EP2354336B1 - Toilet assembly - Google Patents

Description

1. Field of the invention

The invention relates to the field of sanitary, including sanitary units, such as toilets, sinks, sinks or bidets hanging. More particularly, the invention relates to suspended sanitary units adjustable in height, at the time of use, for example.

2. Solutions of the prior art

There are known toilets or washbasins adjustable in height electrically by remote control. These systems have the disadvantage of being relatively expensive and cause maintenance problems.

Also known toilets adjustable in height manually, especially at the time of installation by acting on an adjustment element not easily accessible, comprising a rotary handle acting on a worm. This adjustment system involves disassembly of the control plate to access the controller. This adjustment system also involves the loosening of the bowl to allow its vertical movement.

Known systems are expensive or unwieldy or difficult to adjust for common use, to adapt to the user.

Patent is known US 3,486,175 a sink adjustable in height manually or motorized manner according to different embodiments, implementing the sliding of a movable portion which is secured to the sink, relative to a fixed part.

3. Objectives of the invention

The invention therefore particularly aims to overcome all or part of these disadvantages of the prior art.

More specifically, the invention aims to provide a sanitary unit comprising a sanitary bowl height adjustable manually, which is easy to use for each use of the sanitary unit by the user.

In particular, the invention aims to provide a sanitary assembly allowing adjustment according to the thickness of the partition or the wall and so to keep a good parallelism and sufficient clearance to allow the particular sliding of the bowl relative to the wall or wall.

By "sanitary bowl" means any type of bowl used in a sanitary space, namely any toilet bowl, sink, bidet or sink.

4. Presentation of the invention

The invention achieves this through a suspended sanitary assembly as defined in claim 1.

The manual gripping means being easily accessible to the user, the latter can adjust the height of the sanitary bowl at each use, if desired, without having to disassemble the partition element.

The sanitary assembly may comprise assistance means configured to facilitate the manual movement of the mobile part.

In this case, the assistance means may comprise at least one jack, in particular at least one gas cylinder or a spring.

Thanks to this aspect of the invention, the force required to raise or lower the toilet bowl is relatively low which makes the sanitary bowl height adjustable with each use, if necessary.

The movable portion can be configured to be movable in translation, vertically, by sliding relative to the fixed part.

The fixed part of the frame may comprise two slides, in particular U-shaped, configured to allow guiding and sliding of the movable part of the frame.

The movable portion may comprise at least one pad configured to limit the friction between the fixed part and the movable part. Said at least one pad may be configured to be adjustable depending on the clearance between the fixed part and the moving part.

The locking / unlocking system may comprise a locking member configured to maintain in a locking position the fixed part and the movable part.

The locking / unlocking system may comprise a push button configured so that actuation of the push button moves the locking member of the locking position to an unlocking position allowing movement of the movable portion relative to the fixed part.

The locking / unlocking system may comprise return means configured to return the locking member in the locking position when the push button is not actuated.

The assistance means can be configured to dampen the descent of the bowl and accompany the lift automatically, being biased in the unlocking position of the locking / unlocking system.

The manual gripping means can be integrated in the locking / unlocking system. Conversely, the locking / unlocking system can be integrated with the manual gripping means.

The sanitary unit may include, especially if it comprises a bowl, a water tank for supplying water flush.

The sanitary unit may comprise a water inlet pipe and / or a telescopic (or extensible) water discharge pipe (s) so as to allow movement of the sanitary bowl.

5. List of figures

• la figure 1 illustre, de manière schématique, en perspective, une vue de devant d'un exemple d'ensemble sanitaire conforme à l'invention,
• la figure 2 représente isolément, de manière schématique et en perspective, le bâti de l'ensemble sanitaire de la figure 1,
• la figure 3 représente schématiquement et en perspective la partie fixe du bâti de la figure 2,
• la figure 4 représente de manière schématique et en perspective, la partie mobile du bâti de la figure 2,
• la figure 5 représente de manière schématique et en perspective, isolément, la partie mobile de la figure 4 incluant des éléments de fixation et de verrouillage/déverrouillage,
• la figure 6 représente, de manière schématique, en coupe axiale partielle selon VI, le système de verrouillage/déverrouillage de la figure 1 en position de verrouillage,
• la figure 7 est une vue similaire à la figure 6, le système de verrouillage/déverrouillage étant en position de déverrouillage,
• la figure 8 représente, en perspective éclatée, de manière schématique et partielle, l'ensemble sanitaire de la figure 1 vu de devant,
• la figure 9 représente, de manière schématique et partielle, en perspective éclatée, l'ensemble sanitaire de la figure 1 vu de derrière,
• les figures 10 à 12 représentent, de manière schématique et en perspective, un autre exemple d'ensemble sanitaire conforme à l'invention comprenant un lavabo réglable en hauteur, vu à différentes hauteurs,
• la figure 13 est une vue éclatée schématique et en perspective de l'ensemble sanitaire des figures 10 à 12, et
• la figure 14 illustre isolément, de manière schématique et en perspective, le bâti et le système de verrouillage/déverrouillage de l'ensemble sanitaire des figures 10 à 13.

Other features and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly on reading the following description of embodiments of the invention, given by way of illustrative and nonlimiting examples, and of the appended drawing in which:

• the figure 1 illustrates, schematically, in perspective, a front view of an exemplary sanitary assembly according to the invention,
• the figure 2 represents in isolation, schematically and in perspective, the frame of the sanitary assembly of the figure 1 ,
• the figure 3 represents schematically and in perspective the fixed part of the frame of the figure 2 ,
• the figure 4 schematically and in perspective, the movable part of the frame of the figure 2 ,
• the figure 5 schematically and in perspective, in isolation, the mobile part of the figure 4 including fastening and locking / unlocking elements,
• the figure 6 represents, in a schematic manner, in partial axial section along VI, the locking / unlocking system of the figure 1 in the locked position,
• the figure 7 is a view similar to the figure 6 , the locking / unlocking system being in the unlocking position,
• the figure 8 represents, in exploded perspective, in a schematic and partial way, the sanitary assembly of the figure 1 seen from the front,
• the figure 9 represents, schematically and partially, in exploded perspective, the sanitary assembly of the figure 1 seen from behind,
• the Figures 10 to 12 represent, schematically and in perspective, another example of sanitary assembly according to the invention comprising a washbasin adjustable in height, seen at different heights,
• the figure 13 is a diagrammatic and perspective exploded view of the health complex of Figures 10 to 12 , and
• the figure 14 illustrates in isolation, schematically and in perspective, the frame and the locking / unlocking system of the sanitary assembly of Figures 10 to 13 .

6. Detailed description of embodiments of the invention

We have shown on the figure 1 a sanitary unit 1 comprising a sanitary bowl 2 suspended, that is to say not resting directly on the ground but supported by a frame. The bowl 2 is manually height adjustable. In this example, the sanitary bowl 2 is a toilet bowl.

The sanitary assembly further comprises a partitioning element 3 disposed behind the toilet bowl, in the form of a vertical panel consisting of a wall or a partition 21 in the illustrated example and making it possible in particular to conceal a frame 4 of the sanitary assembly disposed behind the partitioning element 3. The partitioning element 3 has an outer face 8 on the side of the bowl 2 and an inner face 9 on the side of the frame 4.

The frame 4, illustrated in isolation on the figure 2 , has a fixed part 5 and a moving part 6 respectively illustrated in isolation on the Figures 3 and 4 and described below.

On the figure 1 , we can see a flush 7 control arranged in the example shown above the bowl but can be disposed elsewhere without departing from the scope of the invention.

The bowl 2 is manually adjustable in height according to the double vertical arrow illustrated on the figure 1 , making it possible to lower or raise the bowl 2.

The sanitary assembly 1 comprises a locking / unlocking system 10 configured to make it possible to prevent or allow the displacement in translation of the mobile part 6 of the frame 4.

This locking / unlocking system 10 comprises an actuating means in the form of a push button 11 in the illustrated example, visible in particular on the figure 1 . As it is clear, the locking / unlocking system is adapted to be actuated from the outer face 8 of the partition element 3, since the push button 11 is accessible from the outer face of the partition element.

The sanitary assembly 1 also comprises manual gripping means 15 enabling a user to translate the movable part 6, accessible on the outer face 8 of the partitioning element 3, once the locking / unlocking system 10 has been reached. move permission position, or unlock position.

These manual gripping means 15 are, in the illustrated example, integrated in the locking / unlocking system or merged with part of the locking / unlocking system 10, but they can be arranged elsewhere without departing from the scope of the invention. They are made in this example of a handle.

The partitioning element 3 comprises a plate 20 fixed to the movable part 6 of the frame 4 and integral in displacement of the mobile part 6 and the bowl 2.

As illustrated on Figures 2 to 4 , the frame 4 comprises a fixed part 5 comprising two feet 25, two vertical uprights 26 and two transverse beams 27 arranged at the top and bottom of the fixed portion 5 to form a frame.

The fixed portion 5 of the frame 4 further comprises two slides 28 arranged facing each other on an inner face of each of the uprights 26. The slides 28 are U-shaped when viewed in cross section and extend over only a portion of the uprights 26 of the fixed part 5 of the frame 4.

The support frame 4 comprises, in addition to the fixed part 5, a movable part 6 illustrated in an isolated manner on the figure 4 , comprising two vertical uprights 35 interconnected by three sleepers, namely a lower cross member 36, a central cross member 37 and an upper cross member 38. The upper cross member 38 has a plurality of orifices 39. The posts 35 are, in the illustrated example, equipped with at least one pad 40, in particular a plurality of pads 40, two in number per pillar 35 in this example, arranged on an outer face of each of the uprights 35.

The movable part 6 is inserted by its uprights 35 inside the slides 28 of the fixed part and able to slide in a vertical translation movement upwards or downwards relative to the fixed part 5, resulting in this example the plate 20 and the bowl 2 which are attached to it.

The pads 40 form the points of contact between the movable part 6 and the fixed part 5. The pads 40 are configured to be adjustable according to the possible play between the fixed part 5 and the movable part 6.

In the illustrated example, the total stroke that the trough 2 can travel is at least 130 mm. The bowl 2 is fixed to the movable part 6 of the frame 4 in particular by means of long threaded rods 45 as illustrated in FIG. figure 5 , two in the example shown. These rods 45 pass through the central cross member 37 of the movable portion 6 and also two vertical fasteners 46, also called spacers on which the plate 20 is supported. The spacers 46 are adjustable at four points 47, namely two lower points and two upper points allowing the adjustment according to the thickness of the partition or the wall 21 of the partition element 3 and thus keep a good parallelism and a sufficient clearance to allow the sliding of the bowl 2 and the plate 20 relative to the partition or wall 21.

The locking / unlocking system 10 is illustrated in more detail on the Figures 6 and 7 . In addition to the push button 11, the locking / unlocking system 10 comprises a locking member 50 in the form of of a bar arranged horizontally, visible on the figure 5 . This locking member 50 is secured to the movable part 6 by means of at least one pusher screw 53, two in number in the illustrated example, visible on the figure 5 . The pusher screws 53 connect the push buttons 11 to the locking member 50. The locking / unlocking system 10 also comprises at least one return element 54 in the form of a spring surrounding in this example each of the pusher screws 53, so as to allow the return to the locking position of the locking / unlocking system 10 when the push button 11 is no longer actuated.

The locking position or preventing position of the movement of the moving part relative to the fixed part is illustrated on the figure 6 . The locking member 50 has locking keys 55 visible on the figure 5 which solidarize, in this locking position, the fixed part 5. The locking keys 55 are in fact placed in the positioning holes 56 visible on the figure 9 formed in each of the uprights 26 of the part 5 of the frame 4. The locking keys 55 are positioned in a positioning hole 56 as a function of the height at which the bowl is disposed at the moment the push button 11 is released, thereby fixing the bowl 2 at the height desired by the user.

The locking / unlocking system 10 further comprises a cover 12 housing the push button 11 and for constituting the gripping means 15, once the push button 11 actuated.

Indeed, as illustrated on the figure 7 , in the unlocked position, the manual gripping means 15 are accessible and allow the user to move up or down the bowl 2 to the desired height. When it releases the push button 11, the latter returns to the locking position illustrated on the figure 6 solidarisant again the fixed part 5 and the movable part 6 of the frame 4 and thus blocking the bowl 2 in position.

The sanitary assembly 1 comprises assistance means 60 configured to facilitate the manual movement of the mobile part 6. In the example illustrated, the assistance means 60 comprise at least one jack, in particular at least one gas jack, visible on Figures 8 and 9 , two in the example shown. The assistance means 60 are configured to dampen the descent and accompany the recovery of the bowl automatically, being biased in the unlocking position of the locking / unlocking system 10 by the actuation of the manual gripping means 15. The handling of the bowl 2 is easy for the user.

The sanitary unit 1 comprises in this example a water tank 65 filled with water for flushing and controlled using the flush control 7. A water inlet pipe 66 allows the descent of water from the water tank 65 into the bowl 2. This water inlet pipe 66 is designed to be able to absorb tightly the variations of bowl height, especially by telescoping in this example. The sanitary assembly 1 further comprises a water discharge pipe discharging the wastewater from the bowl 2 which is, in this example shown, expandable so that it too can absorb the variations in height of the bowl 2. pipes 66 and 67 can be indifferently telescopic or extensible or other as soon as they are arranged to absorb the variations of height of the bowl.

The sanitary bowl 2 described and illustrated on the Figures 1 to 9 consists of a toilet bowl. It is not beyond the scope of the invention if the sanitary bowl is that of a sink, a bidet or a sink suspended. A sanitary bowl 2 consisting of a sink is described, for example, with regard to Figures 10 to 14 described below.

We have shown on Figures 10 to 14 a sanitary unit 1 comprising a sanitary bowl 2 forming a sink, manually adjustable in height. We note that the sink is at a low height on the figure 10 , at an intermediate height on the figure 11 and at a height high on the figure 12 .

The locking / unlocking system 10 comprises in this example a hollow body 70, in the form of a tube, visible to the user, extending next to the sink, whose free end carries the push button 11. As visible on the figure 13 , the hollow body 70 connects the push button 11 to the locking member 50, using a rod 72. The rod 72 extends inside the hollow body 70 and forms a return 73 provided to its free end of a securing element 74 forming a toothed surface 75 adapted to cooperate, in the locking position, with a corresponding surface (not visible) formed on the fixed part 5 of the frame, at the rear of a post 26 of this one. The stem 72, in its part 73, passes through the locking member 50, as visible on the figure 14 . When the push button 11 is actuated, the rod 72 is pushed backwards and the toothed surface 75 is disengaged from the fixed part 5, so that the locking / unlocking system 10 passes to the unlocking position.

It should be noted that in this example, the assistance means 60 comprise a single gas cylinder. The assistance means 60 are also configured, in the embodiments described, to mechanically relieve the locking / unlocking system 10.

The wall or partition 21 of the partition element 3 is not plane in this example and has at least one angle, as visible on the Figures 10 to 12 . Indeed, the partitioning element 3 comprises two side walls 71, one of which is visible in the figures.

The invention is of course not limited to the examples which have just been described.

The assistance means 60 may be different from a gas cylinder and comprise for example a spring.

The locking / unlocking system 10 presented for the washbasin with reference to the Figures 10 to 14 can be used for another sanitary unit, comprising for example a toilet bowl. Similarly, the locking / unlocking system 10 presented for the sanitary assembly forming toilets illustrated on the Figures 1 to 9 can be used for another sanitary unit, comprising for example a washbasin.

Throughout the description, the terms "comprising one" or "comprising one" should be understood as being synonymous respectively with the terms "comprising at least one" and "comprising at least one", unless the opposite is specified.

The indicated ranges are understood to include the terminals, unless otherwise specified.

Claims (8)

1. Suspended toilet assembly (1) comprising:

   - a framework (4) comprising a fixed part (5) comprising two feet (25), two vertical uprights (26) and two cross-beams (27) disposed at the top and bottom of the fixed part (5) to form a frame, and a movable part (6) which is configured so as to be capable of being displaced in translation, especially vertically, relative to the fixed part (5), said movable part (6) comprising two vertical uprights (35) which are connected to each other by three cross-pieces, namely a lower cross-piece (36), a central cross-piece (37) and an upper cross-piece (38), said central cross-piece (37) comprising a plurality of orifices;

   - a suspended toilet pan (2), integral with the movable part (6), which is manually adjustable in height;

   - a partitioning element (3) which is disposed between the framework (4) and the toilet pan (2) and has an outer face (8) on the same side as the toilet pan (2) and an inner face (9) on the same side as the framework (4), said partitioning element (3) comprising a plate (20) which is fixed to the movable part (6) of the framework (4) and is integral in displacement with said movable part (6);

   - a locking/unlocking system (10) which is configured so as to make it possible to prevent or allow the displacement in translation of the movable part (6) and which is capable of being actuated from the outer face (8) of the partitioning element (3);

   - manual gripping means (15) which are accessible on the outer face (8) of the partitioning element (3) and enable a user to displace the movable part (6) in translation once the locking/unlocking system (10) is in the position that allows the said displacement;
   the toilet assembly being characterised in that it comprises two threaded rods (45) which pass through the central cross-piece (37) via two of its orifices and fasten together at least the plate (20), the movable part (6) and also two vertical fixing elements (46), also called "spacers", which are interposed between said plate (20) and said movable part (6), the two spacers being adjustable at four points (47), namely two lower points and two upper points, in such a way as to adjust the front-to-back position of the plate (20), said plate (20) resting on the fixing elements (46).
2. Toilet assembly according to Claim 1, characterised in that the movable part (6) comprises at least one shoe (40) which is configured so as to limit friction between the fixed part (5) and the movable part (6), the said at least one shoe (40) being configured so as to be capable of being adjusted according to the play between said fixed part (5) and said movable part (6).
3. Toilet assembly according to either of Claims 1 or 2, characterised in that it comprises assisting means (60) which are configured so as to facilitate the manual displacement of the movable part (6), said assisting means (60) being configured so as to cushion the descent of the pan (2) and to accompany the upward motion automatically, being loaded towards the unlocking position of the locking/unlocking system (10).
4. Toilet assembly according to Claim 3, characterised in that the assisting means (60) comprise at least one jack, especially at least one gas-type jack.
5. Toilet assembly according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the locking/unlocking system (10) comprises a locking component (50) which is configured so as to maintain the fixed part (5) and the movable part (6) in a locking position.
6. Toilet assembly according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the locking/unlocking system (10) comprises a push-button (11) which is configured in such a way that actuation of said push-button (11) displaces the locking component (50) from the locking position to an unlocking position which allows displacement of the movable part (6) relative to the fixed part (5).
7. Toilet assembly according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the locking/unlocking system (10) comprises draw-back means (54) which are configured so as to draw the locking component (50) back into the locking position when the push-button (11) is not being actuated.
8. Toilet assembly according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the manual gripping means (15) are integrated into the locking/unlocking system (10).

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