Flush Valve Handle and Check Valve Assembly

Abstract

A flush valve handle assembly and a check valve assembly are provided for use in a flush valve, wherein the flush valve handle assembly and check valve assembly include improved components. The flush valve handle assembly includes a ball member and a plunger rod, one or both of which can be constructed of a polymeric material. An improved flush file retainer is provided which includes at least one ear integrally formed around a circumferential portion thereof. This at least one ear secures the flush file retainer in a snap-fit configuration in the socket-coupling. The check valve assembly includes a piston/seal having a plurality of ribs having a tapered design extending outwardly from a circumferential periphery of the piston/seal. The piston/seal includes a sealing material located on a top surface thereof. This sealing material can be a thermoplastic elastomeric coating material.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A flush valve handle assembly adapted for initiating a flushing sequence within a flush valve, said flush valve handle assembly comprising:
 a handle adapted for movement in at least one direction, said handle including a connecting portion;   a ball member having a contact portion, said ball member associated with the connecting portion of the handle, such that movement of the handle causes said ball member to pivot in at least one direction, said ball member including a central bore extending therethough for receiving the connecting portion of the handle;   a plunger rod associated with the contact surface of the ball member, said plunger rod adapted for movement upon pivoting movement of the ball member;   a socket-coupling for securing the handle to the flush valve;   a flush file retainer including a central aperture extending therethrough for receiving said plunger rod, said flush file retainer including an attachment member associated therewith adapted for a self-centering attachment of the flush file retainer with the socket-coupling; and   a spring positioned between said ball member and said flush file retainer.   
     
     
         2 . The flush valve handle assembly of  claim 1  wherein said ball member is comprised of a polymeric material. 
     
     
         3 . The flush valve handle assembly of  claim 2  wherein said polymeric material comprises an acetal material. 
     
     
         4 . The flush valve handle assembly of  claim 2  wherein said handle is formed from a polymeric material. 
     
     
         5 . The flush valve handle assembly of  claim 2  wherein said handle and said ball member are integrally formed together from said polymeric material. 
     
     
         6 . The flush valve handle assembly of  claim 1  wherein said plunger rod is formed from a polymeric material. 
     
     
         7 . The flush valve handle assembly of  claim 6  wherein said plunger rod is formed from an acetal material. 
     
     
         8 . The flush valve handle assembly of  claim 1  wherein said flush file retainer comprises a circumferential lip having a front surface facing said flush valve, a rear surface facing said ball member, and a circumferential portion extending from said rear surface of said circumferential lip, and wherein said attachment member comprises at least one ear extending from said circumferential portion, said at least one ear adapted to snap within a recessed ring of said socket-coupling to form a snap-fit configuration with the socket-coupling. 
     
     
         9 . The flush valve handle assembly of  claim 8  wherein said front surface of said circumferential lip includes an integral sealing bead extending along a circumferential portion thereof for forming a seal between the flush file retainer and the flush valve. 
     
     
         10 . The flush valve handle assembly of  claim 1  wherein said flush file retainer comprises a cup-shaped member which fits loosely within said socket-coupling resulting in consistent flushing of the flush valve. 
     
     
         11 . A flush valve handle assembly for use in a flush valve, wherein the flush valve handle assembly comprises a ball member constructed of a polymeric material. 
     
     
         12 . The flush valve handle assembly of  claim 11  wherein the polymeric material is acetal. 
     
     
         13 . The flush valve handle assembly of  claim 11  including a handle and a plunger rod associated with the ball member wherein the handle and plunger rod are formed from a polymeric material. 
     
     
         14 . The flush valve handle assembly of  claim 13  wherein the handle is integrally formed with the ball member. 
     
     
         15 . A flush file retainer adapted to be received in a socket-coupling of a flush valve handle assembly, said flush file retainer including at least one ear integrally formed around a circumferential portion thereof, said at least one ear adapted to secure the flush file retainer in a snap-fit configuration in the socket-coupling. 
     
     
         16 . The flush file retainer of  claim 15  including an integral seal bead situated along a circumferential portion of the flush file retainer.