EP1947993B1 - Part for mounting an arm-rest member and a seat on a toilet bowl and the thus obtained arrangement - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates, in particular, to a part, which is used for mounting a member having two parallel arms (4) provided with arm-rests (5) connected by a fastening transversal axle (40) and a seat (2) on a toilet bowl (1) and which comprises a generally flat plate (6) fixable to the horizontal top surface of the bowl (1), wherein the transversal edge of said plate is shaped in the form of a bearing (62) for receiving and rotatably guiding said transversal axle (40). Said invention is characterised by that said bearing (62) has an open cross-section substantially in the form of C whose aperture (V) is open above the plate (6) in a parallel position to a plane (P) on which it is maintained and which is provided with a part (7) covering the plate (6) and bearing (62), forming means for retaining the axle (40) in the bearing (62) and comprising a spout (71) used for rotatably receiving at least one pivot (20) connected to said seat (2).

Description

The present invention relates to the field of toilets.

It relates more specifically to a mounting piece on the one hand, a member with two parallel arms provided with armrests, integral with a transverse connecting axis and, secondly, a bezel, on a toilet bowl.

It also relates to an assembly consisting of such a mounting piece, a member with two parallel arms provided with armrests, secured to a transverse connecting axis and a toilet seat provided with a trunnion. .

When using the toilet by persons with reduced mobility and / or elderly is frequently the problem of the transition from sitting to standing.

It has of course been proposed for a long time, to fix the walls of the room, on both sides of the bowl, handles allowing people to engage their hands and thus facilitate the transition to standing .

These are robust and massive handles, which require the drilling of holes in the walls and the establishment in them of dowels.

It is common for the person with reduced mobility and / or elderly who needs such handles to ask one, on the pretext that it will be sufficient as an aid to the passage to standing.

In practice, the person is arched on this handle. She is in a position of imbalance, not ergonomic, which can cause pain or other physical disorders.

Another reason for installing a single handle is that drilling holes degrades only one wall, not two.

It has also been proposed toilets whose bowl is equipped with a pair of arms forming armrests or provided with such armrests. Such toilets are not widespread in Europe, with the exception of hospitals and other medical institutions.

So, we describe in the document US-A-3,921,236 , toilets with a pair of lift arms. They form a set with the bezel, so that their lifting is done in one block.

In the document US-A-4,343,052 , the arms are telescopic and can retract downward, in front of the bowl, to release access to a person in a wheelchair, for example. This document describes a mounting piece having all the features of the preamble of claim 1.

These arms are integral with a transverse axis of connection, which is engaged in a mounting part which comprises a generally flat plate, intended to be fixed on a horizontal upper surface of the bowl, a transverse edge of this plate being shaped in step receiving and guiding in rotation on itself said transverse axis. This bearing is open downward and has, in a way, a U-shaped section reversed. This opening thus opens above the bowl, perpendicular to its upper face.

On the plate extend two protruding parts in which are engaged two integral journals of the telescope, for the purpose of its displacement from the lowered and horizontal position to the raised vertical position.

When it is desired to carry out a complete and efficient cleaning of the toilet, which is regularly the case in a hospital environment, it is necessary to disassemble the telescope, extracting the trunnions from the protruding parts, and then to disassemble the plate. separating it from the bowl, to be able to clear the transverse axis through the lower opening of the bearing.

These operations are time consuming and require some dexterity.

In addition, such a structure multiplies the number of recesses in which the dirt can be housed and accumulate, so that they are particularly difficult to dislodge.

The present invention aims to solve these problems, by proposing a mounting piece in which the organs it receives are easy to set up and remove, while facilitating their maintenance and cleaning.

Thus, it is a mounting piece on the one hand, a member with two parallel arms provided with armrests, integral with a transverse connecting axis and, secondly, a telescope, on a toilet bowl, which comprises a generally flat plate, intended to be fixed on a horizontal upper surface of the bowl, a transverse edge of this plate being shaped as a receiving bearing and rotational guide on itself of said transverse axis .

According to the invention, this piece is essentially characterized by the characterizing part of claims 1.

Due to the fact that the bearing has an open section is formed of "C", whose opening is directed towards the plate, parallel to the plane in which it is contained, it is not necessary to separate the plate of the bowl for be able to access the transverse axis. On the contrary, its extraction can be done simply by the opening which communicates with the top of the plate.

The maneuver is thus facilitated, as well as the cleaning.

In addition, the cover piece covers the assembly, forms a retaining means for the axis in the bearing, and its gutter serves as a rotational bearing for the trunnion of the bezel.

It thus provides several functions.

Moreover, its cleaning is facilitated by the gutter shape of the rotating bearing of the trunnion of the telescope.

• ledit palier et ladite gouttière sont décalés longitudinalement ;
• la platine et/ou la pièce de recouvrement comporte des moyens de liaison à ladite cuvette.

Moreover, according to advantageous and non-limiting characteristics of this piece:

• said bearing and said channel are offset longitudinally;
• the plate and / or the covering member comprises connecting means to said bowl.

The present invention also relates to an assembly consisting of a mounting piece as described above, a member with two parallel arms provided with armrests, integral with a transverse linkage axis and a telescope. toilet with a trunnion.

According to a first embodiment, said transverse axis is in one piece.

According to a second embodiment, said transverse axis consists of two distinct parts, connectable to each other.

• ledit axe transversal comporte des moyens pour limiter ou interdire son coulissement à l'intérieur du palier ;
• chacun desdits bras porte une patte d'appui transversale dirigée vers le second bras, cette patte étant positionnée de manière à venir s'appuyer sur le rebord de la cuvette lorsque les bras occupent une position horizontale ;
• ladite lunette comporte des patins d'appui sur la cuvette, qui sont conformés en crochets, et lesdites pattes sont disposées relativement à ces patins, de sorte que par relevage simultané de la lunette et des bras pour leur faire occuper une position sensiblement verticale, les crochets interfèrent avec lesdites pattes ;
• ladite patte est prévue mobile, de manière à pouvoir être amenée sélectivement ou non en appui contre ladite cuvette.

Moreover, according to other advantageous and non-limiting features of this set:

• said transverse axis comprises means for limiting or preventing its sliding inside the bearing;
• each of said arms carries a transverse support tab directed towards the second arm, this tab being positioned so as to bear against the rim of the bowl when the arms occupy a horizontal position;
• said bezel comprises support pads on the bowl, which are shaped in hooks, and said tabs are arranged relative to these pads, so that by simultaneous lifting of the bezel and arms to make them occupy a substantially vertical position, the hooks interfere with said legs;
• said tab is movably arranged, so as to be selectively or not supported against said bowl.

• les figures 1 et 2 sont des vues schématiques de côté et de face de toilettes auxquelles s'applique la pièce de montage selon l'invention ;
• la figure 3 est une vue partielle, en perspective, d'un organe à bras parallèles et axe transversal de liaison, destiné à coopérer avec la pièce précitée ;
• la figure 4 est une vue éclatée, de côté, de la pièce selon l'invention, dont la platine est positionnée sur une cuvette de toilette ;
• la figure 5 est une vue en perspective d'une variante de la pièce de recouvrement de cette pièce de montage ;
• la figure 6 est une vue partielle, en perspective, d'une variante de la platine, et d'un axe transversal en deux parties distinctes, raccordables l'une à l'autre ;
• la figure 7 est une vue partielle, en perspective, d'une pièce de recouvrement destinée à coopérer avec la platine de la figure 6 ;
• la figure 8 est une vue de dessus de toilettes dont les bras pourvus d'accoudoirs possèdent des pattes d'appui sur la cuvette ;
• la figure 9 est un schéma destiné à expliquer la cinématique de ces pattes et de patins d'appui dont est pourvue la lunette, lors du relevage de ceux-ci pour leur faire occuper une position sensiblement verticale ;
• la figure 10 est un schéma de ces patte et patin, destinés à illustrer leurs positions respectives avant et après relevage ;
• les figures 11 et 12 sont des schémas montrant des variantes de réalisation des pattes d'appui sur les bras pourvus d'accoudoirs ;
• la figure 13 est un schéma montrant un mode de réalisation d'un bras, dans lequel l'accoudoir est solidaire d'une patte pivotante ;
• enfin, la figure 14 est une vue partielle, en bout, de la patte et du bras de la figure 13.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following detailed description of some embodiments. This description, given in a non-limiting manner, will be made with reference to the appended figures in which:

• the Figures 1 and 2 are diagrammatic side and front views of toilets to which the mounting piece according to the invention applies;
• the figure 3 is a partial view, in perspective, of a member with parallel arms and transverse connecting axis, intended to cooperate with the aforementioned part;
• the figure 4 is an exploded view, from the side, of the piece according to the invention, the plate is positioned on a toilet bowl;
• the figure 5 is a perspective view of a variant of the cover piece of this mounting piece;
• the figure 6 is a partial view, in perspective, of a variant of the plate, and a transverse axis in two distinct parts, connectable to one another;
• the figure 7 is a partial view, in perspective, of a cover piece intended to cooperate with the plate of the figure 6 ;
• the figure 8 is a top view of toilets whose arms provided with armrests have support legs on the bowl;
• the figure 9 is a diagram for explaining the kinematics of these legs and support pads which is provided with the bezel when lifting them to make them occupy a substantially vertical position;
• the figure 10 is a diagram of these tab and pad, intended to illustrate their respective positions before and after lifting;
• the Figures 11 and 12 are diagrams showing alternative embodiments of the support lugs on the arms provided with armrests;
• the figure 13 is a diagram showing an embodiment of an arm, wherein the armrest is secured to a pivoting tab;
• finally, the figure 14 is a partial view, at the end, of the paw and the arm of the figure 13 .

Toilets to which the mounting piece according to the invention is likely to apply are represented in particular in Figures 1 and 2 .

Traditionally, these toilets comprise a bowl 1 fixed to the ground S, which is surmounted transversely, in its rear part, by a water reservoir 3. It receives a telescope 2, liftable around a transverse axis in the form of a trunnion .

For the sake of simplification, the flap that is likely to cover the bezel has not been represented.

These toilets are provided with a member with two parallel arms 4, which in the position of the figures, occupy a generally horizontal orientation, the free end of these parallel arms being provided with armrests 5.

It is easy to understand that these armrests constitute, for a person with reduced mobility and / or elderly, an aid to the passage to the station sitting on the telescope, without risk of falling. In the same way, these armrests facilitate the transition to standing.

In a first embodiment shown in figure 3 the arms 4 referred to above are integral with a transverse connecting axis which bears the reference 40. Halfway along this axis extends radially, a finger 41. It is oriented parallel to the arms 4.

This axis is intended to be placed transversely on the bowl, slightly behind the axis of articulation of the telescope.

In the lower part of the figure 4 , a plate 6 which is part of the mounting part according to the invention.

As shown in this figure, the plate is intended to be positioned on the horizontal upper surface 10 of the bowl, entered the aforementioned tank 3 and the opening O of said bowl.

In other words, this plate occupies the place generally used to fix the telescope on the toilet bowl.

The plate 6, for example metal, consists of a plate of generally rectangular shape, with longitudinal sides 60 and a rear transverse edge 61 facing the reservoir 3.

This edge is shaped as a bearing 62 of open cross section, generally C-shaped, the opening V opens above the plate, parallel to the plane P in which the latter is contained.

The dimensions of the bearing 62 are determined so as to accommodate at least partially the transverse axis 40 of the member with two parallel arms, while allowing a rotation on itself, without significant play.

The width of the plate 6, and therefore of the bearing 62, is at most equal to the length of the axis 40.

The upper edge of the bearing 62 is continued by a vertical partition 63, perpendicular to the plate.

The plate comprises, meanwhile, not far from its second transverse front edge, a second partition 64 parallel to the previous one.

Their function will be explained later.

Although this is not represented at figure 4 , in the wall of the bearing 62 and the base of the partition 63 is formed a small opening which allows the passage of the lug 41 when the axis 40 rotates on itself in the counterclockwise direction. This makes it possible to axially wedge the axis 40 relative to the bearing and to limit the angular displacement of the arms relative to the bowl.

For the sake of simplicity, it is not shown in this figure the fixing means of the plate 6 to the bowl 1. It may be conventional means, such as a screw and nut system, cooperating with the wall of the bowl, through openings provided for this purpose in the plate.

The mounting piece according to the invention also comprises a covering piece 7, represented in the upper part of the figure 4 .

It is intended to come to cap the platinum and its associated bearing 62, by a movement up and down.

This is for example a piece of plastic material.

In the embodiment of the figures, it is massive, ie consisting of a block of plastic material.

A channel 70, however, is formed in its body, which extends transversely and opens on its underside. This channel is shaped as a gutter and communicates with its vertical lateral faces 72 by openings 700 with inverted "U" shaped section.

The dimensions of this channel are determined so that it can cap the bearing 62 of the plate, the opposite edges of the openings 700 located on either side of the axis 40 it receives.

The width of the piece 7 is slightly greater than that of the plate 6.

In the piece 7 are also formed two transverse slots, referenced 73 and 74, whose relative position and dimensions are adapted to come and get on the partitions 63 and 64 of the plate 6, by a movement from top to bottom.

Thus positioned, the piece 7 "traps" the axis 40, which can not be extracted from the bearing 62.

Preferably, the attachment of the piece 7 on the plate is by snap elastic. However, in an embodiment not shown, its face could be provided with at least one fastener, for example screw, through an opening in the plate, provided for this purpose, and intended to engage with the bowl 1.

As shown in figure 4 , the piece 7 has, in its upper part, a gutter 71 receiving rotation of at least one pin 20 integral with the bezel 2.

This channel has a cross section C-shaped and the maximum spacing between the edges of its opening is slightly greater than the diameter of the pin 20, so that it can be easily removed from the channel 71, by a translational movement perpendicular to the trunnion.

This implementation principle is widely described in the patent application WO-2005/055792 . Of course, in the period of use of the toilet, at least one additional piece prevents the removal of the trunnion, while allowing a rotation on itself. Such means, described in the aforementioned application, are not, strictly speaking, part of the present invention.

In an alternative embodiment not shown, the part 7 could be hollowed out internally, which would give it the appearance of a box opening towards the top. In this case, it is only its lateral faces 72 which would constitute means of retaining the axis 40 in the bearing 62.

This mounting piece has several functions. It serves as a bearing for receiving and guiding rotation of the axis 40 on itself and also serves as a receiving gutter for rotation of the pin 20 integral with the telescope.

It is easy to understand that the assembly and disassembly of such a part is particularly easy.

Thus, for the withdrawal of the trunnion 20 of the bezel 2, simply extract it from the trough 71. For the piece 7, a movement from bottom to top to disengage the plate 6 is sufficient.

Finally, this operation being performed, the axis 40 can be extracted from the plate 6 by a movement directed towards the opening V of the bearing 62.

In addition to this simplicity of assembly / disassembly, the cleaning of the assembly is highly facilitated.

To the figure 5 is shown an alternative embodiment of the cover piece 7.

In this variant, the front wall of the trough 71 is limited to the presence of two identical studs 75 spaced apart from each other, but sufficient to ensure the setting and rotation on itself of a trunnion 20 not shown.

In the embodiment of the figure 6 , the plate 6 is significantly simpler than that which has been shown in the figure 4 .

Indeed, it is devoid of partitions 63 and 64.

Its bearing 62 continues with a wing 630 horizontal and generally parallel to the plate.

The lateral edges of this wing are cut, so as to form a pair of shoulders 631 which extend parallel to the transverse free edge of the wing. The function will be explained later.

The plate 6 is also provided with two oblong openings 65 which allow its attachment to the bowl by any appropriate means.

The parallel arm member 4 here consists of a transverse axis formed of two distinct parts 400 and 400 'connectable to each other.

The free end of the portion 400 is provided with a cylindrical stud 401 intended to engage in a complementary opening 401 'provided in the other part 400', so that when they cooperate one in the other, one then constitutes one and the same transverse axis.

However, this structure allows a rotation on itself of each of the parts 400 and 400 ', independently of the other.

Of course, in an embodiment not shown, one could consider having these two parts 400 and 400 'provided with a member preventing relative rotation relative to each other. It may be for example a radial finger lining the pin 401, being housed in a complementary housing bordering the opening 401 '.

Each of the parts 400 and 400 'is equipped with a finger 41 which limits the rotation of the assembly inside the bearing 62, since they are intended to bear against the shoulders 631 above.

This is of interest, especially when the toilets are said to be "suspended" or without a reservoir 3. Finally, in such situations, the arms 4 and the telescope 2 can be immobilized in a position beyond the vertical, without need to be in support against a vertical wall (wall or front of the tank).

To the figure 7 , is shown a variant of the cover piece 7 intended to cooperate with the plate of the figure 6 .

It is found that this part comprises a channel 70 which has a circular cross section, of complementary shape of the two parts 400 and 400 'of the transverse axis.

A radial complementary opening 75 allows the passage of the fingers 41 mentioned above.

To the figure 8 is represented a variant toilet equipped with the mounting part according to the invention, the two arms 4 being each provided with a transverse support tab 42 directed towards the second arm.

This tab is positioned to come to rest on the rim of the bowl 1 when the arms occupy a horizontal position.

The presence of these legs therefore allows to maintain these horizontally, without them having to rest on the bezel 2, which would compromise normal use of said toilet.

Preferably, these tabs are in one piece with the arms 42.

In the embodiment shown in figure 9 , the underside of the bezel is provided, in known manner, support pads 21 intended to rest on the bowl 1 when the telescope occupies a horizontal position.

These pads here have the shape of a hook, whose opening is directed towards the pin 20.

In this figure, the aforementioned mounting piece has not been shown. Only include said trunnion 71 and the transverse axis 40 of the arms 4. Of course, we see that they are offset longitudinally relative to each other.

By the references A and B are symbolized two positions of the arms 4 respectively in a position close to the vertical X-X 'and in another position, in support, against the tank 3 of the toilet. This position is distant from the vertical by an angle α worth a few degrees.

The tabs 42 are arranged relative to the hooks 21 so that when the arms 4 and the bezel 2 are subjected to simultaneous rotation, the hooks interfere with said legs, so that the two objects can move together.

In other words, because of the shift of the axis 40 and the pin 20, in the zone A, the hooks 21 and tabs 42 come to approach one another to cooperate, as represented by the right part of the figure 10 . They "self-lock" each other.

Conversely, simply grab one or the other of the bezel or arms 4 to bring the assembly in a horizontal position.

To the figure 11 , is shown an alternative embodiment of the tabs 42. This tab is here secured to a sliding transverse rod 420 whose opposite end is raised upwardly to form a stop. The lug 42 itself is preserved by a damping pad 43. By sliding the rod 420, it is possible selectively to bring the lug 42 to bear or not against the top of the bowl.

In the variant embodiment of the figure 12 this tab 42 is rotatably provided relative to the arm 4, as shown by the arrow f. Mounting means of known type have not been shown here, for the sake of simplification.

To the figure 13 , is shown a free end of an arm 4 provided with an armrest 5.

This is a retractable armrest. It is mounted in the upper part of a flat rod 50 whose lower end 500 has a reduced thickness. It therefore somewhat affects a section "T", with two shoulders 502 on either side of its lower end. The latter has an oblong longitudinal slot 501.

The free end of the arm 4 is formed in two parallel wings 44, separated by a space 46 between which the end 500 engages.

In this position, the shoulders 502 abut against the top of the wings 44.

An axis 45, integral with the two wings 44, passes through the light 501 and ensures a stable position to the armrest.

It is understood that by a pulling movement on the armrest from bottom to top, it is possible to bring the lower end of the light 501 into abutment against the axis 45, so that it is possible to tilt the armrest in clockwise, as shown by the arrow g. This allows to disengage the armrest down for example in certain conditions of use of the toilet, especially when the user needs room on his right or left side.

Claims (9)

1. Part for fitting firstly a unit with two parallel arms which are provided with arm rests (5) and are integral with a transverse connection shaft (40; 400, 400'), and secondly a seat (2) onto a toilet bowl (1), which part comprises a generally flat plate (6) which is designed to be secured to a horizontal upper surface of the bowl (1), a transverse edge of this plate being in the form of a bearing (62) for receipt and guiding and rotation around itself of the said transverse shaft (40; 400, 400'),
   the said part for fitting further comprising a part which covers the said plate and the bearing (62), and forms a means for retention of the shaft (40; 400, 400') in the said bearing (62),
   characterised in that:

   - the said bearing (62) has an open straight cross-section which is generally in the form of a "C", the opening (V) of which opens above the plate (6), generally parallel to the plane (P) on which it is contained; and

   - that the said covering part comprises a gutter (71) for receipt in a rotary manner of at least one journal (20) which is integral with the said seat (2).
2. Part according to claim 1, characterised in that the said bearing (62) and the said gutter (71) are offset longitudinally.
3. Part according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterised in that the plate (6) and/or the covering part (7) comprise(s) means for connection to the said bowl.
4. Assembly constituted by a fitting part according to one of claims 1 to 3, a unit with two parallel arms (4) which are provided with arm rests (5) and are integral with a transverse connection shaft, and a toilet seat (2) which is provided with a journal (20), characterised in that the said transverse shaft (40) is in a single piece.
5. Assembly constituted by a fitting part according to one of claims 1 to 3, a unit with two parallel arms (4) which are provided with arm rests (5) and are integral with a transverse connection shaft (40; 400, 400'), and a toilet seat (2) which is provided with a journal (20), characterised in that the said transverse shaft consists of two distinct parts (400, 400') which can be connected to one another.
6. Assembly according to one of claims 4 and 5, characterised in that the said transverse shaft (40; 400, 400') comprises means (21) for limiting or preventing it from sliding inside the bearing.
7. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that each of the said arms (4) bears a transverse support lug (42) which faces towards the second arm, this lug (42) being positioned such as to be supported on the edge of the bowl (1) when the arms (4) occupy a horizontal position.
8. Assembly according to claim 7, equipped with a securing part according to claim 2, characterised in that the said seat (2) comprises flanges (20) for support on the bowl (1) which are in the shape of hooks, and in that the said lugs (42) are arranged in relation to these flanges (20) such that, by means of simultaneous lifting of the seat (1) and the arms (4) in order to make them occupy a substantially vertical position, the hooks (20) interfere with the said lugs (42).
9. Assembly according to one of claims 7 or 8, characterised in that the said lug (42) is designed to be mobile, such that it can be brought selectively so as to be supported against the said bowl (1), or not to be supported against it.

Images