Variable buoyance setting flapper

Abstract

A flush valve is provided for discharging fluid from a tank. The flush valve includes a flapper. The flapper includes a frame portion and a hollow float portion rotatably connected to the frame portion. A relative rotational position between the frame portion and the float portion adjusts at least one opening formed between the frame portion and the float portion, and controls an amount of fluid discharged from the tank by variably adjusting buoyancy of the flapper.

1 . A flush valve apparatus for discharging fluid from a tank, comprising:
 a flapper including:
 a hollow float that has front and bottom holes, and 
 a frame surrounding the portion of the float having the front hole, the frame being rotatably coupled to the hollow float, 
   wherein the rotation of the frame with respect to the float varies the size of the front hole of the float.   
     
     
         2 . The flush valve apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the front hole of the float remains at the same position as the frame is rotated with respect to the float. 
     
     
         3 . The flush valve apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the frame includes a plurality of grooves, and the float includes a tab configured to fit within a groove to prevent rotational movement between the frame and the float. 
     
     
         4 . The flush valve apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein adjusting the frame relative to the float adjusts flush volume of the tank to correspond to different flush volume standards. 
     
     
         5 . The flush valve apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising reference indicators corresponding to different flush volume rates. 
     
     
         6 . A method of variably adjusting flush volume of a toilet, the method comprising:
 providing a float that has front and bottom holes;   providing a frame surrounding the portion of the float having the front hole, the frame being rotatably coupled to the hollow float;   coupling the float to the frame; and   rotating the frame relative to the float to adjust flush volume in the toilet, wherein the rotation of the frame with respect to the float varies the size of the front hole of the float.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the front hole of the float remains at the same position as the frame is rotated with respect to the float. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said rotating adjusts buoyancy of the float in a liquid. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising: removing a non-adjustable flapper from a toilet; and replacing the non-adjustable flapper with an adjustable flapper formed from the frame and the float.