IP Library Granted Patent US 9,267,275
Granted Patent B2
US 9,267,275 · App. 13/826,321 · Granted Feb 23, 2016

Dual flush handle control

Inventors: Michael J. Schuster (Shorewood, IL); Douglas C. Saunders (Shorewood, IL); Duston E. A. Stutzman (Shorewood, IL)
Assignee: DANCO, INC.
E03D3/12E03D5/00E03D5/02
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,267,275
App. No.
13/826,321
Granted
Feb 23, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

Disclosed are various embodiments for a dual flush handle system. A first handle lever is configured to rotate in a direction by a first predetermined angle of rotation to initiate a first flush of a toilet. A second handle lever is configured to rotate in the direction about a second predetermined angle of rotation to initiate a second flush of a toilet.

Claims (26)

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a first handle lever configured to rotate in a direction about an axis, the first handle lever comprising a shoulder on an interior side of the first handle lever;

a second handle lever configured to rotate in the direction about the axis, the second handle lever comprising a slot; and

a stop extending through the slot, wherein the stop is configured to engage the shoulder of the first handle lever upon rotating the first handle lever by a first angle of rotation.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the stop is configured to engage an edge of the slot upon rotating the second handle lever by a second angle of rotation.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the first angle of rotation is less than the second angle of rotation.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the first angle of rotation is greater than the second angle of rotation.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a damper disposed between the first handle lever and the second handle lever.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the first handle lever is nested in at least a portion of the second handle lever.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a bushing configured to extend through a wall of a toilet tank, the bushing including the stop.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the second handle lever further comprises a stem extending from an interior side of the second handle lever, wherein the stem is retained in the bushing.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the stem further comprises a groove configured to receive a retaining element.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the first handle lever is secured to the second handle lever.

11. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the first handle lever further comprises a stem extending from an interior side of the first handle lever through an opening of the second handle lever, wherein the stem is retained in the bushing.

12. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the bushing further comprises a groove configured to receive a retaining element.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a spring configured to return the first handle lever and the second handle lever to a neutral position after a flush activation.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a spring configured to rotate the first handle lever towards the second handle lever.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second handle lever includes a lip configured to engage a recess of the first handle lever when the second handle lever is rotated.

16. An apparatus, comprising:

a first handle lever configured to rotate in a direction about an axis, the first handle lever comprising an extension extending from an interior side of the first handle lever;

a second handle lever configured to rotate in the direction about the axis, where rotation of the first handle lever produces corresponding rotation of the second handle lever; and

a bushing comprising a cut-out, wherein the extension is configured to engage the cut-out of the bushing upon rotating the first handle lever by a first angle of rotation.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the second handle lever comprises a slot, wherein the extension extends through the slot.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the extension is configured to engage an edge of the slot upon rotating the second handle lever by a second angle of rotation.

19. The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the second handle lever includes a lip configured to engage a recess of the first handle lever when the second handle lever is rotated.

20. The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein at least a portion of the first handle lever is nested in at least a portion of the second handle lever.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jul 15, 2026
From: DANCO, INC.
To: DANCO, LLC
Reel/Frame 075986/0713 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 11, 2014
From: SCHUSTER, MICHAEL J.; SAUNDERS, DOUGLAS C.; STUTZMAN, DUSTON E.A.
To: DANCO, INC
Reel/Frame 033506/0161 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation In Part 13302924 · Nov 22, 2011
Provisional Application 61610897 · Mar 14, 2012
Related Publication 20130191981A1 · Aug 1, 2013