GB2152962A

GB2152962A - W c close-coupled suite

Info

Publication number: GB2152962A
Application number: GB08330721A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Neville Bider Mitchison
Original assignee: TWYFORDS Ltd
Current assignee: TWYFORDS Ltd
Priority date: 1983-11-17
Filing date: 1983-11-17
Publication date: 1985-08-14
Also published as: ES537693A0; EP0142991B1; GB2152962B; ATE32362T1; PT79493A; EP0142991A3; DE3469197D1; PT79493B; GR80960B; GB8330721D0; ES8601370A1; EP0142991A2; TR22416A

Abstract

A water closet suite comprises an assembly of a water closet pedestal basin 10 and a close coupled flushing cistern 26, the cistern 26 is suppported and located by a separate connecting bracket member, which is fitted to the back of the basin and which extends rearwardly beneath the underside of the cistern. In a preferred embodiment the connecting bracket member 128 comprises a one-piece moulded plastics unit which incorporates both supporting structure 134 for the cistern and water supply inlet pipe structure 130 for conducting the flushing water from the cistern outlet into the interior of the rear part 12 of the basin through an inlet aperture 20. The inlet pipe terminates in a spreader 132 for distributing the flushing water within the basin 10. <IMAGE>

Description

1 GB 2 152 962 A 1

SPECIFICATION

Water closet suites The present invention relates to water closet 70 suites, especially so-called low level close-coupled suites comprising an assembly of a water closet pedestal basin and a closely adjacent flushing cis tern connected to the basin.

Generally, in low level water closet suites, the flushing cistern is either mounted separately and spaced some distance above the water closet basin to which it is connected by an exposed intermedi ate connecting pipe for the flushing water or, when close coupled, the flushing cistern is mounted in closely adjacent relationship and is connected to the water closet basin by which it is at least par tially supported without there being any exposed intermediate connecting pipe.

In low level suites of the former kind, with a separately mounted cistern, the closet basin utilised is commonly of the type having a hollow rim of simple inverted open channel form in cross section extending around the bowl periphery into which the flushing water from the connecting pipe discharges at the back with a velocity sufficient for enough of the water to swirl around to the front to give a satisfactory distribution of the flushing water over the whole interior upper surface area of the bowl. This discharge of the flushing water from the connecting pipe may be provided in the form of diverging streams directed into the rim portions extending around opposite sides of the bowl, and for this purpose it is known to provide distributor or spreader device in the rear part of the basin. In traditional methods of manufacture, such distributor or spreader device has been formed as an integral part of the basin which is first cast to provide an inlet passage at the back of the bowl and, after casting while still in the green state, apertures are punched out through the wall at the inner end of the inlet passage to form outlets for distributing and directing the flushing water in divergent streams into the hollow rim. It has also been pro- posed, for example in Swiss Patent 351913 (Gebert & Cie), German Gebrauchsmuster GBM 1959497 (Kera-Werke AG) and European Patent Specification 0019449 (Ideal-Standard G.m.b.H.), to provide a flushing water distributor or spreader device as a separate part fitted into the rear inlet passage of the water closet basin.

In low level close-coupled water closet suites, however, water closet basins of the simple inverted open channel form rim type have not hitherto been commonly used and it has been usual to utilize a moulded ceramic basin having a modified design incorporating a hollow box-like rear extension part arranged to project beneath, and to support, the underside of the flushing cistern of which the outlet may connect directly with the hollow interior of this rear extension part. Also, such water closet basisn have generally been made with hollow rims of closed box-like section having a series of spaced apertures of limited cross-sectional area for controlling the discharge and distribution of the flushing water into the bowl because in a closecoupled suite, particularly with a syphonic cistern, the low head of flushing water has generally been considered to be incapable of providing a discharge velocity sufficient to ensure that enough water will swirl right around an open channel form rim to give a satisfactory distribution, even with a distributor or spreader device.

Typical designs of water closet basins commonly used in low level close-coupled water closet suites may be seen, for example, in patent specifications GB1099707 (Steventon) and GB1054367 (IdealStandard Limited). Another example is to be seen in Patent Specification No. GB1454742 (Armitage

Shanks) wherein it is proposed to provide a water closet basin with a narrow and hollow fin-like rearwardly extending integral projection for engaging and supporting a flushing cistern positioned behind a partition, this projection also providing an interconnecting passage for the flushing water.

Although water closet basins of the kind referred to, incorporating an additional integral hollow rearwardly extending cistern support part and a closed rim formation with spaced apertures, may be func- tionally quite satisfactory in close-coupled water closet suites, they are in general more complex and costly to manufacture than basins of the type having a simple inverted open channel form rim of which a typical example is illustrated in our Patent Specification GB 1307124. And, in any event, it would often be a convenience and would lead to more economical production if it were to be possi ble readily to use in a low level close-coupled water closet suite a water closet basin of a kind suitable for use also in other types of installations where a relatively long integral rearwardly extending portion at the back of the basin is not required.

An object of the present invention is accordingly to provide an arrangement or means whereby a water closet basin of a kind having no more than a relatively short rearwards extension at the back can be utilised satisfactorily in a low level closecoupled water closet suit. A further object of the invention, realised in preferred embodiments thereof, is also to enable water closet basins of the type having a simple inverted open channel form rim to be readily adapted for use in low level close-coupled water closet suites.

According to the present invention, in a low level water closet suite comprising an assembly of a water closet pedestal basin and a close-coupled flushing cistern, the cistern is afforded support and is located with respect to the water closet basin by a separate connecting bracket member which is fit- ted to the back of the basin and which extends rearwardly beneath the underside of the cistern.

The connecting bracket member may conveniently be fixed, by bolts for example, to a back face portion of the basin which is formed with an inlet aperture for entry of the flushing water delivered through a water inlet pipe.

In some embodiments the connecting bracket member may be in the form of a plate-like metal pressing, of a substantially right-angled shape for example, and the fixing of this connecting bracket 2 GB 2 152 962 A 2 member to the back of the water closet basin may also advantageously be arranged to hold and locate a separate water inlet pipe fitment in position; this fitment may comprise an inlet pipe section which extends into a hollow rear interior space of the basin through the inlet aperture at the back thereof and which is connected to the cistern outlet by way of an intermediate water supply pipe. This intermediate water supply pipe can be a further separate pipe fitment of elbow section formed of resiliently yieldable or flexible mAerial, such as a hard rubber for example, and arranged to be connected to the inlet pipe section of the water closet basin and to the cistern outlet, respectively, by push-fit engagement.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, however, the connecting bracket member comprises a one-piece moulding, formed of rigid plastics material for example, which incorporates both support- ing structure for the cistern and water supply inlet pipe structure for conducting the flushing water from the cistern outlet into the interior of the rear part of the basin through said inlet aperture therein. Such moulded form of connecting bracket member may be arranged to be detachably secured to a fixing plate which is clamped or otherwise fixed to the underside of the cistern, and generally this form of construction can provide connecting means which can readily be fitted in place during installation of the water closet suite and which reduces the number of separate parts necessary.

Also, in preferred embodiments, the water closet basin is of the kind having a hollow peripheral rim of inverted open channel form for discharge of the 100 flushing water around the interior upper surface of the bowl, and a spreader device is incorporated within the rear part of the basin for distributing the flushing water and directing it in divergent streams around opposite sides of the bowl.

When a syphonic type flushing cistern is used in a low level closecoupled suite, as previously mentioned, the relatively low head of water generally leads to a problem in obtaining a sufficient dis- charge velocity of the flushing water to give a satisfactory distribution if the basin has a bowl with an open channel-form rim. The present invention, however, also provides in preferred embodiments an improved design of spreader device by means of which this problem can be overcome.

This improved spreader device is arranged to control accurately the discharge of the flushing water in two divergent streams directed at predetermined angles upwardly and forwardly into the portions of the hollow rim extending along opposite sides of the bowl. It may also provide a third stream of a relatively small proportion of the flushing water which is discharged in a downwards direction towards the surface of the water in the sump in the lower part of the bowl.

Preferably, this improved spreader device is fabricated as a separate fitment adapted to be inserted and mounted in accurately located position within the hollow rear upper portion of the water closet basin, and it may comprise a nozzle mem- ber, in the form of a plastics moulding, which fits and locates on the forward end of the inlet pipe section or inlet pipe structure which extends through the inlet aperture at the back of the basin.

This nozzle member may have a tubular main body part internally profiled to provide an internal partition for dividing the water flow into two main streams which are directed, by internal guide surfaces or walls of internal passageways, in slightly upwardly and forwardly inclined directions through respective laterally- disposed discharge apertures, preferably of substantially rectangular cross-section, at the forward end of the body part so as to emerge with the required angular orientation when the nozzle member is correctly fitted in place in use. To provide for the downwardly directed third stream of a small proportion of the flushing water, the lower region of the main body part may be profiled to define a further passageway of rela- tively small cross-sectional area leading into a hollow forwardly- projecting beak portion which terminates in a downwardly-presented transversely-extending narrow slot or slit aperture in its underside. This beak portion may be surmounted by an upstanding profiled reinforcing rib which may be adapted to assist in positioning the device within the hollow interior space of the basin.

By way of example, two embodiments of the invention in connection with a low level close-cou- pled water closet suite assembly are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary vertical longitudinal sectional view showing the assembly, including the upper rear part of the water closet basin, in accordance with a first embodiment.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the assembly shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a front elevational view of a cistern supporting bracket component of the assembly 105 shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a plan view of the same bracket component as is shown in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a side elevational view of a nozzle member of a spreader device included in the as110 sembly of Figure 1; Figure 6 is a plan view of the nozzle member of Figure 5; Figure 7 is an end elevational view of the nozzle member seen from the left-hand outlet end of Fig115 ure 5; Figure 8 is an end elevational view of the nozzle member seen from the right-hand inlet end of Figure 5; Figure 9 is a plan view of a water inlet pipe com120 ponent of the assembly of Figure 1; Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing the assembly in accordance with a second embodiment; Figure 11 is a vertical section taken on line XI-Xl 125 of Figure 10; Figure 12 is a view similar to Figure 2 of the as sembly of this second embodiment; Figure 13 is vertical cross-section through a bracket member of this second embodiment taken along line X111-Xlil of Figure 14; 3 GB 2 152 962 A 3 Figure 14 is a top plan view of the bracket mem ber of this second embodiment; and Figures 15 to 18 are views corresponding to Fig ures 5 to 8 illustrating the slightly modified form of spreader device nozzle member provided in this 70 second embodiment.

Referring first to Figures 1 to 9 of the drawings, reference numeral 10 denotes a moulded vitreous china water closet basin having a hollow rim 11 of inverted open channel form in cross-section which extends, from an upper rear inlet part 12 of the basin, around the periphery of the bowl portion 14 of the basin so that portions of this rim 11 bound opposite sides of the bowl. The rim 11 has a top wall 15 and an inner wall formed by a depending flange or skirt 16.

The upper rear inlet part 12 has a hollow interior 18 which communicates with the hollow rim 11 at the front and leads rearwardly to an inlet aperture 20 opening through a rear end wall 22 formed with laterally extending side flange portions 41, 41, which merge at the top with an integrally formed rearwardly and upwardly directed upturned lip por tion 24, as seen in Figure 1.

The water closet suite assembly also includes a low level close-coupled syphonic flushing cistern 26, a cistern supporting and locating connecting bracket 28, and an intermediate elbow section water supply pipe 30 which connects to a water in let pipe fitment comprising an inlet pipe section 31 that extends into the hollow interior 18 of the water closet basin inlet part 12 and terminates in a nozzle member 32 providing a spreader device for distributing or spreading the flushing water and di recting it into and along the portions of the hollow rim 11 either side of the bowl 14, as hereinafter de scribed.

As shown, the underside of the cistern 26 en gages and seats upon a horizontally and rear wardly extending flat upper limb 34 of the bracket 28 which limb constitutes a top plate portion and has a circular aperture 36 to accommodate a tubu lar outlet fitting 37 of the cistern, the latter carrying a clamping nut 89 securing the fitting 37 and bracket in place. The bracket 28 in this particular embodiment is a plate-like metal pressing of sub stantially right-angular shape (see also Figures 3 and 4) having a depending lower limb 38, consti tuting a back-plate portion, shaped to conform with the profile of the exterior rear face of the end wqII 22 of the upper rear inlet part 12 of the basin 10 to which it is secured by bolts (of which one is shown at 35 in Figure 2) passed through fixing holes 39, 39, and engaged within notches 40, 40 in the side flange portions 41, 41, of the inlet part 12.

The water inlet pipe section 31 is in the form of a short moulded plastics tube having, towards its rear outer end, an integral annular flange 45 and, spaced forwardly a short distance from the flange 45, an annular flexible sealing lip 46. The pipe sec tion 31 passes through an aperture 42 in the limb 38 of bracket 28 and it is fixed and located in posi tion by the flange 45 being clamped between the bracket limb 38 and the exterior face of the end wall 22. Correct orientation is ensured by a radial rib 48 on the flange 45 which engages with a vertical slot 49 in the bracket limb 38, and the sealing lip 46 engages against the interior face of end wall 22 around the inlet aperture 20.

For supply of the flushing water from the cistern 26, the intermediate elbow section water supply pipe 30 connects at one end, by a push-fit engagement, to the tubular outlet fitting 37 of the cistern, and at its other end, also by a push-fit engage- ment, to the externally projecting rear outer end portion of the inlet pipe section 31, both ends of this supply pipe 30 being formed with enlarged counterbores for this purpose. Advantageously, this elbow section water supply pipe 30 is com- posed of hard rubber material and it can be manipulated and fitted in place in situ as a final operation when assembling and installing the suite.

At its inner forward end the water inlet pipe sec- tion 31 carries the nozzle member 32 constituting the spreader device. As shown in detail in the drawings, this nozzle member 32 is a moulded plastics element comprising a tubular main body part 50 adapted to push on to the inner free end of the inlet pipe section 31 upon which it is located by engagement of an internal axial rib 52 with an axial slot 54 in the pipe section 31. The body part 50 is divided internally by a central axially-extending vertical partition 56 defining two passageways 58a, 58b, leading to respective lateral iy-disposed discharge apertures 60a, 60b, of substantially rectangular cross-section. These passageways 58a and 58b provide internal guide surfaces or walls designed so that in use the flushing water entering the body part 50 is caused to emerge with increased velocity from the apertures 60a, 60b, in two divergent streams directed at predetermined angles upwardly and forwardly into the portions of the hollow rim 11 which extend along opposite sides of the bowl 14, and impinges against the undersurface of the top wall 15 of these rim portions.

With this design and arrangement, when the nozzle member 52 is correctly fitted and located, it has been found that even with the relatively low head of water provided by the close-coupled low level cistern 26 the flushing water discharge can be controlled so as to flow in such directions, relative to the hollow rim portions of the basin, and with such velocity as to enable a sufficient quantity to swirl around the hollow rim 11 to the front of the basin and give a satisfactory distribution of the emerging flushing water around the whole periphery of the bowl.

It is thus possible satisfactory to utilise in a close-coupled cistern assembly not only a water closet basin which need not have a relatively long integrally moulded rear extension for supporting the cistern but also a water closet basin with a simple open channel-form rim which is less costly to manufacture than the more complex forms currently in use. As basins of this type are also suitable for use in other assemblies with higher level independently mounted cisterns, if desired in some cases only one form or pattern of water closet basin need be manufactured and stocked as a 4 GB 2 152 962 A 4 standard item for a range of different water closet suites.

The nozzle member 32 is also designed to provide for a downwardly directed third stream of a small proportion of the flushing water entering the main body part 50, this third stream being arranged to discharge downwards towards the surface of the water in the sump (not shown) in the lower part of the bowl 14. For this purpose the par- tition 56 does not extend for the full internal height of the body part 50 and the lower region of the latter is formed to define a further passageway 64 of relatively small cross-sectional area which leads into a hollow forwardly-projecting integral beak portion 65 which terminates in a downwardly-presented transversely- extending narrow slot or slit aperture 67 in its underside for discharging the flushing water of this third stream. As shown, the beak portion is also surmounted by an upstanding fin-like reinforcing rib 69 which has a slightly tapering profile and curves down at its end so as to fit closely within the hollow interior space 18 of the upper rear inlet part 12 of the basin 11. This rib 69 extends axially and may be regarded as being an external continuation of the internal partition 56 within the body part 50.

Turning now to the second embodiment illustrated in Figures 10 to 18, this represents what will be in many cases a preferred embodiment. In these Figures of the drawings, references which are the same as those used in Figures 1 to 9 indicate corresponding parts. This second embodiment differs from the first embodiment mainly in regard to the form of the bracket member and water sup- ply and inlet pipe elements. Instead of these being provided by a plurality of parts, it will be seen that the connecting bracket member, denoted by the reference 128, in this second embodiment is in the form of a one-piece moulding which provides both supporting structure for the cistern 26 and pipe structure for the supply and inlet to the basin 10 of flushing water from the cistern.

This bracket member 128 is conveniently moulded of a rigid plastics material such as a poly- propylene co-polymer and comprises a tubular body portion 100, a back- plate portion 138 of bifurcated form, a top plate portion 134 having a circular aperture 136, and reinforcing interconnecting web portions 102, 102, having a stepped configura- tion as seen in Figure 13.

The tubular body portion 100 provides an elbow section water supply pipe structure 130 of which the lower arm portion 130a extends forwards horizontally to pass through the back-plate portion 138 and through the inlet aperture 20 in the rear end wall 22 of the rear inlet part 12 of the basin whilst the upper arm portion 130b extends vertically upwards with step-wise increases in diameter to terminate in an open mouth defined by the aperture 136 in the top plate portion 134.

As shown clearly in Figures 10 and 11, in use the tubular outlet fitting 37 of the cistern passes through the mouth or aperture 136, which also accommodates the clamping nut 89, and projects Into the enlarged part of the upper arm portion 130b of the elbow section structure 130. The bracket member 128 is detachably secured to the underside of the cistern, however, by being bolted to a fixing plate 104 clamped permanently in place by the clamping nut 89, the fixing bolts 105, 105, for this purpose being held captive in the fixing plate 104 as shown in Figure 11 and being en gaged with fixing holes 106, 106, in the top plate portion 134 of the bracket member 128. A seal for the joint between the bracket member 128 and the underside of the cistern is provided by a resiliently compressible foam plastics or rubber gasket 107.

As shown in the drawings, the part of the lower arm portion 130a of the elbow section structure 130 which passes through the inlet aperture 20 of the basin projects into the hollow interior 18 to provide a water inlet pipe section 131, correspond ing to the inlet pipe section 31 of the first embodi ment, which at its forward end again carries a nozzle member 132 constituting a spreader device.

Apart from some profiling differences, the nozzle member 132 is very similar in form and function to the spreader 32 previously described and need not be described again in detail. As before, it is pushed on to the free end of the inlet pipe section 131 upon which it is located by engagement of an internal axial rib 52 with an axial slot 54 in the pipe section 131, and it is designed so as, in use, to discharge through laterally disposed discharge aper- tures 60a, 60b, two divergent streams of flushing water directed at predetermined angles upwardly and forwardly into the hollow rim 11 of the basin exactly as in the first embodiment; it also provides aldownwardly directed third stream of some of the flushing water through a downwardly-presented transversely extending slot or slit aperture 67 at the forward end of a forwardly-projecting beak portion 65.

Various further detail modifications may of course be made within the scope of the invention but, in particular, it will be appreciated that by using the one-piece moulding form of bracket member which incorporates both supporting structure for the cistern and interconnecting pipe structure for the flushing water, as described for the second embodiment, a significant further simplification in the assembly is achieved which can further facilitate installation and lead to greater economic cost advantages.

Claims

1. A low level water closet suite comprising an assembly of a water closet pedestal basin and a close-coupled flushing cistern, characterised in that the cistern is afforded support and is located with respect to the water closet basin by a separate connecting bracket member which is fitted to the back of the basin and which extends rearwardly beneath the underside of the cistern.

2. A low level water closet suite as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the connecting bracket member is fixed or secured to a back face portion of the basin which is formed with an inlet aperture for entry of the flushing water delivered through a water inlet GB 2 152 962 A 5 pipe.

3. A low level water closet suite as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the connecting bracket member is a unitary moulding formed of rigid plastics mate5 rial.

4. A low level water closet suite as claimed in Claim 2 or 3, wherein the connecting bracket member is detachably secured in use to a fixing plate provided on the underside of the cistern.

5. A low level water closet suite as claimed in any of Claims 2 to 4, wherein the connecting bracket member comprises a one-piece unit which incorporates both supporting structure for the cistern and water supply inlet pipe structure for con- ducting the flushing water from the cistern outlet into the interior of the rear part of the basin through said inlet aperture therein.

6. A low level water closet suite as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the water supply inlet pipe struc- ture of the connecting bracket member provides an elbow section iwegral connecting pipe having an upper limb part which receives therewithin an outlet fitting of the cistern through which the flushing water is discharged.

7. A low level water closet suite as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the connecting bracket member is in the form of an angular plate-like metal pressing and the fixing of said connecting bracket member to the back of the water closet basin is arranged to hold and locate a separate water iniet pipe fitment in position.

8. A low level water closet suite as claimed in Claim 7, wherein said water inlet pipe fitment comprises an inlet pipe section which extends into a hollow rear interior space of the basin through the inlet aperture at the back thereof and which is connected to the cistern outlet by way of an intermediate water supply pipe.

9. A low level water closet suite as claimed in Claim 8, wherrain said intermediate water supply pipe is a further separate pipe fitment of elbow section formed of resiliently yieldable or flexible material and arranged to be connected to the inlet pipe section of the water closet basin and to the cistern outlet, respectively, by push-fit engage- 110 ment.

10. A low level water closet suite as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the water closet basin is of the kind having a hollow periph- eral rim of inverted open channel form for discharge of the flushing water around the interior upper surface of the bowl, and a spreader device is incorporated within the rear part of the basin for distributing the flushing water and directing it in divergent streams around opposite sides of the bowl.

11. A low level water closet suite as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the cistern is a syphonic type flushing cistern and wherein the spreader device is fabricated as a separate fitment, adapted to be inserted and mounted in accurately located position within the hollow rear upper portion of the water closet basin, comprising a nozzle member, in the form of a plastics moulding, which fits and locates on the forward end of the inlet pipe section or inlet pipe structure extending through the inlet aperture at the back of the basin.

12. A low level water closet suite as claimed in Claim 11 wherein said nozzle member has a tubu- lar main body part internally profiled to provide an internal partition for dividing the water flow into two main streams which are directed, by internal guide surfaces or walls of internal passageways, in slightly upwardly and forwardly inclined directions through respective lateraliy-disposed discharge ap- ertures at the forward end of the body part so as to emerge with the required angular orientation when the nozzle member is correctly fitted in place in use.

13. A low level water closet suite as claimed in Claim 12, wherein the lower region of the main body part of the spreader device is profiled to de fine a further passageway of relatively small cross sectional area leading into a hollow forwardly-proj- ecting beak portion which terminates in a down- wardly-presented transversely-extending narrow slot or slit aperture in its underside to provide for a downwardly directed third stream of a small pro portion of the flushing water.

14. A low level water closet suite comprising an assembly of a water closet pedestal basin and a close-coupled flushing cistern, interconnected by connecting means constructed and arranged substantially as herein described and illustrated with reference to Figures 10 to 18 of the accompanying drawings.

Printed in the UK for HMSO, D8818935, 6185, 7102. Published by'The Patent Office, 25 Southampton Buildings, London, WC2A lAY, from which copies may be obtained.

14. A low level water closet suite comprising an assembly of a water closet pedestal basin and a close-coupled flushing cistern, interconnected by connecting means constructed and arranged sub stantially as herein described and illustrated with reference to Figures 1 to 9 of the accompanying drawings.

15. A low level water closet suite comprising an assembly of a water closet pedestal basin and a close-coupled flushing cistern, interconnected by connecting means constructed and arranged substantially as herein described and illustrated with reference to Figures 1 to 9 or Figures 10 to 18 of the accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed, and have the following effect:Claims 1-15 above have been deleted. New or textually amended claims have been filed as follows- 1. A low level water closet suite comprising an assembly of a water closet pedestal basin and a close-coupled flushing cistern, said water closet basin being of the kind having a bowl which is sur- rounded by a hollow peripheral rim of inverted open channel form for discharge of the flushing water around the interior upper surface of the bowl, wherein:

(a) the cistern is mounted on the basin in rear- wardly offset relationship by a separate mounting bracket component which fastens to the basin and extends rearwardly therefrom in supporting engagement with the underside of the cistern, (b) there is provided interconnecting duct means arranged to convey flushing water from the cistern to the interior of the basin via an inlet pipe section of said duct means and an inlet aperture provided in the back of the basin, (c) the mounting bracket component is adapted to perform the additional function of locating and 6 GB 2 152 962 A 6 holding said inlet pipe section of the duct means in position in registry with said inlet aperture in the back of the basin, and (d) the downstream forward end of said inlet pipe section is fitted with a separate spreader de vice carried and located thereby so as to lie in a predetermined position within the rear part of the basin for distributing the flushing water and direct ing it in divergent streams around opposite sides of the said bowl.

2. A low level water-closet suite as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the spreader device consists of a nozzle member, in the form of a plastics moulding, having a tubular main body part internally profiled to provide an internal partition for dividing the water flow into two main streams which are di rected, by internal guide surfaces or walls of inter nal passageways, in slightly upwardly and forwardly inclined directions through respective lateral ly-disposed discharge apertures at the forward end of the body part so as to emerge with the required angular orientation when the nozzle member is correctly fitted in place in use.

3. A low level water-closet suite as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the lower region of the main body part of the spreader device is profiled to de fine a further passageway of relatively small cross sectional area leading into a hollow forwardly-proj ecting beak portion which terminates in a down ward ly-p resented transversely-extending narrow 95 slot or slit aperture in its underside to provide for a downwardly directed third stream of a minor pro portion of the flushing water.

4. A low level water-closet suite as claimed in Claim 2 or 3, wherein the tubular main body part of the spreader device includes locating means adapted to engage with co-operating locating means upon the flushing water inlet pipe section.

5. A low level water closet suite as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the mounting bracket component is fabricated as a hollow one piece unitary body which provides both a load bearing supporting and locating structure for the cistern and also the interconnecting duct means, said interconnecting duct means being integrally formed therewith so that said bracket component, in being fastened to the basin, functions to locate and hold said inlet pipe section of the duct means in position in registry with said inlet aperture in the back of the basin.

6. A low level water-closet suite as claimed in any of the preceding claims,-wherein the intercon necting duct means comprises an elbow section flush pipe structure formed by an integral tubular body portion of the bracket component of which a lower horizontal ly-extending limb provides said in let pipe section and an upright upper limb receives an outlet fitting of the cistern through which the flushing water is delivered into said duct means.

7. A low level water-closet suite as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the mounting bracket component is adapted to be fastened to the back of the basin by means of fasteners engageable with a back-piate portion of said bracket compo nent.

8. A low level water-closet suite as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the upright upper limb of the elbow section flush pipe structure increases in diameter towards the top forming a funnel-like entrance which surrounds the outlet fitting of the cistern.

9. A low level water closet suite as claimed in Claim 6 or 8, wherein the mounting bracket component is adapted to be fastened to the back of the basin by means of fasteners engageable with a back-plate portion of said bracket component.

10. A low level water-closet suite as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the upper limb of the elbow section flush pipe structure is integrally connected to a top plate portion of the bracket component which engages the underside of the cistern, and integral reinforcing webs extend between the lower and upper limbs of said elbow section pipe structure and between said bracket top plate portion and back-plate portion.

11. A low level water-closet suite as claimed in claim 10, wherein the underside of the cistern is provided with a fixing plate to which the top plate portion of the bracket component is fixed by clamping fastening means with deformable sealing means interposed therebetween.

12. A low level water-closet suite as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the mounting bracket component is a unitary moulding formed of rigid plastics material.

13. A low level water closet suite comprising an assembly of a water closet pedestal basin and a close-coupled flushing cistern, interconnected by connecting means constructed and arranged substantially as herein described and illustrated with reference to Figure 1 to 9 of the accompanying drawings.