lever arm pivotally displaceable between opening and closing positions for respectively opening and closing a drain seal of the flush tank; (2) an activating arm coupled to said lever arm, said activating arm being pivotally displaceable between angularly offset active and inactive positions, said activating arm in said active position maintaining said lever arm in said opening position thereof during the drainage of water at least until the water level within the flush tank drops beyond a second predetermined water level defined below said first predetermined water level, said activating arm being biased to displace to said inactive position thereof responsive to the water level dropping below said second predetermined water level; and, (3) at least one float component coupled adjacent a terminal end portion of said activating arm, said float component buoyantly biasing said activating arm in orientation at said active and inactive positions in angularly opposed directions away from a vertical orientation; and, (c) an actuation assembly coupled to said partial and full flush mechanisms for the selective actuation thereof.

Claim 24

A flush activation system for controlling the drainage of water from a toilet flush tank during a flush comprising: (a) a partial flush mechanism independently actuable to initiate and terminate the drainage of a first volume of water from the flush tank, said partial flush mechanism being operable to maintain the drainage of water at least until the water level within the flush tank drops beyond a first predetermined water level; (b) a full flush mechanism actuable to initiate and terminate the drainage of a second volume water from the flush tank greater than said first volume of water, said flush mechanism including: (1) a lever arm pivotally displaceable between opening and closing positions for respectively opening and closing a drain seal of the flush tank; (2) an activating arm coupled to said lever arm, said activating arm being pivotally displaceable between angularly offset active and inactive positions, said activating arm in said active position maintaining said lever arm in said opening position thereof during the drainage of water at least until the water level within the flush tank drops beyond a second predetermined water level defined below said first predetermined water level, said activating arm being biased to displace to said inactive position thereof responsive to the water level dropping below said second predetermined water level; and, (3) at least one float component coupled adjacent a terminal end portion of said activating arm, said float component buoyantly biasing said activating arm in orientation at said active and inactive positions in angularly opposed directions away from a vertical orientation; and, (c) an actuation assembly coupled to said partial and full flush mechanisms for the selective actuation thereof.

Claim 25

A flush activation system for controlling the drainage of water from a toilet flush tank during a flush comprising: (a) a partial flush valve assembly including a valve member and at least one first float component coupled thereto, said valve member being displaceable between open and closed positions for respectively initiating and terminating the drainage of water from the flush tank, said first float component being operable to maintain said valve member in said open position during the drainage of water at least until the water level within the flush tank drops beyond a first predetermined water level; (b) a displaceable flush lever assembly coupled to said partial flush valve assembly for actuating the displacement of said valve member from said closed position to said open position; (c) an auxiliary assembly coupled to said flush lever assembly, said auxiliary assembly including: (1) an activating arm pivotally displaceable between angularly offset active and inactive positions, said activating arm in said active position actuating at least a portion of said flush lever assembly to maintain said valve member in said open position during the drainage of water at least until the water level within the flush tank drops beyond a second predetermined water level defined below said first predetermined water level, said activating arm being biased to displace to said inactive position thereof responsive to the water level dropping below said second predetermined water level; and, (2) at least one second float component coupled adjacent a terminal end portion of said activating arm, said second float component buoyantly biasing said activating arm in orientation at said active and inactive positions in angularly opposed directions away from a vertical orientation; and, (d) an actuation assembly coupled to said flush lever assembly and said auxiliary assembly, said actuation assembly being operable responsive to a first manipulation thereof by a user to displace at least a portion of said flush lever assembly independent of said auxiliary assembly, said actuation mechanism being operable responsive to a second manipulation thereof by a user to both displace at least a portion of said flush lever assembly and displace said activating arm of said auxiliary assembly to said active position thereof.

Claim 26

A flush activation system for controlling the drainage of water from a toilet flush tank during a flush comprising: (a) a partial flush valve assembly including a valve member and at least one first float component coupled thereto, said valve member being displaceable between open and closed positions for respectively initiating and terminating the drainage of water from the flush tank, said first float component being operable to maintain said valve member in said open position during the drainage of water at least until the water level within the flush tank drops beyond a first predetermined water level; (b) a displaceable flush lever assembly coupled to said partial flush valve assembly for actuating the displacement of said valve member from said closed position to said open position; (c) an auxiliary assembly coupled to said flush lever assembly, said auxiliary assembly including: (1) an activating arm pivotally displaceable between angularly offset active and inactive positions, said activating arm in said active position actuating at least a portion of said flush lever assembly to maintain said valve member in said open position during the drainage of water at least until the water level within the flush tank drops beyond a second predetermined water level defined below said first predetermined water level, said activating arm being biased to displace to said inactive position thereof responsive to the water level dropping below said second predetermined water level; and, (2) at least one second float component coupled adjacent a terminal end portion of said activating arm, said second float component buoyantly biasing said activating arm in orientation at said active and inactive positions in angularly opposed directions away from a vertical orientation; and, (d) an actuation assembly coupled to said flush lever assembly and said auxiliary assembly, said actuation assembly being operable responsive to a first manipulation thereof by a user to displace at least a portion of said flush lever assembly independent of said auxiliary assembly, said actuation mechanism being operable responsive to a second manipulation thereof by a user to both displace at least a portion of said flush lever assembly and displace said activating arm of said auxiliary assembly to said active position thereof.

Claim 27

The flush activation system as recited in claim 21 wherein said activating arm is disposed in biased manner for displacement to said inactive position responsive to the water level dropping below said second predetermined water level.