Toilet Flush Mechanism for Dementia Patients

Abstract

A toilet flush mechanism comprising a tubular conduit for a long flexible element which translates within conduit and connects a toilet flapper valve to a grip handle or chain pull which is located at an inconspicuous location outside the toilet tank for the purpose of preventing flushing by toddlers or individuals with dementia.

As related to a toilet flush mechanism for the purpose of restricted access, I claim: 
     
         1 . A tubular conduit having longitudinal midsection of generally horizontal orientation, down-turned bends of approximately 90 degree radii on each outboard portion, each bend oriented in a plane common to the other; a flexible element encapsulated within and extending beyond each end of said tubular conduit, nutating within said tubular conduit; said tubular conduit attached to elongated support structure. 
     
     
         2 . The flexible element of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible element is a chain encapsulated within and extending beyond each end of said tubular conduit, nutating within said tubular conduit. 
     
     
         3 . The flexible element of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible element is composed of a thin elongated thread of plastic material, nutating within said tubular conduit. 
     
     
         4 . The elongated support structure of  claim 1 , further comprising a first element which telescopes within the second element, thereby being adjustable in length, having connector as non-permanent attachment means for tubular conduit of  claim 1 , outboard portions of each element bent downward, thereby capturing rim portion of toilet tank to prevent lateral movement relative to toilet tank. 
     
     
         5 . The flexible element of  claim 1  further including a weight attached to the portion of said flexible element which extends externally from the inward portion of said chain tube, acting as a retractive force upon said flexible element. 
     
     
         6 . The weight of  claim 5 , said weight having hollow central portion of a dimension accommodating the flexible element of  claim 1  within said hollow central portion, a stop clip attachable to the flexible element, thereby limiting downward movement of weight relative to the flexible element. 
     
     
         7 . A stop clip of  claim 6  with detachable and attachable connection to the flexible element of  claim 1 , thereby restricting excessive retraction of said flexible element into tubular conduit of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         8 . A stop clip of  claim 6  made of circular flexible material having a slit the approximate length of the radius of said clip, said slot extending inward to a central small hole of a dimension which locks onto the flexible element of  claim 2 . 
     
     
         9 . Spacer members lying upon a substantial portion of top rim of toilet tank, of height dimension adequate to provide clearance between toilet tank and toilet tank lid for tubular conduit of  claim 1 , and of length dimension which provides adequate clearance between said spacer members to create one or more air exchange gaps which allow unrestricted air movement. 
     
     
         10 . Spacer members of  claim 9  comprised of semi-rigid foam material. 
     
     
         11 . Spacer members of  claim 9  further including a self-adhesive layer coating one side of said spacer member. 
     
     
         12 . A kit for constructing toilet flush mechanism comprising:
 A tubular conduit having longitudinal midsection of generally horizontal orientation with down-turned outboard portions of approximately 90 degree radii, each oriented in a plane common to the other; a flexible element encapsulated within and extending beyond said tubular conduit, nutating within said tubular conduit; elongated support structure for tubular conduit; spacer member material of continuous length, said material of foam composition, or similar material easily cut to length by installer, said material having self-adhesive surface on one side.   
     
     
         13 . A toilet comprising:
 a tank providing a reservoir of water for flushing the toilet;   a flapper valve positioned at the bottom of the tank and hinging between an open position allowing water to flow from the tank and a closed position blocking water from flowing from the tank so that the tank can fill with water;   a handle affixed to a front surface of the tank and having a lever adaptable for opening the flapper valve by connecting the lever to the flapper valve but disconnected therefrom;   a flexible tension member attached at a first end to the flapper valve to move the flapper valve from the closed position to the open position and having a second end extending out of the tank over a tank sidewall removed from the front surface of the tank; and guide members for conducting the flexible tension member upward from the flapper valve and laterally out over the tank sidewall under a tank lid.