Unitary diaphragm

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10189194-B2
Application number	US-201514952194-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 25, 2015
Priority date	Dec 5, 2014
Publication date	Jan 29, 2019
Grant date	Jan 29, 2019

Abstract

Disclosed are systems and methods for a unitary diaphragm assembly is for use in flush valves. The diaphragm assembly may have a flexible diaphragm which includes a seating portion and a mounting portion at the outer peripheral edge. A flow ring may be positioned adjacent to the seating portion of the diaphragm. An elongated barrel member may extend from the diaphragm in a longitudinal direction and may include a plurality of radial supports positioned circumferentially around the outer surface of the barrel member and along a portion of the length of the barrel member.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A one-piece unitary diaphragm assembly for use in a flush valve, the assembly comprising:
an elongated barrel member having a body defining a passageway;
an annular flexible diaphragm disposed about the elongated barrel member, and a mounting portion at the peripheral edge of the annular flexible diaphragm for mounting said diaphragm assembly within the flush valve;
a radial support positioned circumferentially around the outer surface of said barrel member and extending along at least a portion of the longitudinal length of said barrel member;
a relief valve seat at the upper end of said elongated barrel member, said relief valve seat adapted for receiving a relief valve; and
a relief valve having a stem and a sealing member disposed at an upper end of said stem, in which a sealing material is disposed on a lower surface of the sealing member adapted for sealing against said relief valve seat;
wherein the sealing material is an annular lip on the lower surface of the sealing member;
wherein the elongated barrel member is constructed of a first predetermined material; and
wherein the annular flexible diaphragm is constructed of a second predetermined material different from the first predetermined material.

2. The one-piece unitary diaphragm assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first predetermined material and the second predetermined material are co-formed.

3. The one-piece unitary diaphragm assembly of claim 1 , wherein the second predetermined material is overmolded onto the first predetermined material.

4. The one-piece unitary diaphragm assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a flow control ring positioned about the elongated barrel member, wherein said radial support is configured to support the flow control ring.

5. The one-piece unitary diaphragm assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a bypass orifice disposed through said annular flexible diaphragm.

6. The one-piece unitary diaphragm assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first predetermined material is a thermoplastic and the second predetermined material is a different thermoplastic.

7. The one-piece unitary diaphragm assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first predetermined material is an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and the second predetermined material is a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE).

8. A flush valve diaphragm kit for use in a flush valve, the kit comprising:
a one-piece unitary diaphragm assembly having an elongated barrel member having a body defining a passageway;
an annular flexible diaphragm disposed about the elongated barrel member, and a mounting portion at the peripheral edge of the annular flexible diaphragm for mounting said diaphragm assembly within a flush valve;
a radial support positioned circumferentially around the outer surface of said barrel member and extending along at least a portion of the longitudinal length of said barrel member;
a relief valve seat at the upper end of said elongated barrel member, said relief valve seat being adapted for receiving a relief valve;
wherein the elongated barrel member is constructed of a first predetermined material;
wherein the annular flexible diaphragm is constructed of a second predetermined material; and
further comprising a relief valve having a stem and a sealing member disposed at an upper end of said stem, wherein a sealing material is disposed on a lower surface of the sealing member adapted for sealing against said relief valve seat;
wherein the sealing material is an annular lip on the lower surface of the sealing member.

9. The flush valve diaphragm kit of claim 8 , wherein the first predetermined material and the second predetermined material are co-formed.

10. The flush valve diaphragm kit of claim 8 , wherein the second predetermined material is overmolded onto the first predetermined material.

11. The flush valve diaphragm kit of claim 8 , further comprising a flow control ring positioned about the elongated barrel member, wherein said radial support is configured to support the flow control ring.

12. The flush valve diaphragm kit of claim 8 , further comprising a bypass orifice disposed through said annular flexible diaphragm.

13. The flush valve diaphragm kit of claim 8 , wherein the first predetermined material is a thermoplastic and the second predetermined material is a different thermoplastic.

14. The flush valve diaphragm kit of claim 8 , wherein the first predetermined material is an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and the second predetermined material is a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE).

15. The one-piece unitary diaphragm assembly of claim 1 , wherein the annular lip of sealing material is positioned adjacent an outer surface of the sealing member.

16. The flush valve diaphragm kit of claim 8 , wherein the sealing material extends circumferentially about a portion of the lower surface of the sealing member.

17. The flush valve diaphragm kit of claim 16 , wherein the sealing material is positioned substantially concentrically with an outer surface of the sealing member.

18. The flush valve diaphragm kit of claim 17 , wherein the sealing material is positioned tangential to the outer surface of the sealing member.

Assignees

• Zurn Ind Llc

Inventors

• Funari Michael A
• Saadi Robert E

Classifications

• B29K2021/003

  Thermoplastic elastomers · CPC title

• B29K2055/02

  ABS polymers, i.e. acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene polymers · CPC title

• E03D3/06

  with diaphragm valve and pressure chamber for retarding the valve-closing movement · CPC title

• B29C45/1676 Primary

  using a soft material and a rigid material, e.g. making articles with a sealing part · CPC title

• F16K31/145

  the fluid acting on a diaphragm · CPC title