Weighted, plastic lift arm for enhanced-function flush handles

Abstract

A plastic lift arm for toilet flushers having enhanced-function flush handles—such as a Flush Handle Night Light carrying a standard, 9-volt battery—that exerts a torque sufficient to maintain an enhanced-function flush handle in a generally horizontal position when not in use. The plastic lift arm completely encapsulates a steel or iron counterweight and thus eliminates the need to plate the metal to prevent rusting in a moist environment. In order to maximize leverage, the counter-weight is located close to the conventional series of holes for chain clips. The counterweight has a diameter as large as possible consistent with the need to preserve moldable wall thickness. The lift arm may be bent or shortened to conform to almost any existing installation without compromising its ability to maintain the enhanced-function flush handle in a horizontal, at-rest position.

1 . A toilet flusher comprising a flush handle and a lift arm, said toilet flusher being adapted to transmit motion to-said lift arm about an axis of rotation when said toilet flusher is attached to the water tank of a toilet and said flush handle is actuated by a person, said lift arm being made of plastic and comprising a socket and a counterweight, said counterweight being contained within said socket, and said socket is adapted to prevent moisture from entering said socket.  
   
   
       2 . A lift arm as in  claim 1  comprising a first half and a second half, wherein said first half comprises a portion of said socket and said second half comprises the remainder of said socket.  
   
   
       3 . A lift arm as in  claim 2  wherein said portion of said socket comprises a male dovetail member and said remainder of said socket comprises a mortise, and said portion and said remainder of said socket are sealed when said male dovetail member is inserted fully into said mortise and is cemented therein.  
   
   
       4 . A left arm as in  claim 3  wherein said mortise and said male dovetail member cemented therein are bonded chemically by cement.  
   
   
       5 . A left arm as in  claim 3  wherein said mortise and said male dovetail member cemented therein are joined mechanically by cement.  
   
   
       6 . A lift arm as in  claim 1  comprising at least one perforation and said socket is adjacent to said perforation closest to said axis.  
   
   
       7 . A lift arm as in  claim 1  that is molded.  
   
   
       8 . A toilet flusher as in  claim 1  comprising a nut for attaching said toilet flusher to said water tank, and said nut is able to pass over the entire visible length of said lift arm.  
   
   
       9 . A toilet flusher comprising a flush handle and a lift arm, said toilet flusher being adapted to transmit motion to said lift arm about an axis of rotation when said toilet flusher is attached to the water tank of a toilet and said flush handle is actuated by a person, said lift arm being made of plastic and comprising a counterweight, said flush handle comprising non-plumbing components, and said flush handle remains in a substantially horizontal position when not in use to flush said toilet.  
   
   
       10 . A flush handle as in  claim 9  in which said non-plumbing components comprise an electrical circuit.  
   
   
       11 . A flush handle as in  claim 9  in which said non-plumbing components comprise a battery.  
   
   
       12 . A flush handle as in  claim 9  in which said non-plumbing components comprise a fragrance pack.  
   
   
       13 . A lift arm as in  claim 9  that is molded.  
   
   
       14 . A toilet flusher as in  claim 9  comprising a nut for attaching said toilet flusher to said water tank, and said nut is able to pass over the entire visible length of said lift arm.