Universal canister flush valve

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11286655-B2
Application number	US-202016791689-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 14, 2020
Priority date	Feb 15, 2019
Publication date	Mar 29, 2022
Grant date	Mar 29, 2022

Abstract

A universal canister flush valve having a valve body configured to be fixed relative to a toilet tank and having a hollow wall defining an internal flow passage; a guide post coupled to and extending away from the valve body; a float fitted about and configured to slide relative to the guide post between a closed position and an open position, the float having an open top; and an extender that selectively couples to the open top in a first position, in which a first end of the extender is received in and coupled to the open top, and in a second position, in which a second end of the extender is received in and coupled to the open top, wherein the extender and float define a first overflow height in the first position and define a second overflow height in the second position.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A universal canister flush valve, comprising:
a valve body configured to be fixed relative to a toilet tank and having a hollow wall defining an internal flow passage;
a guide post coupled to and extending away from the valve body;
a float fitted about and configured to slide relative to the guide post between a closed position and an open position, the float having an open top; and
an extender that selectively couples to the open top in a first position, in which a first end of the extender is received in and coupled to the open top, and in a second position, in which a second end of the extender is received in and coupled to the open top,
wherein the extender and float define a first overflow height in the first position and define a second overflow height in the second position,
wherein the extender comprises:
a hollow body extending between the first and second ends; and
a rib or a flange extending radially inward from an inner surface of the body,
wherein the rib or the flange is located longitudinally a first distance from the first end and a second distance from the second end.

2. The universal canister flush valve of claim 1 , wherein the extender is removable from the open top, such that the open top defines a third overflow height with the extender removed.

3. The universal canister flush valve of claim 1 , wherein a first surface of the rib contacts the float in the first position, and a second surface of the rib contacts the float in the second position.

4. The universal canister flush valve of claim 3 , wherein the rib has an annular shape.

5. The universal canister flush valve of claim 1 , wherein the flange includes a first surface, which contacts an end of the open top in the first position, and a second surface, which contacts the end of the open top in the second position.

6. The universal canister flush valve of claim 1 , wherein the float includes a bottom that extends radially inward, the bottom having at least one opening therein that influences the buoyancy of the float.

7. The universal canister flush valve of claim 6 , wherein the at least one opening in the bottom comprises:
a first opening having a first flow area; and
a second opening having a second flow area, which is greater or less than the first flow area.

8. A toilet comprising:
the universal canister flush valve of claim 1 ;
a toilet bowl;
the toilet tank; and
a valve nut that threads to the valve body to secure the valve body to the toilet tank, wherein the internal flow passage of the valve body is configured to direct flush water from the toilet tank to the toilet bowl during a flush cycle of the toilet.

9. A universal canister flush valve, comprising:
a valve body configured to fixedly couple to a toilet and having a hollow wall defining a flow passage;
a guide post coupled to and extending away from the valve body;
a float fitted about and configured to move relative to the guide post between a closed position and an open position, the float comprising:
an outer wall extending between a first end and a second end, which is open;
an inner wall configured to move along the guide post; and
a bottom wall extending between the inner wall and the outer wall; and
a disc rotatably coupled to the float and disposed adjacent to the top of the inner wall, such that relative rotation between the disc and the float adjusts at least one port of the disc relative to at least one opening in the top of the inner wall to change a flow area.

10. The universal canister flush valve of claim 9 , wherein the at least one opening comprises a plurality of elongated slots, and the at least one port comprises a plurality of elongated slots.

11. The universal canister flush valve of claim 10 , further comprising:
an extender that selectively couples to the second end of the outer wall in a first position, in which a first end of the extender couples to the outer wall, and in a second position, in which a second end of the extender couples to the outer wall,
wherein the extender and float define a first overflow height in the first position and define a second overflow height in the second position.

12. A toilet comprising:
a toilet bowl,
a toilet tank, and
the universal canister flush valve of claim 9 , wherein the flow passage of the valve body is configured to direct flush water from the toilet tank to the toilet bowl during a flush cycle of the toilet.

13. A universal canister flush valve, comprising:
a valve body configured to fixedly couple to a toilet and having a hollow wall defining a flow passage;
a guide post coupled to and extending away from the valve body;
a float fitted about and configured to move relative to the guide post between a closed position and an open position, the float comprising:
an outer wall extending between a first end and a second end, which is open;
an inner wall configured to move along the guide post; and
a bottom wall extending between the inner wall and the outer wall; and
a disc rotatably coupled to the float and disposed adjacent to the bottom wall or a top of the inner wall, such that relative rotation between the disc and the float adjusts at least one port of the disc relative to at least one opening in the bottom wall or the top of the inner wall to change a flow area,
wherein a recess in the float receives an outer periphery of the disc, and the recess extends inwardly into the outer wall of the float; the float includes a flange extending radially outward from the outer wall; and the flange defines a pocket that carries a seal, which selectively seals against a valve seat of the valve body.

14. The universal canister flush valve of claim 13 , wherein the disc is disposed adjacent to the bottom wall, such that relative rotation between the disc and the float adjusts the at least one port of the disc relative to the at least one opening in the bottom wall.

Assignees

• Kohler Co

Inventors

• Smith Andrew L
• Ahola Billy Jack
• Bogenschuetz Donald G
• Duwell Lawrence E
• Swart Peter W
• Laundre Jeffrey T
• Strasser Bradley
• Krebs Matthew
• Bogard Douglas E
• Halloran Daniel N
• Krebs Scott R
• Malis Jr Edward F
• Mesun Randy O
• Derner Eric
• Schaal Stewart Anthony

Classifications

• E03D1/142

  in cisterns with flushing valves · CPC title

• E03D1/35 Primary

  Flushing valves having buoyancy · CPC title

• E03D1/34 Primary

  Flushing valves for outlets; Arrangement of outlet valves · CPC title

• E03D1/33

  Adaptations or arrangements of floats (actuating-floats in general F16K33/00) · CPC title