US20050229298A1

US20050229298A1 - Dual Flush Control Mechanism and Toilet Incorporating the Same

Info

Publication number: US20050229298A1
Application number: US10/907,520
Authority: US
Inventors: Seth Bayer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-09-10
Filing date: 2005-04-04
Publication date: 2005-10-20

Abstract

A toilet flush control has a base member that secures to the toilet tank and supports an actuator shaft for rotational movement about a first axis. A flush arm is mounted to the base member for pivotal movement about a second axis that is spaced from the first axis and connects to the flapper. A float rod has a first end supported on the shaft whereby movement of the shaft in a first rotational direction pivots the float arm from a first float rod position to a second float rod position, and an end of the float arm is configured to engage the flush arm to move the flush arm to an intermediate position. A cam element is disposed on the shaft whereby, when the shaft is rotated in another rotational direction, the cam moves the flush arm from a first to a second flush arm position.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention broadly concerns flush mechanisms and toilets which incorporate such flush mechanisms in order to control water discharge from a toilet tank reservoir through a toilet bowl. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a dual flush control mechanism which provides the capability of both a low volume and a high volume flush at the same flow rate.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Habitation of an area by human population has always been dependent upon the availability of a clean source of fresh water. Thus, cities typically have both elaborate fresh water distribution systems and wastewater collection and treatment facilities. Rural areas, on the other hand, typically rely on fresh water wells as a water source and septic tanks for the collection and dispersal of wastewater. In either case, the availability of clean water is a precious commodity. This can either result from excessive demand on a water source or the vary scarcity of water in more arid climates. Therefore, the conservation of water resources has become increasingly important in modern times.
The average American uses about 42 gallons of water per day for domestic living. Of this consumption, more water is used for toilet flushing than for any other domestic water application. As is known, a conventional toilet includes a toilet bowl for the collection of human waste, either as solid matter (i.e., fecal waste) or as liquid waste (i.e., urine) and a reservoir or tank that stores water for use in flushing the contents of the toilet bowl. This flush tank is therefore in fluid communication with the toilet bowl through a discharge port. A flapper or other valve closes this discharge port, but it may be opened to permit water to flow out of the reservoir and through the toilet bowl. It is well known that a larger water volume capacity is necessary to flush solid matter than the volume necessary to sufficiently flush liquid waste. Nonetheless, the flow rate should be maintained to complete a flush of either solid or liquid waste materials.
As a result of these competing needs, toilets are generally set so as to provide a high volume, high velocity flush in order to ensure that solid waste is properly disposed. Since the majority of flushes are used for flushing only liquid waste. this practice results in the waste of an excessive amount of water during normal use over a period of time. Indeed, more water is used, and therefore wasted, for toilet flushing than for any other domestic water application.
In response to this problem, dual flush toilets have been developed to allow the user the choice of selecting between a large volume flush to dispose of solid waste and a smaller volume flush to dispose of liquid waste. One such example is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,041,452 issued Mar. 28, 2000 to Hsiao, et al. In the water saving toilet described in Hsiao, et al, two separate discharge ports are provided with an upper most opening establishing a low volume flush and a lower most opening establishing a high volume flush. Each opening has an independent chain and flapper. Rotation of the handle in one direction opens one of the flappers while counter rotation opens the other.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,881,279 issued Nov. 21, 1989 to Harney discloses a dual flush mechanism that is operated by two separate flush handles. Operation of one flush handle allows the flush valve to move into a full open position for a full volume flush. Operation of the other handle is restricted so that the flush valve-actuating arm only partially raises thus allowing for a lower volume flush.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,206,960 issued May 4, 1993 to Hooshley, et al. teaches a dual flush toilet control mechanism utilizing a multi-lobed cam. Rotation of the flush handle in one direction partially raises the flush control arm whereas rotation in an opposite direction fully raises the flow control arm. In this manner, either a full volume or a partial volume flush is achieved.
Despite the existence of these different functions to accomplish full and partial volume flushes, there remain disadvantages of the existing structures. For example, some of the structures are relatively difficult to retrofit on to existing toilets so that a user may be required to replace a substantial portion of the toilet assembly. Other devices only partially open the flush control valve or flapper resulting in a reduction of discharge flow velocity for the partial flush. By retarding the discharge velocity, an incomplete flush may result when employing the device in a low volume mode. Other dual mode flush control mechanisms have been found to be excessively complicated and thus expensive to manufacture.
Accordingly, there is a need for improved dual mode flush control mechanisms, and toilet incorporating such mechanisms, that are relatively inexpensive to manufacture and may be supplied as both original equipment and as retrofit structures. There is further a need for dual mode flush control mechanisms which discharge different volumes of water from a toilet tank reservoir while maintaining the discharge velocity. The present invention is directed to meeting these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and useful flush control mechanism and toilet incorporating such flush control mechanism that allows a user to select between large volume flushes and low volume flushes.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a flush control mechanism and a toilet containing such a mechanism, wherein the water discharge velocity from the reservoir tank of a toilet is substantially the same in both a high volume flush mode and low volume flush mode.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and useful flush control mechanism, and toilet incorporating such mechanism, which may be supplied as original equipment or that can be conveniently retrofitted onto existing toilets.
According to the present invention, then, a flush control mechanism is provided as well as an improvement to a toilet. The flush control mechanism is adapted to mount against the sidewall of a toilet reservoir tank in the interior thereof so as to control the flapper that acts as a valve to selectively close and open the discharge opening of the tank so as to prevent and allow dispensing of water through the toilet bowl in order to accomplish a flush.
Broadly, the flush control mechanism includes a base member that is adapted to secure to the sidewall of the tank. An actuator shaft is supported by the base member for rotational movement about a first axis. A flush arm is pivotally mounted at a flush arm first end portion to the base member for pivotal movement about a second axis that is spaced apart from the first axis. The flush arm is thus pivotable between a first flush arm position to a second flush arm position through an intermediate flush arm position. The flush arm includes a flush arm second end portion that is adapted to connect to the flapper. A float rod is then provided and includes a float rod first end portion supported on the actuator shaft whereby rotational movement of the shaft in a first rotational direction pivots the float rod from a first float rod position to a second float rod position. The float rod includes a float rod second end portion opposite the float rod first end portion that is configured to engage the flush arm when the float rod moves from the first float rod position to the second float rod position thereby to move the flush arm from the first flush arm position to the intermediate flush arm position. At least one cam element is secured to the actuator shaft and is operative to act upon the flush arm second end portion when the shaft is rotated in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction thereby to move the flush arm from the first flush arm position to the second flush arm position.
In the exemplary embodiment, a limit stop is provided that is operative to prevent movement of the float rod past the second float rod position. This limit stop may include a stop block disposed on the base member. Moreover, in order to rotate the actuator shaft in the first and second rotational directions, the shaft may extend through the sidewall of the reservoir tank, and a manually operable flush handle is mounted on the shaft exteriorly of the tank. The flush arm first end portion may be pivotally mounted to a pintle that is disposed in the base member with the pintle defining the second axis.
A float may be secured to the float rod. Here, a float stem may have a proximal end secured to the second float rod end portion and a distal end supporting a float at a selected position relative to the second float rod end. This position may be adjustable. For example, the proximal end of the float stem may be secured by an adjustable bracket disposed on the second float rod end.
To enable the engagement of the float rod with the flush arm, the float rod second end portion of the exemplary embodiment includes a finger extending therefrom that engages the second flush arm end portion. A catch may also be provided on the second float rod end portion to help position the flush arm. This catch may be a spring-biased trip lever. Moreover, the flush arm can have a slot formed in the flush arm second end portion. A pin is then slideably received in the slot with this pin adapted to connect to a tether and thus to the flapper.
The actuator shaft, in the exemplary embodiment, is a hollow tubular cylinder that includes a sidewall having a pair of opposed slots each extending partially around the circumference thereof. The first float rod end portion is then rotatably journaled on the shaft, and a radial pin mounts to the first float rod end portion and extends through the slots. The flush arm may include a pair of spaced-apart, generally parallel flush arm sections that generally open a region therebetween. The float arm second end portion is then interposed between the flush arm sections. Here, also, a pair of cam elements may be provided, if desired, on the actuator shaft. Each cam element is then operative to act on a respective flush arm section when the shaft is rotated in the second rotational direction. In any event, the flush arm first end portion has a cam surface formed thereon, and the cam is operative to engage the cam surface when the actuator shaft is rotated in the second rotational direction.
These and other objects of the present invention will become more readily appreciated and understood from a consideration of the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention when taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a toilet according to the prior art;
FIG. 2 is a front view in elevation of the flush control mechanism according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown mounted on the interior of a tank sidewall of the toilet reservoir tank of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken about lines 3-3 of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a front view in elevation of the base member shown in FIGS. 2 and 3;
FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the base member of FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the actuator shaft of the flush control mechanism of FIGS. 2 and 3;
FIG. 7 is a front view in elevation of the actuator shaft of FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken about lines 8-8 of FIG. 6;
FIG. 9 is a front view in elevation of the float rod of the flush control mechanism of FIGS. 2 and 3 with the fastening pin shown exploded therefrom;
FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the float rod of FIG. 9;
FIG. 11 is a front view in elevation of the flush arm of the flush control mechanism of FIGS. 2 and 3;
FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the flush arm of FIG. 11;
FIG. 13 is a front view in elevation of the flush control mechanism of the present invention showing the float rod in a second float rod position thereby moving the flush arm to the intermediate flush arm position;
FIG. 14 is a front plan view showing the rotation of the actuator shaft in a second rotational direction that has resulted in movement of the flush arm to the second flush arm position with the float rod in the second float rod position;
FIG. 15(a) illustrates the flush control mechanism of the present invention with the flush arm in a first flush arm position and with the float rod in a first float rod position;
FIG. 15(b) shows rotation of the actuator shaft resulting in movement of the float rod to the second float rod position thereby causing movement of the flush arm to the intermediate flush arm position; and
FIG. 15(c) is a front view in elevation showing rotation of the actuator shaft in an opposite rotational direction resulting in movement of the flush arm to a second flush arm position and with the float rod in the second float rod position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is broadly directed to a flush control mechanism for a toilet as well as a toilet incorporating such a flush control mechanism. The flush control mechanism is adapted to mount in the toilet reservoir tank and is operative to provide two flush modes, namely, a low volume flush for evacuation of liquid waste from the toilet bowl and a high volume flush for the evacuation of solid waste from the toilet bowl. In either case, however, the water flow rate is maintained for either the low or high volume flush. With the structure of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, moreover, the low flush volume discharge may be adjusted by the flush control mechanism. As is understood, the amount of water discharged for high volume flush may be adjusted with the traditional float and valve assembly of the toilet.
As is illustrated in FIG. 1, a standard toilet 10 includes a toilet bowl 12 provided with a pivoting seat 13 and a pivoting cover 14 that with bowl 12 supported by a support surface 16. Bowl 12 supports a reservoir tank 18 having a tank lid 19. Reservoir tank 18 is adapted to hold water so that the contents of bowl 12 may be flushed into a suitable waste line. To this end, a water intake line 20 is provided with a typical shutoff valve 22 to supply water to the inlet of reservoir tank 18. Reservoir tank 18 has a discharge outlet communicating with the toilet bowl 12.
As is well known, the amount of water, that is the level of water, in the interior of reservoir tank 18 is controlled by an inlet tube, a ball-cock assembly and a float ball. Accordingly, this structure is not shown in the figures. Rather, the present invention is directed to an improved flush control mechanism that controls the volume discharge of water from the reservoir tank through the toilet bowl to accomplish either a low volume flush or a high volume flush.
The primary components of the exemplary embodiment of the flush control mechanism is illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. Here, it may be seen that flush control mechanism 24 according to the exemplary embodiment includes a base member 26 that is adapted to secure to the front section of the sidewall 28 interiorly of reservoir tank 18. An actuator shaft 30 is supported by base member 26 for rotational movement about a first axis that is generally perpendicular to sidewall 28. A pintle 32 extends perpendicularly from base member 26 to define a second axis that is spaced apart and generally parallel to the rotational axis of actuator shaft 30.
With continued reference to FIGS. 2 and 32, a flush arm 34 includes a flush arm first end portion that is pivotally mounted to base member 26, and, specifically, is rotatably journaled on pintle 32, for pivotal movement about this second axis. Flush arm 34 has a flush arm second end portion 38 that is adapted to connect to the tank ball or flapper of the reservoir tank 18, as described more thoroughly below. A float rod 40 includes a float rod first end portion 42 that is supported on actuator shaft 30 and has a float rod second end portion 44 that is opposite float rod first end portion 42 with float rod second end portion being configured to engage the flush arm, again as described below.
In FIG. 2 it may be seen that float rod second end portion 44 includes a float 46 supported at a distal end of a float stem 48 that is adjustably mounted to float rod second end portion by means of a bracket 50 that received a proximal end portion of float stem 48 with the proximal end being locked into a selected position by means of a screw 52. This permits adjustment of the location of float 46. Float rod second end portion also includes a finger 54 that is sized and oriented to engage a barrel or pin 56 located in a slot 58 in flush arm second end portion. Moreover, a catch 60 is also located on float arm second end portion to selectably engage pin 56, as described more thoroughly below.
At least one cam element 62 is secured to actuator shaft 30 and is operative to act on flush arm second end portion 36 so as to pivot flush arm 34 about pintle 32 in a manner also as described more thoroughly below. A handle 64 is secured to actuator shaft 30 at a location exteriorly of reservoir tank 18 so as to allow manual operation of flush control mechanism 24.
With reference now to FIGS. 4 and 5, it may be seen that base member 26 includes a rectangularly shaped base plate 70 that includes a square shaped opening 72 located therein to receive actuator shaft 30. Pintle 32 is in the form of a solid cylindrical rod which projects perpendicularly to the plane of base plate 70 in spaced relation to opening 72. An extension arm 74 projects laterally of base plate 70 and supports a limit stop block 76 which limits the rotational movement of float rod 40, as described below.
Actuator shaft 30 is best shown in FIGS. 6-8 wherein it may be seen that actuator shaft 30 includes a hollow cylinder or tube 78 having a sidewall that is provided with a pair of slots 80 diametrically opposed to one another. Cam elements 62 are to affixed to tube 78 on either side of slots 80. Tube 78 is sized so that it may mount through square opening 72 in base plate 70 of base member 26 and may freely rotate therein. Tube 78 has a first tube end portion 82 that extends through sidewall 28 of reservoir tank 18 so that handle 64 may be connected thereto. Second end portion 84 is located interiorly of reservoir tank 18 and supports flush arm 34.
Float rod 40 is illustrated in greater detail in FIGS. 9 and 10. Here, it may be seen that float rod 40 includes a linear central section 86 with the float rod first and second end portions 42 and 44 being on opposite ends of central section 86. Float rod first end portion 42 has a centrally located circular opening 88 sized to receive tube 78 of actuator shaft 30. When assembled, float rod first end portion 42 is located between cam elements 62. A bore 90 intersects opening 88 and is sized to receive a fastening pin 92 when assembled with fastening pin 92 extending through slots 80 in tube 78. As noted above, float rod second end portion 44 mounts bracket 50 to receive float stem 48 that mounts float 46. Float rod second end portion 44 forms a distal head that includes finger 54 that creates a ledge 94 to engage pin 56. Catch 60, identified above, includes a trip lever 66 and a spring 68 (FIG. 2) that are respectively received in cutouts 96 and 98 formed in float rod second end portion 44.
Flush arm 34 is illustrated in greater detail in FIGS. 11 and 12. Here, it may be seen that flush arm 34 is formed by a pair of spaced apart, generally parallel flush arm sections 100 that are identical to one another and are held in spaced apart, generally parallel relation to one another by means of spacers 102 and 104. Flush arm sections 100 include first end portion 37 that define flush arm first end portion 36. Each of these end portions 37 provide a cam surface 106 that interacts with a respective cam element 62, as described below. Accordingly, it should be understood that spacers 102 and 104 position flush arm sections 100 a distance apart from one another that is the same as the distance between cam elements 62 on actuator shaft 30. Moreover, flush arm 34 has a region 108 between sections 100 that is sized to receive central section 86 of plate rod 40 therebetween. As noted, flush arm second end portion 38 forms a slot 58 defined by rectangular openings 110 which are opposed to one another to receive pin 56 for sliding movement therein. Spacer 102 includes a bore 112 to accommodate pintle 32.
In assembly, with reference to FIGS. 2-12, it may be appreciated that float rod first end portion 42 is secured to actuator shaft 30 between cam elements 62 by fastening pin 92 so that it is located between cam elements 62 which are in turn, rigidly affixed to actuator shaft 30. First end portion 82 of tube 78 is inserted through opening 72 of base plate 70, and base plate 70 is secured to sidewall 28 of the reservoir tank. Handle 64 is mounted onto the exterior end of first end portion 82. Flush arm 34 is mounted to pintle 32 with float rod second end portion 44 and central section 86 received through the region 108 between flush arm sections 100, as is shown in FIG. 2. Cams 62 are thus positioned to act on cam surfaces 106. Finally, a resilient spring 114, which controls the discharge valve flapper, is secured to pin 56. As used herein, “flapper” refers to any valve structure that operates to selectively close the discharge opening.
The various positions of the flush arm 34 and the float rod 40 of control mechanism 24 may now be appreciated with reference to FIGS. 2, 13 and 14. Here, it may be seen that rotational movement of actuator shaft 30 in a clockwise direction in FIG. 2 (which corresponds to counterclockwise rotation of handle 64 when viewed exteriorly of reservoir tank 18) acts to move float rod 40 from a first float rod position shown in FIG. 2 to a second float rod position shown in FIG. 13 with this movement being limited by limit stop block 76. Here, fastening pin 92 is engaged by the edges of slots 80 in tube 78 so that rotation of tube 78 advances float rod 40 between the first and second float rod positions. When this occurs, ledge 94 of finger 54 engages pin 56 thereby advancing flush arm 34 from a first flush arm position shown in FIG. 2 to an intermediate flush arm position shown in FIG. 13. This will result in a low volume flush as described more thoroughly below.
On the other hand, rotation of actuator shaft 30 in the opposite rotational direction causes cams 62 to act on cam surfaces 106 to pivot flush arm 34 from the first flush arm position shown in FIG. 2 to the second flush arm position shown in FIG. 14 through the intermediate flush arm position. This movement also advances float rod 40 from the first float rod position shown in FIG. 2 to the second float rod position shown in FIG. 14. Here, however, flush arm second end portion 38 is advanced upwardly on float rod second end portion 44 such that pin 56 is latched by trip lever 66. Again, when float rod moves to the second float rod position, float rod 40 abuts limit stop block 76 thereby preventing advancement of float rod 40 past this limit stop.
With reference now to FIGS. 15(a)-15(c) it may be seen how two different volumetric flushes may be achieved at a common flow rate. In FIG. 15(a), reservoir tank 18 is filled with water to water level “L”. Float 46 is submerged beneath water level “L”. Here, flush arm 34 is in the first flush arm position and float rod 40 is in the first float rod position. In FIG. 15(b), actuator shaft 30 has been rotated clockwise to move float rod 40 to the second float rod position. Finger 54 engages pin 56 so as to lift flapper 116 by way of tether 114 so that discharge opening 118 is opened thereby allowing water in reservoir tank 18 to discharge into the toilet bowl to accomplish a low volume flush. A low volume flush results, since, as the water level in reservoir tank 18 drops, float 46 will likewise drop thereby allowing float rod 40 to move back toward the first float rod position and flush arm 34 to move from the intermediate flush arm position (shown in FIG. 15(b)) back to the first float rod position. Since a reseating of flapper 116 and discharge opening 118 is controlled by the height of pin 56 above the bottom of reservoir tank 18, flapper 116 can reseat before the full volume of water is discharged from reservoir 18. However during throughout the duration of this low volume flush, discharge opening 118 is “full open” such that this low volume flush will be accomplished at a water flow rate determined by the size of opening 118.
In the full volume flush, illustrated in FIG. 15(c), actuator shaft 30 is rotated in an opposite rotational direction such that cam elements 62 cause flush arm 34 to completely advance to the flush arm 34 to the second flush arm position. Here, pin 56 is latched by catch at an elevation above finger 54. Flapper 116 again is disengaged from discharge opening 118 and a full volume flush begins at a flow rate that is the same as the low volume flush. As the water level descends, float 46 will descend allowing float rod 40 to pivot from the second float rod position shown in FIG. 15 (c) toward the first float arm position shown in FIG. 15(a). However, since pin 56 is latched by catch 60, flapper 116 is held open for a longer period of time allowing the water to substantially discharge from reservoir tank 18. When float rod 40 reaches an angular position close to the first float rod position, pin 56 will fall off of trip lever 66 of catch 60 to allow flapper 116 to reseat in discharge opening 118. Slot 58 is thus positioned and oriented corresponding to the configuration and positioning of trip lever 66 to accomplish this movement.
Accordingly, the present invention has been described with some degree of particularity directed to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention. It should be appreciated, though, that the present invention is defined by the following claims construed in light of the prior art so that modifications or changes may be made to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention without departing from the inventive concepts contained herein.

Claims

1. A flush control mechanism adapted to mount in a toilet reservoir tank that has a tank side wall and a flapper that is operative in a closed state to prevent dispensing of water in said tank yet movable to an open state thereby to dispense water from said tank and into a toilet bowl, comprising:

(A) a base member adapted to secure to the side wall of said tank;

(B) an actuator shaft supported by said base member for rotational movement about a first axis;

(C) a flush arm pivotally mounted at a flush arm first end portion to said base member for pivotal movement about a second axis that is spaced-apart from the first axis, said flush arm pivotable between a first flush arm position to a second flush arm position through an intermediate flush arm position, said flush arm including a flush arm second end portion adapted to connect to the flapper;

(D) a float rod including a float rod first end portion supported on said shaft whereby rotational movement of said shaft in a first rotational direction pivots said float rod from a first float rod position to a second float rod position, said float rod including a float rod second end portion opposite said float rod first end portion that is configured to engage said flush arm when said float rod moves from the first float rod position to the second float rod position thereby to move said flush arm from the first flush arm position to the intermediate flush arm position; and

(E) at least one cam element secured to said shaft and operative to act on the flush arm second end portion when said shaft is rotated in second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction thereby to move said flush arm from the first flush arm position to the second flush arm position.

2. A flush control mechanism according to claim 1 including a limit stop operative to prevent movement of said float rod past the second float rod position.

3. A flush control mechanism according to claim 2 wherein said limit stop includes a stop block disposed on said base member.

4. A flush control mechanism according to claim 1 including a pintle disposed on said base member to define the second axis, said first flush arm end portion pivotally mounted to said pintle.

5. A flush control mechanism according to claim 1 including a manually operable flush handle adapted to mount on said shaft and operative upon selective manipulation to rotate said shaft in the first and second rotational directions.

6. A flush control mechanism according to claim 1 including a float secured to said float rod.

7. A flush control mechanism according to claim 6 including an elongated float stem having a proximal end secured to said float rod second end portion and a distal end supporting said float at a selected position relative to said second float rod end.

8. A flush control mechanism according to claim 7 wherein the selected position of said float relative to said float rod second end portion is adjustable.

9. A flush control mechanism according to claim 7 wherein the proximal end of said float stem is secured by a bracket disposed on said float rod second end portion.

10. A flush control mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said float rod second end portion includes a finger extending therefrom that engages said flush arm second end portion when said float rod moves from the first float rod position to the second float rod position thereby to move said flush arm from the first flush arm position to the intermediate flush arm position.

11. A flush control mechanism according to claim 1 including a catch disposed on said float rod second end portion.

12. A flush control mechanism according to claim 11 wherein said catch includes a spring-biased trip lever.

13. A flush control mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said flush arm has a slot formed in the flush arm second end portion and including a pin slideably received in the slot, said pin adapted to connect to the flapper.

14. A flush control mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said shaft is a hollow cylinder including a side wall having a pair of opposed slots each extending partially around the circumference thereof, said float rod first end portion rotatably journaled on said shaft and including a radial pin extending through the slots.

15. A flush control mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said flush arm includes a pair of spaced-apart, generally parallel flush arm sections with a generally open region therebetween, said float arm second end portion being interposed between said flush arm sections.

16. A flush control mechanism according to claim 15 including a pair of said cam elements secured to said shaft, each said cam element operative to act on a respective flush arm section when said shaft is rotated in the second rotational direction.

17. A flush control mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said flush arm first end portion has a cam surface formed thereon, said cam operative to engage the cam surface when said shaft is rotated in second rotational direction.

18. A flush control mechanism adapted to mount in a toilet reservoir tank that has a tank side wall and a flapper that is operative in a closed state to prevent dispensing of water in said tank yet movable to an open state thereby to dispense water from said tank and into a toilet bowl, comprising:

(A) a base member adapted to secure to the side wall of said tank;

(C) a pintle disposed on said base member in spaced-apart, substantially parallel relation to said shaft to define a second axis that is substantially parallel to the first axis;

(D) a flush arm pivotally including a flush arm first end portion pivotally mounted on said pintle for pivotal movement about the second axis, said flush arm pivotable between a first flush arm position to a second flush arm position through an intermediate flush arm position, said flush arm including a flush arm second end portion adapted to connect to the flapper;

(E) a float rod including a float rod first end portion supported on said shaft whereby rotational movement of said shaft in a first rotational direction pivots said float rod from a first float rod position to a second float rod position, said float rod including a float rod second end portion opposite said first float rod end portion that is configured to engage said flush arm when said float rod moves from the first float rod position to the second float rod position thereby to move said flush arm from the first flush arm position to the intermediate flush arm position;

(F) a float secured to said float rod; and

(G) at least one cam element secured to said shaft and operative to act on the flush arm second end portion when said shaft is rotated in second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction thereby to move said flush arm from the first flush arm position to the second flush arm position.

19. A flush control mechanism according to claim 18 including a manually operable flush handle adapted to mount on said shaft and operative upon selective manipulation to rotate said shaft in the first and second rotational directions.

20. A flush control mechanism according to claim 18 wherein said float rod second end portion includes a finger extending therefrom that engages said second flush arm end portion when said float rod moves from the first float rod position to the second float rod position thereby to move said flush arm from the first flush arm position to the intermediate flush arm position.

21. A flush control mechanism according to claim 18 including a catch disposed on said float rod second end portion.

22. A flush control mechanism according to claim 18 wherein said flush arm has a slot formed in the flush arm second end portion and including a pin slideably received in the slot, said pin adapted to connect to the flapper.

23. A flush control mechanism according to claim 18 wherein said flush arm first end portion has a cam surface formed thereon, said cam operative to engage the cam surface when said shaft is rotated in second rotational direction.

24. A flush control mechanism according to claim 18 including a limit stop disposed on said base member and operative to prevent movement of said float rod past the second float rod position.

25. In a toilet including a bowl, a reservoir tank having a tank interior in fluid communication with said bowl by way of a tank discharge opening, and a flapper which is operative in a closed state to close the discharge opening thereby to prevent dispensing of water said tank yet which is movable to an open state thereby to dispense water from said tank into said bowl, and wherein said tank has a side wall, the improvement comprising a flush control mechanism including a base member secured to the side wall on the interior of said tank, an actuator shaft rotatably supported by said base member for rotation about a first axis and projecting both exteriorly and interiorly of said tank, a handle disposed on an exterior portion of said shaft, a flush arm pivotally mounted at a flush arm first end portion to said base member for pivotal movement about a second axis that is spaced-apart from the first pivot axis, said flush arm pivotable between a first flush arm position to a second flush arm position through an intermediate flush arm position, said flush control arm including a flush arm second end portion connected to said flapper, a float rod including a float rod first end portion supported on an interior portion of said shaft whereby rotational movement of said shaft in a first rotational direction pivots said float rod from a first float rod position to a second float rod position, said float rod including a float rod second end portion opposite said float rod first end portion that is configured to engage said flush arm when said float rod moves from the first float rod position to the second float rod position thereby to move said flush arm from the first flush arm position to the intermediate flush arm position and thus move said flapper toward the open position, and at least one cam element secured to said shaft and operative to act on the second flush arm end portion when said shaft is rotated in second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction thereby to move said flush arm from the first flush arm position to the second flush arm position and thus move said flapper toward the open position.

26. The improvement according to claim 25 including a pintle disposed on said base member to define the second axis, said float rod first end portion pivotally mounted to said pintle.

27. The improvement according to claim 25 including a float secured to said float rod.

28. The improvement according to claim 25 including a catch disposed on said float rod second end portion.

29. The improvement according to claim 25 wherein said flush arm has a slot formed in the flush arm second end portion and including a pin slideably received in the slot, said pin adapted to connect to the flapper.

30. The improvement according to claim 25 wherein said flush arm first end portion has a cam surface formed thereon, said cam operative to engage the cam surface when said shaft is rotated in second rotational direction.