Adjustable tank lever

Abstract

An adjustable toilet lever mechanism that can be easily configured so that it can be mounted to various locations on a toilet for use with toilets of varying design. The toilet lever mechanism is capable of being positioned on various locations on the toilet tank and still being properly positioned to interact with the flush valve of the toilet and provide adequate stroke for the operation of the flush valve. Multiple embodiments of the adjustable toilet lever mechanism are contemplated that can be can be adjusted in the horizontal plane, the vertical plane, or both and may be adjustable at one or more points along the toilet lever mechanism.

1 . A toilet lever arm comprising: 
 a first portion; and    a second portion connected to said first portion at a joint;    wherein said joint allows said second portion to move relative to said first portion.    
   
   
       2 . The toilet lever arm of  claim 1 , wherein the joint comprises a hinge joint and a hinge pin.  
   
   
       3 . The toilet lever arm of  claim 1 , wherein the joint is a lockable joint.  
   
   
       4 . The toilet lever arm of  claim 3 , wherein the lockable joint is a lockable hinge comprising a hinge joint, a threaded hinge pin and a locking washer.  
   
   
       5 . The toilet lever arm of  claim 1 , wherein said second portion is operable to rotate about the joint within a plane horizontal to said first portion.  
   
   
       6 . The toilet lever arm of  claim 1 , wherein said second portion is operable to rotate about the joint within a plane vertical to said first portion.  
   
   
       7 . The toilet lever arm of  claim 1 , further comprising a third portion connected to said second portion by a second joint, wherein said second joint allows said third portion to move relative to said second portion.  
   
   
       8 . The toilet lever arm of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one flush valve chain opening disposed in said second portion.  
   
   
       9 . The toilet lever arm of  claim 7 , further comprising at least one flush valve chain opening disposed in said third portion.  
   
   
       10 . A toilet lever comprising: 
 a handle;    a mounting portion;    a lever arm having a first portion and a second portion, said second portion being connected to said first portion at a joint;    wherein said joint allows said second portion to move relative to said first portion.    
   
   
       11 . The toilet lever of  claim 10 , wherein the mounting portion comprises a shaft and a fastener.  
   
   
       12 . The toilet lever of  claim 10 , further comprising an escutcheon.  
   
   
       13 . The toilet lever of  claim 10 , wherein the joint comprises a hinge joint and a hinge pin.  
   
   
       14 . The toilet lever of  claim 10 , wherein the joint is a lockable joint that can be locked to prevent said second portion from moving relative to said first portion.  
   
   
       15 . The toilet lever of  claim 14 , wherein the lockable joint is a lockable hinge comprising a hinge joint, a threaded hinge pin and a locking washer.  
   
   
       16 . The toilet lever of  claim 10 , wherein at least one flush valve chain opening is defined within said second portion.  
   
   
       17 . The toilet lever of  claim 10 , wherein said first portion is defined by a central axis and said second portion rotates about the joint within a horizontal plane relative to the central axis.  
   
   
       18 . The toilet lever of  claim 10 , wherein said first portion is defined by a central axis and said second portion rotates about the joint within a vertical plane relative to the central axis.  
   
   
       19 . A toilet comprising: 
 a toilet lever comprising a handle, a mounting portion, and a lever arm; said lever arm having a first portion and a second portion, said second portion being connected to said first portion at a joint;    wherein said joint allows said second portion to move relative to said first portion.    
   
   
       20 . The toilet of  claim 19 , wherein the joint comprises a hinge joint and a hinge pin.  
   
   
       21 . The toilet of  claim 19 , wherein the joint is a lockable joint.  
   
   
       22 . The toilet of  claim 21 , wherein the lockable joint is a lockable hinge comprising a hinge joint, a threaded hinge pin and a locking washer.  
   
   
       23 . The toilet of  claim 19 , wherein said second portion is operable to rotate about the joint within a plane horizontal to said first portion.  
   
   
       24 . The toilet of  claim 19 , wherein said second portion is operable to rotate about the joint within a plane vertical to said first portion.  
   
   
       25 . The toilet of  claim 19 , further comprising a third portion connected to said second portion by a second joint, wherein said second joint allows said third portion to move relative to said second portion.  
   
   
       26 . The toilet of  claim 19 , further comprising at least one flush valve chain opening disposed in said second portion.  
   
   
       27 . The toilet of  claim 25 , further comprising at least one flush valve chain opening disposed in said third portion.