GB2250304A

GB2250304A - Demountable syphon for W.C. cistern

Info

Publication number: GB2250304A
Application number: GB9123650A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Harry Hardy
Original assignee: Polypipe PLC
Current assignee: Polypipe PLC
Priority date: 1990-11-27
Filing date: 1991-11-07
Publication date: 1992-06-03
Anticipated expiration: 2011-11-07
Also published as: EP0488543A1; GB2250304B; GB9123650D0; IE69261B1; PT99607A; IE913945A1

Abstract

A two or three part demountable syphon apparatus (1) for a cistern, contains releasable interconnection means (4) whereby the parts are secured together, and slidable interconnection means (10) whereby the parts are rigidly held together in a desired spatial relation at a lower part of the apparatus. The releasable means (4) suitably comprises a double start lock nut and thread arrangement, and the slidable means (10) suitably comprises at least one tongue on the leg of the apparatus and a complementary groove or grooves on the bell housing. <IMAGE>

Description

2 2 5 03,') 4 SYPHW APPARATUS The invention relates to syphon apparatus.

syphon apparatus is generally well-known, and usually conprises a bell chamber or the like connected with a U- or J- shaped discharge part which is adapted to be secured to a cistern wall so that water flow can, after initiating by a diaphragm in the bell chamber, move by syphonic action to say a lavatory bowl for flushing sane. Such apparatus samtimes needs attention in the form of provision of a replacement for the diaphragm. This has the disadvantage that the diaphragm is not readily accessible. Moreover, it is often necessary for a particular syphon system to be used in cisterns of various designs, and this facility is not readily available with existing systems.

It is accordingly an object of the invention to seek to mitigate these disadvantages.

A=ording to the invention there is provided syphon apparatus for a cistern, cmprising separate interconnectible syphon portions each having interconnectible mans which on interconnectim are adapted to provide a syphon apparatus of variable dimensions.

using the invention it is possible to provide a syphon systemr of changed length and/or one which can be mounted in cisterns of various shapes, that is cisterns which have various types of bases, for example round, square, oval or parallelepiped.

The interconnectible means may cemprise ccwplementary means on, in use, respectively upwardly and downwardly facing legs or limbs of the portions. This provides a relatively simple construction.

The ccoplemntary means may ccoprise a double start lock nut and thread arrangement. This provides a relatively readily manipulable connection which can be operated in a cistern.

The interconnectible means may ccrnprise a slidable connection on each of two laterally displaced (in use) parts of the apparatus. This provides for a rigid connection between the parts without canting or skewing, at a lower part of the apparatus (in use).

The slidable connection may comprise a tongue on a leg of the apparatus and a groove on a bell housing of the apparatus. This provides for a positive connection which is nevertheless readily cperable.

There may be two cpposed tongues on the leg and ccoplementary grooves on the bell housing. This again provides a positive fixing.

The or each tongue may have a tapered portion. This provides for ease of assembly and disconnection.

The tongue may have means whereby to latch the bell housing in position. This construction seeks to provide against disengagement.

The neans may ccuprise a notch at or adi acent the base of the tongue. This provides for ease of manufacture during say nx)ulding.

Syphon apparatus embodying the invention is hereinafter described, by way of example, with reference to the acccrnpanying drawings.

Figs. 1 to 3 sluy.7 side elevational views (Fig. 2 being in longitudinal section) of various syphon apparatus according to the invention assembled; Figs. 4 to 6 show views similar to Figs. 1 to 3, but with apparatus disassembled; Fig. 7 shows a part of a leg of syphon apparatus according to the invention, in elevation,; and Fig. 8 shows a plan view of part of a bell housing of syphon apparatus according to the invention.

Referring to the drawings, in which like parts are identified by like numerals, there is shown syphon apparatus 1 for a cistern, ccoprising interconnectible syphon portions 2, 3 for assembly to provide a syphon apparatus 1 of variable dini-=ion. The apparatus 1 is in three pieces.

Thus the portion 2, which is a downleg, can be provided in a variety of lengths, say in eight different lengths as in the entx)diwmts shown whereby the syphon apparatus 1 can be mounted in a variety of lengths of cistern# and in a variety of base shape or dimensions of cisterns for example, round, square, oval or parallelepiped.

The portions 2, 3 are secured together by interconnecting means 4 such as a double start nut 5 and thread 6 arrangement on respective downwardly and upwardly (in use) facing portions, with a seal means such as an 0- ring 7 incorporated therein.

The portion 3 is a "U" tube, a leg 8 of which connects with a bell housing 9 or syphon body. The leg 8 may be provided in a variety of lengths like the downleg 2, for example, eight lengths so that the apparatus 1 can be mounted in a variety of cisterns of different size.

TO assemble the apparatus 1 the leg 8 is attached to the body 9 by associated nut 5 and thread 6, and O-ring 7 and is then slid down to connect with the leg 2. The downleg 2 nut 5 is then tightened up to provide an assembled apparatus. In all the embodiments, the downleg 2 and bell housing 9 are also interconnectible by sliding interconnectible means 10.

In Figs. 1 to 6, this ccirprises an upstanding spigot 11 on a bracket on the leg and a socket or through bore 12 in a bracket projecting from the bell housing 9. In use, the part 3 is offered up to and lowered towards the part 2 and, with the spigot 11 and socket 12 aligned, the spigot 11 enters the socket 12 in effect to tie the two parts 2, 3 together. The parts 2, 3 can be disconnected by lifting the part 3 of the part 2 when the nut 5 is unscrewed, so lifting the socket 12 clear of the spigot 11.

Referring now to Figs. 7 and 8, the upper part of the leg is not shown, and is identical to the parts shown in Figs. 1 to 6, as is the part 3 which is also not shown and which rises fran the bell housing 9 in the manner shown in Figs. 1-6.

In Pigs. 7 and 8, there is shown an embodiment in which the leg 2 and bell housing 9 are tied together by intercannectible means 10 in the form of a sl J dable connection ccoprising two opposed tongues or wings 13 which a integral with and project from the external surface of the leg 2 on a chord thereof.

Each tongue or wing 13 projects outwardly from the body 2, and has an upper inclined or tapered part 14 leading to a part 15 which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal arm of the leg 2. one tongue or wing 13 has a latch mans in. the form of a notch or indent 16. Ccaplementary interconnection means ccaprises a groove defined by two facing groove parts 17 in a bracket 18 which is integral with and projects fram the bell housing 9 and which bracket 18 has a concave part 19 to acccmTcdate the curve of the body of the leg 2 in use. The lateral extent of the groove 17 defined by the groove parts is equal to or just greater than the lateral extent of the tongues or wings 13, and the width of the groove 17 is equal to or just greater than the thickness of the material of the tongues on wings 13.

In use, when part 3 is offered up vertically to the leg 2 and lowered in relation thereto, the bracket 18 slides over the tongues or wings 13 as those tongues enter the groove 17. The bracket 18 slides down to the latch or recess 16, and a part 20 of the bracket 18 can snap engage therein to provide firm fixing. The syphon apparatus so assembled, as with the Figs. 1 - 6 embodiments, is by the interconnection means 10 rendered a rigid structure which is tied together by the interconnection means so that even when stresses occur in use, a skewing or canting tendency is overccme and the parts 2, 3 of the syphon apparatus 1 remain in desired mutual relationship. This helps to avoid leakage frcin the base of a cistern in which the apparatus is installed as there is no stress placed on the connection of the downleg with the base of the cistern.

It will be understood that in all embodiments, the syphon apparatus may be in two parts, rather than the three parts illustrated. Thus the part 3 and bell housing 9 may form a J-shape part. Also, there may be a stiffener 21.

Claims

1. Syphon apparatus for a cistern, ccinprising separate interconnectible syphon portions each having interconnectible means which on interconnection are adapted to provide a syphon apparatus of variable dions.

2. Syphon apparatus according to Cla-1m 1, the interconnectible means rising ccoplementary means on, in use, respectively upwardly and wardly facing legs or limbs of the portions.

3. Syphon apparatus according to Clairn 2, the ccuplementary means comprising a double start lock nut and thread arrangement.

4. Syphon apparatus according to any preceding claim, the interconnectible means cising a slidable connection on each of two laterally displaced (in use) parts of the apparatus.

5. Syphon apparatus according to Claim 4, the slidable connection ccuprising a tongue on a leg of the apparatus and a groove on a bell housing of the apparatus.

6. Syphon apparatus according to Claim 5, there being two cpposed tongues m the leg and ccffplenentary grooves m the bell housing.

7. Syphon apparatus according to Claim. 5 or Claim, 6, the or each tongue having a tapered portion.

8. Syphon apparatus according to Claim 6 or Claim 7 when dependent thereon, a tongue having means whereby to latch the bell housing portion.

9. Syphon apparatus according to Claim 8, the means ccaprising a notch at or adjacent the base of the tongue.

10. Syphon apparatus for a cistern, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the acempapying drawings.