GB2247254A - Overflow fitting for flushing cistern - Google Patents

Abstract

A flushing cistern 10 has an overflow assembly comprising a pipe 18 and tundish bowl 20 connected to a flush pipe 24 with an air gap between the pipe 18 and the tundish bowl 20 to give an audible and visible warning of overflow condition. The tundish bowl 20 is supported by a bracket 26 which is itself supported by attachment round the cistern overflow pipe 18. By this means the overflow cistern is firmly affixed to the cistern and independent of the spacing of an adjacent back wall. <IMAGE>

Description

CISTERN This invention relates to improvements in cisterns and in particular to flushing cisterns for WC's.

Regulations or Bye Laws in the UK provide that a flushing cistern shall be provided with an external overflow so that in the event of a faulty ball valve or the like which results in over filling of the cistern the escape of water will be visible. In cases where it is not possible to take the overflow to an outside wall, any overflowing water must be discharged in such a manner that the waterflow is visible or at least visually indicated. One such method of achieving this end is described in British patent number 1264316 and is referred to hereafter as a "tundish" overflow system. In this, an overflow pipe is located above a bowl connected to the waste so that water flowing through the pipe can be visibly seen dropping into the bowl through the air gap. The water may then be carried direct to a flushpipe or other waste system or appliance.

One problem with this arrangement is the anchoring of the overflow system. Hitherto this is generally been achieved by providing a bracket with a backplate which is affixed to an adjacent wall. This method is complicated by the fact that the distance from the adjacent wall to the centre of the overflow pipe may vary considerably and further more it is labour intensive in that time consuming plugging and screwing into the wall is involved.

The invention seeks to provide a Tundish overflow system for a flushing cistern improved in the above respects.

According to the present invention there is provided a flushing cistern having an overflow assembly external thereto including an air gap characterised in that the portions of the overflow on either side of the air gap are held by a bracket attached to the cistern.

Where the overflow is a side fitting type the bracket may comprise a right angled bracket designed on one arm to receive the cup of a tundish system and on the other to attach to the cistern around the overflow pipe. Where the cistern has a bottom overflow system, a bracket having a double right angled bend may be provided to support the tundish bowl.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a flushing cistern having a side overflow in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a side view corresponding to figure 1; Figure 3 is a similar view to figure 1 with a bottom overflow; and Figure 4 is a side view correspondig to figure 3.

Referring to the drawings, and in particular figures 1 and 2, a flushing cistern for a WC is generally designated 10 and comprises a tank portion 12 and lid 14. The normal water level within the cistern is indicated by the dotted line 16. A side overflow is provided above the waterline and comprises a pipe 18 having a 900 bend affixed into the side of the tank 12. Immediately below the pipe 18 is a tundish bowl 20 in turn connected to a pipe 22 leading to a flushpipe 24. In accordance with the invention, the tundish bowl 20 is supported in a bracket 26 which is generally right angled. The other arm of the bracket 26 to that supporting the tundish bowl 20 is affixed to the cistern around the overflow pipe 18. By this means the overflow system is firmly affixed to the cistern and independent of spacing of an adjacent back wall.

Moreover drilling and plugging of an adjacent wal is illiminated.

The operation of the device is as known in the art.

Should a faulty ball valve cause the wate level 16 to rise above the overflow outlet water will flow through the pipe 18 and through the air gap between it and the tundish bowl 20, through the pipe 22 into the pipe 24 and thus to waste.

The water flowing from the overflow pipe 18 into the bowl 20 through an air gap is visible and audible and provides the necessary warning that a water leak is taking place.

Turning now to figures 3 and 4 an entirely equivalent system is shown where a bottom overflow is employed, and like numerals will be used for like parts. The overflow pipe 18a does not have a right angled bend but extends upwardly above the water level 16 within the tank 12.

Nevertheless its lower portion is located immediately above a tundish bowl 20 as before. In this case the bracket 26a has a double right angled bend giving rise to two opposed end faced portions 28,30. the lower portion 28 supports the tundish bowl 20 as before while the upper portion 30 is secured around the overflow pipe 18a by means of a suitable nut or the like 32. Operation of the device is as before.

The device of the invention provides a simple and inexpensive way of fixing tundish overflow systems.

Claims (4)

1. A flushing cistern having an overflow assembly external thereto including an air gap characterised in the portions of the overflow on either side of the air gap and held by a bracket attached to the system.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1 in which the overflow is a side fitting and the bracket comprises a right angle bracket designed on one arm to receive the cup of a tundish system and on the other to attach to the cistern around the overflow pipe.

3. A system as claimed in claim 1 having a bottom overflow cistern wherein the bracket has a double right angle bend to support the tundish bowl.

4. A flushing cistern substantially hereinbefore described with reference to and is illustrated in the accompanying drawings.