1 Regulation 3.2 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 Provisional Specification For The Invention Entitled: MOUNT FRAME FOR TOILET ASSEMBLY The invention is described in the following statement: 2 Field of the Invention [1] The present invention relates to a mount frame for a toilet assembly comprising a wall hung toilet pan and a concealed cistern. [2] The invention has been developed primarily for this application and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use. Background of the Invention [3] A concealed cistern frame is used to support a wall hung toilet pan. The frame must meet a requirement of supporting a maximum 400 kg load. [4] The present invention seeks to overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative. [5] It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country. Summary of the Invention [6] According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a mount frame for supporting a toilet assembly, wherein the mount frame can support the toilet assembly when mounted to the ground only. [7] Preferably, the mount frame comprises at least three spaced mounting points of attachment to the ground spaced in the lateral and longitudinal directions. [8] Preferably, the mounting points of attachment are arranged in a triangular orientation. [9] Preferably, the at least three spaced mounting points of attachment comprises at least four spaced mounting points. [10] Preferably, the mounting points of attachment are arranged in a quadrilateral orientation. [11] Preferably, the mount frame comprises more than four spaced mounting points of attachment to the ground [12] Preferably, wherein the mount frame comprises at least one base plate which defines the at least three spaced mounting points of attachment to the ground. [13] Preferably, the mount frame comprises at least one base plate on each lateral side thereof, each base plate defining at least two mounting points of attachment. [14] Preferably, the mount frame comprises at least two base plates on each lateral side thereof, each base plate defining at least one mounting point of attachment.
3 [15] Preferably, each base plate defines more than one mounting point of attachment. [16] Preferably, each mounting point of attachment is an aperture in the base plate. [17] Preferably, the mount frame comprises a main body and a base portion which defines the mounting points of attachment to the ground. [18] Preferably, the base portion is adjustably attached to the main body. [19] Preferably, the base portion comprises a plurality of supports, wherein each support is independently adjustable relative to the main body. [20] Preferably, the main body comprises a lower frame section and an upper frame section, wherein the upper frame section in use supports a cistern of the toilet assembly. [21] Preferably, the lower frame section supports a toilet pan of the toilet assembly in use. [22] Preferably, the lower frame section is formed as a prism. [23] Preferably, the main body comprises spaced first and second vertically extending front members. [24] Preferably, the main body further comprises spaced first and second vertically extending rear members. [25] Preferably, each support comprises a base plate having at least one aperture and a base tube extending upwardly from the base plate. [26] Preferably, each base tube is in a telescopic arrangement with the main body and can adjusted in its relative position to the main body. [27] Preferably, the mount frame further comprises locking means between each base tube and the main body. [28] The present invention also provides a toilet assembly comprising a toilet pan and a cistern mounted to a mount frame according to any one of the above. [29] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed. Brief Description of the Drawings [30] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: [31] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an installed toilet comprising a wall hung toilet pan and a concealed cistern; 4 [32] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the installed toilet of Figure 1 with a transparent wall panel to show the mount frame in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; [33] Fig. 3 is a left side view of the lower portion of the mount frame of Figure 2; [34] Fig. 4 is a front view of the mount frame of Figure 2; [35] Fig. 5 is a rear view of the mount frame of Figure 2; [36] Fig. 6 is a side perspective view of the installed mount frame of Figure 2; and [37] Fig. 7 (a) to (h) show possible modifications of the mount frame. Description of Embodiments [38] It should be noted in the following description that like or the same reference numerals in different embodiments denote the same or similar features. [39] Figures 1 and 2 show a toilet 100 comprising a so called wall hung toilet pan 110 and a concealed cistern 120. The toilet pan 110 is mounted to a mount frame 10 disposed behind a facade wall 112, providing the finished appearance that the toilet pan is hung to the wall 112. Flush buttons 114 for the toilet 100 are also mounted to the facade wall 112. The cistern 120 is mounted to the mount frame 10 and also disposed behind the facade wall 112. This conceals the cistern 120 and provides an overall neat appearance where only the toilet pan 110 and the flush buttons 114 are revealed outside the facade wall 112. [40] Referring to Figures 3 to 5, the mount frame 10 comprises a main body 12 supported by an adjustable base portion 16. [41] The main body 12 comprises spaced first and second vertically extending front members 20a and 20b and spaced first and second vertically extending rear members 22a and 22b. The members 20 and 22 are rectangular hollow section (RHS) tubes, with the rear members 22 only having one third to one half the height of the front members 20. [42] The front members 20 include respective lower ends 24a and 24b and upper ends 26a and 26b. The rear members 22 include respective lower ends 28a and 28b and upper ends 30a and 30b. [43] Lower ends 24a and 24b of the front members 20 are joined by a horizontal front lower member 31 and lower ends 28a and 28b of the rear members 22 are joined by a horizontal rear lower member 33. The lower ends 24a and 28a, and lower ends 24b and 28b, are respectively joined by side lower members 32a and 32b. [44] The upper ends 30a and 30b of the rear members 22 are joined by an upper rear member 35, and the upper ends 30a and 30b are respectively joined by side upper members 5 36a and 36b to respective mid-portions 38 of the front members 20. The mid-portions 38 are joined by a horizontal front upper member 39. At the upper ends 26a and 26b of the front members 20, a respective stub 42a and 42b extends inwardly. [45] The section of the main body 12 above the mid-portions 38 defines an upper section 50 of the main body 12, and the section of the main body 12 below the mid-portions 38 defines a lower section 52 of the main body 12. The lower section 52 thus defines a rectangular prism frame structure. [46] The lower section 52 comprises a front mounting plate 60 extending between the front upper member 39 and the front lower member 31. The front upper member 39 comprises spaced mounting apertures 62. As shown, the mounting plate 60 in use supports an elbow waste pipe 70 for connection to the toilet pan 110. [47] The upper section 50 in use supports the cistern 120 which is mounted thereto. The cistern 120 is disposed between and generally behind the front members 20. The stubs 42 provide a handle for the mount frame 10 and also provides a degree of protection for the cistern 120. [48] The base portion 16 comprises a plurality of individual supports 80 extending from the front and rear members 20 and 22. The supports 80 comprise front supports 80a and 80b respectively extending from the front members 20a and 20b and rear supports 80c and 80d respectively extending from the rear members 22a and 22b. [49] Each support 80 comprises a base plate 82 having apertures 84 and a base tube 86 extending upwardly from the base plate 82, the base tube 86 sized to be received within its respective front or rear member 20 or 22. The base tubes 86 are thus in a telescopic arrangement with its respective front or rear member 20 or 22. The base tubes 86 each comprise a longitudinal slot 87 formed at outer sides thereof and the front and rear members 20 and 22 comprises slot apertures 88. Locking means such as bolts 90 extend through the aligned slot 87 and apertures 88 to fix the relative positions between the base tubes 86 and its respective front or rear member 20 or 22. In this manner, the height of the main body 12 from the ground can be adjusted as needed. The respective base tubes 86 can also be adjusted independently of each other which provides flexibility. [50] In use, as shown in Figure 6, the base plates 82 are fixed to the ground via suitable means such as mounting bolts 94. The spaced base plates 82 provide spaced sturdy mounting points, being the apertures 84 for mounting the mount frame 10 to the ground. The toilet pan 110 is then mounted to the mount frame 10 via known mounting bolts (not shown) extending through apertures 62 of the mounting plate 60. The mount frame 10 provides the requirement of supporting a 400 kg load for the toilet assembly.
6 [51] As the base portion 16 provides at least three spaced mounting points of attachment to the ground spaced in the lateral and longitudinal (X and Y) directions, provided by the apertures 84 of the base plates 82, the mount frame 10 does not have to be attached to an adjacent wall to provide the required support. The embodiment shown provides four spaced base plates 82 each with a plurality of apertures 84 which provide a secure attachment for the mount frame 10. [52] The respective base tubes 86 can also be adjusted independently of each other which allows mounting to uneven floor surfaces, and the orientation of the base plates 82 can be modified if desired. The rectangular prism frame structure of the lower section 52 provides sufficient space for different variations of the waste pipe. [53] Whilst preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, it will be apparent to skilled persons that modifications can be made to the embodiments described. For example, various modifications can be made to the mount frame 10 as shown in Figure 7. [54] Fig. 7(a) shows the mount frame 10. Fig. 7(b) shows a modified version where the front lower member 31 is moved upwardly. Fig. 7(c) shows a modified version where the base plates 82 on each side are replaced by a single longer plate 82a, the base tubes 86 are omitted and the base plates 82a are attached directly to the front and rear members 20 and 22. Fig. 7(d) shows a modified version where an upper portion reinforcement bar 98 is added. [55] Fig. 7(e) shows a modified version where the rear portions of the lower section 52 are omitted and the front base plates 80a and 80b are elongated towards the rear and include a reinforcing web 85. Fig. 7(f) shows a modified version similar to Fig. 7(e) but where the base tubes 86 are omitted and the base plates 82a are attached directly to the front members 20 and including a larger reinforcing web 85 therebetween. Fig. 7(g) shows a modified version of Fig. 7(a) where the base plates 82 on each side are replaced by a single longer plate 82a. Fig. 7(h) shows a modified version of Fig. 7(f) but where the reinforcement web 85 is replaced by a reinforcement bar 87. [56] The number of supports 80 can thus be varied, as well as the shape of the base plates. Different shape support bars can be used as well as the use of a triangular prism frame. [57] In another possible modification, the mount frame can comprises at least three spaced mounting points of attachment to the ground spaced in the lateral and longitudinal directions only, preferably in a triangular orientation. The mount frame can comprise a single base plate only with such mounting points.
7 Interpretation Embodiments: [58] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments. [59] Similarly it should be appreciated that in the above description of example embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention. [60] Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination. Different Instances of Objects [61] As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of the ordinal adjectives "first", "second", "third", etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to, and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner. Specific Details [62] In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific 8 details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description. Terminology [63] In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar technical purpose. Terms such as "forward", "rearward", "radially", "peripherally", "upwardly", "downwardly", and the like are used as words of convenience to provide reference points and are not to be construed as limiting terms. Comprising and Including [64] In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" are used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention. [65] Any one of the terms: including or which includes or that includes as used herein is also an open term that also means including at least the elements/features that follow the term, but not excluding others. Thus, including is synonymous with and means comprising. Scope of Invention [66] Thus, while there has been described what are believed to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the invention. For example, any formulas given above are merely representative of procedures that may be used. Functionality may be added or deleted from the block diagrams and operations may be interchanged among functional blocks. Steps may be added or deleted to methods described within the scope of the present invention. [67] Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms. Industrial Applicability [68] It is apparent from the above, that the arrangements described are applicable to the building industries.