EP2585644B1

EP2585644B1 - Control member with alcove

Info

Publication number: EP2585644B1
Application number: EP11728702.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jurgen Hendrik Peter Jozeph Keizers
Original assignee: Easy Sanitary Solutions BV
Current assignee: Easy Sanitary Solutions BV
Priority date: 2010-06-24
Filing date: 2011-05-27
Publication date: 2017-03-08
Anticipated expiration: 2031-05-27
Also published as: ES2623352T3; EP2585644B8; NL2004965C2; WO2011162598A1; PL2585644T3; EP2585644A1; DK2585644T3

Description

The invention relates to a combination of a control element for controlling a build-in flushing reservoir and an alcove according to the preamble of claim 1. Such a combination is known from US 1943041 .
Furthermore, it is prior art to conceal a flushing reservoir behind a pre-wall. A toilet bowl is further suspended against the pre-wall and from the flushing reservoir. Made in the pre-wall above the toilet bowl is an opening over which a frame is mounted and a control member arranged removably on the frame, particularly a push plate, for controlling the flushing mechanism in the flushing reservoir via the opening in the pre-wall.
The conventional push plate is removable so as to enable access to the flushing reservoir concealed behind the pre-wall. The flushing mechanism and the inlet valve can also be serviced and/or replaced via this opening.
There is however a trend toward giving the push plates for controlling the flushing reservoir the smallest possible form. As a result, the dimensions of the opening in the pre-wall are likewise reduced and it becomes more difficult to gain access to the flushing reservoir.
In addition, it is known to incorporate push plates in the wall so that the frontal surface of the push plate lies flush with the surface of the pre-wall, which is often formed by the front surface of a tile layer. Known push plates for integrating into the wall are provided with complicated constructions to enable the removal of the push plate.
It is now an object of the invention to reduce or even obviate the above stated drawbacks.
This object is achieved with a combination according to claim 1.
With the combination according to the invention a control element such as a push plate is provided which has an alcove adjacently thereabove. When this combination is built into a pre-wall with a build-in reservoir behind it, the push plate will be situated at the usual position relative to the build-in reservoir. The alcove is then arranged directly above the build-in reservoir. The build-in reservoir can be easily accessed from above via the service opening in the alcove. In the prior art build-in reservoirs an inspection flap is often provided on the upper side of the build-in reservoir. Via the service opening in the alcove easy access to the reservoir can thus be obtained via the inspection flap. It is wholly unnecessary here to remove the control element.
The control element need not therefore be adjusted or detached in order to gain access to the flushing reservoir. As a result the flush float can be replaced in simple manner.
The size of the service opening is further no longer determined by the size of the control element, whereby the service opening can be given a sufficiently large form while the dimensions of the control element can be minimized as desired. The design of the control element is hereby less dependent on the technical requirements, such as access to the flushing reservoir.
In addition, with this combination according to the invention easier access can also be gained to an inspection flap on the front side of the reservoir. It is frequently the case that a wall of for instance gas concrete blocks is erected in front of the build-in reservoir. The thickness of the wall can amount to several centimetres. With a combination according to the invention diagonal access can then be obtained to the inspection flap of the build-in reservoir via the service opening in the alcove. This inspection flap can then be present on the front side as well as the upper side.
Now that the push plate or control element no longer need take a removable form, the construction of the push plate can be simplified. The usual frame, on which the push plate is removably arranged, can be omitted in the combination according to the invention.
Now that the control element no longer need take a removable form, this control element can further be fully integrated with the pre-wall, and in particular the tile layer on the pre-wall. A wholly flat surface can hereby be obtained, and this is more hygienic since the alcove and the control element connect smoothly to each other. In addition, less tile cutting work is required for the purpose of tiling the pre-wall in which the combination according to the invention is arranged because tiling is no longer necessary between the control element and the alcove.
With conventional push plates it is necessary to remove and mount the push plate a number of times before the operating pin is properly adjusted. In the invention however the flushing reservoir can be accessed via the service opening, and the operating pin for operating the flushing reservoir via the push plate can there be adjusted or the hoses of a pneumatic control element can be connected. Because it is possible to adjust the operating pin via the service opening, the adjusting mechanism can also be simplified. It is also possible to tilt the combination of alcove and control element, whereby the alcove is situated on the side of the control element. In this orientation it is also easily possible to access the reservoir via the service opening of the alcove.
In an embodiment of the combination according to the invention the front surface of the control element lies substantially in the same plane as the access opening of the alcove. A wholly flat surface can be obtained with such a combination.
The alcove can further be widened behind the access opening so that, while the alcove appears narrow, more storage space is nevertheless available.
In a preferred embodiment of the combination according to the invention at least one drawer is arranged in the alcove. The drawer can make use of the depth of the alcove and provide space here for storing objects. In addition, the drawer can cover the service opening and the drawer can be removed when access to the service opening is desired.
In yet another embodiment of the combination according to the invention the control element is arranged slidably such that the control element can slide into the alcove in order to enable access to the inspection opening of the build-in reservoir.
In another preferred embodiment of the combination according to the invention a door is arranged in the access opening. This door can preferably hinge or slide. The door can optionally be lockable so that a closable storage space is obtained.
In yet another embodiment of the combination according to the invention a flap is arranged in the service opening. This flap closes off the service opening and conceals the opening from view.
A further preferred embodiment of the combination according to the invention comprises a pre-wall in which the alcove and the control element are arranged. Such a pre-wall can easily be mounted in front of the build-in reservoir, whereby the wall with the build-in reservoir is finished in one operation.
When a pneumatic operation of the flushing reservoir is for instance used, it is not necessary to use long hoses in such a combination. This is because, after placing of the pre-wall, the hoses can be connected for the pneumatic operation in simple manner via the service opening.
Yet another embodiment of the combination according to the invention comprises a build-in reservoir, wherein the alcove is arranged adjacently of the upper side of the build-in reservoir and wherein the control element overlaps the front side of the build-in reservoir.
A light barrier with which the flushing mechanism of the flushing reservoir can be operated can further be provided in the alcove. A signal is generated and the flushing mechanism activated when the light barrier is interrupted.
An air extractor can for instance be provided in the alcove of the combination according to the invention. In such a case it is no longer necessary to provide a separate extractor in the ceiling or the wall of the sanitary space. In addition, the extractor in the alcove is also arranged closer to the source, whereby a more effective extraction takes place.
A lighting element can also be provided in the alcove. This can for instance be a light source which is covered with a transparent plate, such as a glass plate. This transparent plate is removable to enable access to the service opening and thereby the inspection opening of the build-in reservoir.
In addition, a radiator can be provided in the alcove, thereby saving space in the sanitary space.
Access can further be obtained via the alcove to for instance an opening for toilet rolls or to a reservoir with cleaning agent or other liquids for the flushing reservoir. As a result of the alcove there is more space to pour the cleaning agent or the liquid into the reservoir.
These and other features of the invention are further elucidated with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a combination according to the invention.
Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the embodiment according to figure 1.
Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment according to the invention.
Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a third embodiment according to the invention.
Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of a fourth embodiment according to the invention in a first situation.
Figure 6 shows the embodiment according to figure 5 in a second situation.
Figure 7 shows a cross-sectional view of a fifth embodiment according to the invention.

Figure 1 shows a first embodiment 1 of a combination according to the invention. This combination 1 has an alcove 2 and a control element, such as a push plate 3, arranged thereunder. Alcove 2 has a bottom surface 4, a rear wall 5, side walls 6, 7 and an upper wall 8.
Arranged in bottom surface 4 of alcove 2 is a service opening 9 which can be closed with a flap 10. It is possible to reach behind push plate 3 via this service opening 9.
Push plate 3 is provided in this embodiment with two push- buttons 11, 12 for two different flushes.
Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of combination 1 according to figure 1. Combination 1 is arranged in a pre-wall 13 which is placed in front of a flushing reservoir 14. Flushing reservoir 14 is provided with a frame 15 between which a cistern 16 is arranged. Cistern 16 has an inspection opening 17 on the top side. Access to inspection opening 17 of cistern 16 can be gained via alcove 2 and service opening 9.
A flushing mechanism with a float 18 and a transmission 19 is arranged in cistern 16. Transmission 19 can be operated via a pin 20 with push-button 11.
Because easy access can be obtained to cistern 16 via service opening 9 and inspection opening 17, pin 20 can be adjusted in simple manner without push plate 3 having to be removed. It is hereby possible for push plate 3 to be arranged recessed into pre-wall 13.
Figure 3 shows a second embodiment 30 of the combination according to the invention. Combination 30 has an alcove 31 with a push plate 32 arranged thereunder. Two push- buttons 33, 34 are provided in the push plate to operate a flushing reservoir.
Three drawers 35, 36, 37 are provided in alcove 31. These drawers 35, 36, 37 fill alcove 31 and further cover a service opening provided in bottom surface 38.
Figure 4 shows a third embodiment 40. This embodiment 40 has a pre-wall 41 in which are integrated an alcove 42 and a push plate with push- buttons 43 and 44. A flushing water supply opening 45, a discharge opening 46 and mounting points 47 are further provided in pre-wall 41.
Alcove 42 has a bottom surface 48, in which a closable service opening 49 is provided, side walls 50 and a rear wall 51.
After a build-in reservoir has been placed against a wall in a sanitary space, the build-in reservoir can be finished in one operation using this combination 40 according to the invention. Only the edges of pre-wall 41 have to be made to size, after which the combination 40 can be placed against the build-in reservoir.
Figures 5 and 6 show a fourth embodiment 60 according to the invention. In this embodiment 60 a wall 62 with a thickness of several centimetres is arranged in front of build-in reservoir 61. An inspection opening 63 is arranged in the front side of build-in reservoir 61.
Combination 60 according to the invention here also has an alcove 64 and a control element 65. Alcove 64 is provided with a pivotable bottom wall 66. Control element 65 can be pushed upward in the combination so that, together with pivotable bottom wall 66, a large opening can be obtained (see figure 6) along which an arm 67 can enter the inspection opening 63.
Because in this embodiment a diagonal access is gained to inspection opening 63 in build-in reservoir 61, it is more easily possible for an arm 67 to reach into reservoir 61.
Figure 7 shows a fifth embodiment 70 according to the invention. In this embodiment 70 the alcove has a bottom wall 71, a rear wall 72 and side walls (not shown). Provided in bottom wall 71 is a flap 73 for the purpose of enabling access to flushing reservoir 74 via alcove 71, 72, 73.
Further arranged directly below alcove 71, 72, 73 is a pneumatic control element 75 which is connected via a hose 76 to flushing reservoir 74. In this embodiment control element 75 connects smoothly to pre-wall 77.

Claims

Combination (1; 30; 40; 60; 70) of a control element (3; 11; 12; 32; 33; 34; 43; 44; 65; 75), such as a push plate (3; 11; 12; 32; 33; 34; 43; 44; 65) for controlling a build-in flushing reservoir (14; 16; 61; 74), and an alcove (2; 31; 42; 64), which alcove (2; 31; 42; 64) comprises a bottom wall (4; 38; 48; 66; 71), a rear wall (5; 51; 72) and side walls (6; 7; 50) extending at least between the bottom wall (4; 38; 48; 66; 71) and rear wall (5; 51; 72), wherein the control element (3; 11; 12; 32; 33; 34; 43; 44; 65; 75) is arranged under and adjacently of the bottom wall (4; 38; 48; 66; 71) of the alcove (2; 31; 42; 64) and wherein the alcove (2; 31; 42; 64) comprises an access opening, bounded at least by an edge of each side wall (6; 7; 50)
characterized in that
- the alcove (2; 31; 42; 64) further comprises a service opening (9; 49) arranged in the alcove (2; 31; 42; 64) to enable access to the rear side of the control element (3; 11; 12; 32; 33; 34; 43; 44; 65; 75);.
Combination (1; 30; 40; 60; 70) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the front surface of the control element (3; 11; 12; 32; 33; 34; 43; 44; 65; 75) lies substantially in the same plane as the access opening of the alcove (2; 31; 42; 64).
Combination (1; 30; 40; 60; 70) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one drawer (35; 36; 37) is arranged in the alcove (2; 31; 42; 64).
Combination (1; 30; 40; 60; 70) as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the control element (3; 11; 12; 32; 33; 34; 43; 44; 65; 75) is arranged slidably such that the control element (3; 11; 12; 32; 33; 34; 43; 44; 65; 75) can slide into the alcove (2; 31; 42; 64) in order to enable access to the inspection opening (17; 63) of the build-in reservoir (14; 16; 61; 74).
Combination (1; 30; 40; 60; 70) as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein a door is arranged in the access opening.
Combination (1; 30; 40; 60; 70) as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein a flap (10; 73) is arranged in the service opening (9; 49).
Combination (1; 30; 40; 60; 70) as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, comprising a pre-wall (13; 41; 62; 77) in which the alcove (2; 31; 42; 64) and the control element (3; 11; 12; 32; 33; 34; 43; 44; 65; 75) are arranged.
Combination (1; 30; 40; 60; 70) as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, comprising a build-in reservoir (14; 16; 61; 74), wherein the alcove (2; 31; 42; 64) is arranged adjacently of the upper side of the build-in reservoir (14; 16; 61; 74) and wherein the control element (3; 11; 12; 32; 33; 34; 43; 44; 65; 75) overlaps the front side of the build-in reservoir (14; 16; 61; 74).