Flushing device

Abstract

The invention provides a sewer flushing device for location in a sewage system. The device comprises a housing with an inlet, an outlet and a sewage flow path defined between said inlet and outlet. At least one of the inlet or outlet is adapted to connect to a conduit of the sewage system. A gate is pivotally supported on the housing for movement between open and closed positions and the gate has a pivot axis between the upper and lower ends. Biasing means are configured to urge the gate to a closed position whereat the flow path is substantially blocked causing a build-up of sewage upstream of the gate. The gate is moved to its open position only when the build-up of sewage behind the gate reaches a predetermined level thus causing the built-up sewage to be rapidly released to flush the sewage system downstream of the flushing device.

1 . A sewer flushing device for location in a sewage system, the device comprising:
 a housing having an inlet, an outlet and a sewage flow path defined between said inlet and outlet, at least one of the inlet and the outlet being adapted sealingly to connect to a conduit of the sewage system;   a gate pivotally supported on the housing for movement between open and closed positions and having upper and lower ends between which the pivot axis is disposed; and   biasing means configured to bias the gate to a closed position whereat the flow path is substantially blocked thus causing a build-up of sewage upstream of the gate, the gate being urged towards its open position only when the build-up of sewage reaches a predetermined level thus causing the build-up of sewage to be rapidly released so as to flush the sewage system downstream of the flushing device.   
     
     
         2 . A sewer flushing device as claimed in  claim 1  and further including a gate support assembly mounted to the housing and defining one of a pair of lugs or a pair of openings that co-operate with the other of the pair of lugs or the pair of openings provided on the gate. 
     
     
         3 . A sewer flushing device as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the support assembly comprises a pair of opposed brackets, each being mounted on an interior face of the housing. 
     
     
         4 . A sewer flushing device as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the housing includes a pair of slots formed in the interior face to accommodate the brackets. 
     
     
         5 . A sewer flushing device as claimed in  1   claim 2 , wherein the gate has opposed edges provided with hinge members defining the other of the lugs and the openings. 
     
     
         6 . A sewer flushing device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a counter weight is supported on a lower portion of the gate and is moveable relative to the pivot axis selectively to vary the predefined level of sewage at which the gate moves to its open position. 
     
     
         7 . A sewer flushing device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the housing includes an overflow aperture on an upper portion thereof. 
     
     
         8 . A sewer flushing device as claimed in  claim 7  and further comprising a cover adapted to close the aperture. 
     
     
         9 . A sewer flushing device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the housing includes a tubular portion having a free end defining the inlet or the outlet. 
     
     
         10 . A sewer flushing device as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the tubular portion has an exterior face provided with seals arranged to co-operate with the interior face of the upstream or downstream conduit. 
     
     
         11 . A sewer flushing device as claimed in  claim 1  and further comprising attachment means by which the device can be lifted and manoeuvred.