GB2311723A

GB2311723A - Sanitary unit and fittings therefor

Info

Publication number: GB2311723A
Application number: GB9706320A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Keith Jones
Original assignee: TEXSOL HYGIENE Ltd
Current assignee: TEXSOL HYGIENE Ltd
Priority date: 1996-03-26
Filing date: 1997-03-26
Publication date: 1997-10-08
Anticipated expiration: 2017-03-26
Also published as: GB9706320D0; GB9606342D0; GB2311723B

Abstract

A sanitary unit comprises a bowl 31, a water inlet 33 from which water can be supplied in use to the bowl, a water outlet 48 through which water can be drained in use from the bowl, a valve operable to control the supply of water to the bowl and electrical control means for controlling operation of the valve, wherein the parts of the unit that will be exposed after installation are free of ligature points. Also disclosed are : (i) A tap including a housing defining a water inlet, a water outlet and a passage between the inlet and the outlet, and also including a flow directing member adjustably mounted in the housing and interposed in the passage between the inlet and the outlet, the flow directing member being accessible at the outlet of the tap for adjusting the position of the flow directing member. (ii) A tap unit including a water outlet, inlet means for connection to a water supply, a valve operable to control the flow of water from the inlet means to the water outlet and electrical control means for controlling operation of the valve, the electrical control means including a touch actuator for actuating the valve when the actuator is touched. and (iii) An actuator unit for a water or soap fitting including a valve operable to control the flow of water or soap and a touch actuator for actuating the valve, wherein the touch actuator comprises a piezoelectric element.

Description

Improvements in or relatina to sanitarv units and fittings for such units The invention relates to sanitary units and to various fittings for such units. Toilets and washbasins with associated fittings are examples of sanitary units and water supply arrangements such as taps and cisterns are examples of fittings for such units. The invention is particularly, but not exclusively, concerned with units and fittings for use in secure establishments such as prison cells or in locations where vandalism is a particular problem.

There is an increasing need in prison cells and other similar locations to provide toilets and, having provided the toilets, to provide hand washing facilities for reasons of hygiene.

Conventional sanitary units such as toilets and washbasins are replete with projecting parts such as taps and handles. Such taps and handles are liable to have one or more of the following disadvantages: they provide ligature points (a "ligature point" being defined for the purposes of the present specification as a projection which is so shaped and disposed that it can act as an anchor or support for a rope, band or any kind of tie) which is a serious disadvantage in a secure establishment, for example in a prison cell; they provide targets for vandalism; they provide pockets for germs to inhabit; and they impede effective and rapid cleaning.

It is sometimes desired to be able to adjust the direction in which water flows from the outlet of a tap.

Commonly such diversion of flow is achieved by adjusting the orientation of a nozzle or spray device that defines the extremity of the tap. A user is able simply to grasp the exterior of the nozzle or spray device and adjust its orientation so that the direction in which water emerging from the outlet of the nozzle or spray device is adjusted. Such an arrangement involves the provision of an externally mounted nozzle or spray device projecting from the tap.

In order to control the flow of water from a tap, a mechanically actuated valve is conventionally provided.

The use of mechanical actuation leads to the provision of projecting parts. In order to avoid such mechanical actuation, it has been proposed to use an electric switch to control the flow of water but it has not hitherto proved feasible to provide an electric switch controlled tap which is sufficiently practical to be suitable for widespread use. Difficulties that arise with such taps include: provision of adequate electrical power to operate a valve in the tap; provision of adequate control over flow from the tap; and avoidance of excessive cost.

It is an object of the invention to provide a sanitary unit which overcomes or mitigates one or more of the disadvantages referred to above.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a fitting for a sanitary unit which overcomes or mitigates one or more of the disadvantages referred to above.

According to the invention there is provided a sanitary unit comprising a bowl for containing water, a water inlet from which water can be supplied in use to the bowl, a water outlet through which water can be drained in use from the bowl, a valve operable to control the supply of water to the bowl and electrical control means for controlling operation of the valve, wherein the parts of the unit that will be exposed after installation are free of ligature points.

By providing such a sanitary unit free of ligature points, the unit is especially suitable for installation in secure establishments, for example in a prison cell; also, once the unit is free of ligature points, it is easy to ensure that it is difficult to vandalize and that it is easy to clean. Furthermore, the unit can have a modern and streamlined appearance.

Preferably, the bowl of the unit is covered by a sheet of material in which there is an opening overlying the open top of the bowl. Preferably the size and shape of the opening matches the size and shape of the open top of the bowl. Preferably the top of the bowl abuts against the underside of the sheet of material.

Preferably the sheet of material defines an upper face of a housing that is preferably substantially closed, when the unit is installed, apart from the opening in the sheet. The features referred to in this paragraph all contribute to enabling a unit to be provided that is free of ligature points, difficult to vandalize, easy to clean and has a modern and streamlined appearance.

At least an upper layer of the sheet of material is preferably made of a material including an acrylic or polyester resin. It may be of the kind known as "solid surface material". In the case where only the upper layer of the sheet of material is the solid surface material, the upper layer may be bonded to a lower layer; the lower layer may be made of fibreboard, plywood, softwood or metal, for example steel.

Preferably the electrical control means includes an actuator mounted on the exterior of the unit for actuating the valve. The actuator is preferably an electrical element which reacts to the position of a person's finger or to pressure from a person's finger to provide an actuating signal. Such an actuator need not have any moving parts. According to an especially advantageous and important feature, the actuator is a piezoelectric element; such an actuator is especially advantageous in a case where a battery is used as the only power supply because it enables a control system to be provided that consumes very little electrical power.

Indeed, if a valve is designed such that it requires very little power, it is even possible to arrange for the power generated by the pressing of the piezoelectric element to actuate the valve so that even a battery power source is not required. Alternative forms for the actuator include an inductive proximity switch and an infra-red sensing arrangement. The actuator is preferably arranged for installation on a surface, with the exposed face of the actuator disposed in, or adjacent to, the plane of the surface, the exposed face of the actuator preferably being free of ligature points. The exposed face of the actuator may define a touch pad.

The sanitary unit is preferably substantially "L" shaped with the horizontal limb of the "L" being formed by a lower portion of a housing, the lower portion of the housing having a top which includes an opening overlapping the open top of the bowl, the vertical limb of the "L" being formed by an upper portion of the housing extending upwardly at the back of the lower portion of the housing.

The sanitary unit may be a toilet unit, the bowl being a toilet pan.

In the case where the toilet pan is covered by a substantially horizontal sheet of material, that sheet of material may act as a toilet seat, or a separate toilet seat may be provided, for example on top of the sheet, without introducing any ligature points, for example by having the toilet seat unsecured.

The toilet unit may include a cistern to which water is, in use, supplied from the water inlet, the valve being operable to control the supply of water from the cistern to the pan. In an alternative configuration, water is supplied directly from the water inlet via the valve to the bowl.

In the case where the toilet unit is substantially "L" shaped, the cistern may be provided in the upper portion of the housing.

For certain applications, the toilet unit is preferably arranged to supply water to the toilet pan from the water inlet along at least two different paths, a first path leading to one or more outlets within the toilet pan for use in flushing the pan and a second path leading to a water outlet above the toilet pan, from which water flows into the pan. Water travelling along the second path can be used for washing of hands by a user who places their hands between the outlet and the toilet pan. Such an arrangement has the advantage that a separate basin need not be provided to enable a user to wash their hands.

Respective first and second valves are preferably provided to control the flow of water along the first and second paths respectively. The electrical control means preferably controls the operation of both the first and second valves. Preferably the electrical control means includes a respective actuator for actuating each of the first and second valves. Each actuator is preferably mounted on the front of the upper portion of the housing.

Each actuator may take any of the forms described above.

The outlet of the second path is preferably disposed in, or adjacent to, the plane of an exterior surface of the unit. In the case where the unit is substantially "L" shaped, the outlet of the second path is preferably provided on a front face of the upper portion of the housing. Preferably the front face of the upper portion of the housing is a substantially closed face, the outlet of the second path being an exceptional opening in the face. By placing the outlet of the second path in, or adjacent to, the plane of the front face, there is little or no projection of the outlet from the face and therefore little danger of providing a ligature point and/or a target for vandalism.

The sanitary unit may be a washbasin unit, the bowl being a washbasin. The washbasin unit preferably includes a hot water outlet and a cold water outlet incorporated into a single assembly. Preferably a soap outlet is also incorporated into the single assembly.

Respective valves are preferably provided for controlling the flow through each of the outlets of the assembly, operation of each of the valves being controlled by the electrical control means. The electrical control means preferably includes a respective actuator for actuating each of the valves. Each actuator may take any of the forms described above.

Preferably the hot water outlet, cold water outlet and soap outlet (if provided) are disposed in, or adjacent to, the plane of an exterior surface of the unit above the basin. By placing the outlets in, or adjacent to, the plane of the exterior surface, there is little or no projection of the outlets from the face and therefore little danger of providing a ligature point and/or a target for vandalism. In the case where the unit is substantially "L" shaped, the outlets are preferably disposed in a front face of the upper portion of the housing.

Preferably the sanitary unit includes a battery which provides electrical power for operating the valve and the electrical control means. When a battery is used to provide the necessary electrical power, there is no need to provide a mains power supply for the unit which facilitates installation and avoids danger associated with high-electrical voltages in the vicinity of water fittings.

The sanitary unit is preferably fabricated complete with the bowl, valve(s) and the electrical control means; thereafter the unit can be taken to its site of installation.

Each side of the unit, when installed, is preferably closed either by a wall against which the side of the unit is placed or by sheet material which is fixed to the side. The back of the unit is usually closed by a wall against which the unit is placed. The top and front of the unit are preferably closed except for openings for fittings mentioned above, including the bowl and water outlet(s).

The present invention further provides various fittings suitable for use in a sanitary unit as defined above and also usable in other applications.

According to the invention there is provided a tap including a housing defining a water inlet, a water outlet and a passage between the inlet and the outlet, and also including a flow directing member adjustably mounted in the housing and interposed in the passage between the inlet and the outlet, the flow directing member being accessible at the outlet of the tap for adjusting the position of the flow directing member.

The presence of the adjustable flow directing member, accessible at the outlet of the tap enables a tap to be provided in which a stream of water flowing from the tap can be directed easily in a chosen direction by a user. The flow directing member is preferably contained wholly within the housing, being accessible by a person inserting a finger or a tool, such as a rod, into the outlet of the tap. With such an arrangement the flow directing member is protected by the housing of the tap.

The flow directing member preferably includes a ball-shaped part which blocks the passage between the inlet and the outlet of the tap and which has a passageway therethrough providing a water path from the inlet to the outlet. Preferably the longitudinal axis of the passageway is along a diameter of the ball shaped part. Preferably the ball shaped part bears against an '0' ring seal to prevent flow between the exterior of the ball shaped part and the housing.

The flow directing member preferably further includes a cylindrical part projecting from the ball shaped part generally towards the outlet. The cylindrical part preferably has a passageway therethrough, the passageway being an extension of the passageway through the ball shaped part. In the case envisaged above, employing a ball shaped part, the flow directing member is free to swivel and has freedom of rotational movement in all directions; for certain applications, it may be preferred to limit the freedom of movement of the flow directing member, for example to pivotal movement about a single axis; in such a case, the ball shaped part may be replaced by a cylindrical part.

The tap is preferably arranged for installation on a surface, with the outlet of the tap disposed in, or adjacent to, the plane of the surface, the exposed outlet of the tap being free of ligature points.

It should be noted that the "tap" referred to above is not required to include a valve for controlling the flow of water through the tap. Such a valve need not be a part of the tap and may be provided at a location removed from the tap.

The present invention also provides a tap unit including a tap as defined above, inlet means for connection to a water supply, a valve operable to control the supply of water to the tap and electrical control means for controlling operation of the valve.

The electrical control means preferably includes an actuator for actuating the valve. The actuator may take any of the forms described above.

Preferably the tap unit includes a battery which provides electrical power for operating the valve and the electrical control means. Connection to a mains supply can then be avoided.

The present invention further provides a tap including a single outlet assembly in which are defined hot and cold water outlets and a soap outlet. The provision of all three outlets in a single assembly, facilitates the provision of flows of hot and cold water and soap in a unit free of ligature points and free of targets for vandalism. The tap is preferably arranged for installation on a surface with the outlets of the tap disposed in, or adjacent to the plane of the surface, the exposed outlets of the tap being free of ligature points.

Such a "tap" need not include valves operable to control the supply of water or soap to each outlet.

The present invention also provides a tap unit including a tap as defined above, inlet means for connection to hot and cold water supplies and a soap supply, valves operable to control the supply of water or soap to each outlet and electrical control means for controlling operation of the valves. In the case of the "valve" operable to control the supply of soap, the term valve is to be understood as including any means which is operable to control the supply of the soap including, for example, a pump.

The electrical control means preferably includes respective actuators for actuating each of the valves.

Each actuator may take any of the forms described above.

The tap unit preferably includes a battery which provides electrical power for operating the valves and the electrical control means. The soap outlet is preferably positioned between the hot and cold water outlets.

The invention still further provides a tap unit including a water outlet, inlet means for connection to a water supply, a valve operable to control the flow of water from the inlet means to the water outlet and electrical control means for controlling operation of the valve, the electrical control means including a touch actuator for actuating the valve when the actuator is touched.

The actuator may take any of the forms described above.

The electrical control means is preferably arranged to open the valve for a predetermined period of time upon actuation of the actuator. The unit may include adjusting means for adjusting the predetermined period of time. The electrical control means may also be arranged to close the valve upon actuation of the actuator. The electrical control means and the valve may be arranged such that any failure of the unit results in the valve being closed. The valve is preferably able to be set by the control means at one or more partly open positions in which there is a flow of water to the water outlet but the rate of flow is less than when the valve is fully open. The setting of the valve may be continuously variable between a fully open and a fully closed position or there may be a plurality of discrete settings. The setting of the valve may be dependent upon the number of touches of the actuator. For example full flow may be obtained by touching the actuator five times in succession with reduced flow for fewer numbers of touches. Alternatively, the setting of the valve may be dependent upon the time for which pressure is maintained on the actuator.

In certain applications it is preferred that the unit is arranged to emit a sound upon actuation of the actuator. In such a case, a user can be in no doubt as to whether there has been actuation even if there is a short delay before the unit responds.

The unit preferably further includes a battery which provides electrical power for operating the valve and the electrical control means.

The tap unit just described, when installed, will incorporate a tap as described, but the unit can be provided separately from a tap. The present invention therefore also provides an actuator unit for connection to a tap to provide a tap unit as defined above, the actuator unit including a valve operable to control the flow of water through it and electrical control means for controlling operation of the valve, the electrical control means including a touch actuator for actuating the valve when the actuator is touched.

It has already been explained that the use of a piezoelectric element as a touch actuator for a valve is an especially advantageous and important feature.

Accordingly the invention further provides an actuator unit for a water or soap fitting including a valve operable to control the flow of water or soap and a touch actuator for actuating the valve, wherein the touch actuator comprises a piezoelectric element.

It should be understood that the various taps, tap units and actuator units described above are especially suitable for use in the sanitary units described above and thus they may advantageously be used in those sanitary units.

As already explained, it is advantageous for the sanitary units, taps, tap units and actuator units to be free of ligature points. It has also been explained, however, that designs of fittings in accordance with the invention have other advantages such as being difficult to vandalise, being easy to clean and having a modern and streamlined appearance. Accordingly the products have a wide variety of applications and for some of those, it may not be essential for there to be no ligature points.

Accordingly it is within the scope of the invention to provide a sanitary unit, a tap, a tap unit or an actuator unit which is as defined above but is not free of ligature points.

By way of example, certain illustrative embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a side sectional view of a toilet unit, Fig. 1A is a perspective view of the toilet unit shown in Fig. 1 installed with one side against a wall, Fig. 2 is an isometric view from the front, to one side and above of a washbasin unit, Fig. 3 is an exploded side sectional view of a tap, Fig. 4 is a side sectional view of a tap unit incorporating the tap of Fig. 3 fitted in a wall, Fig. 5A is a rear view of one form of outlet assembly of a tap, Fig. 5B is a side sectional view of the outlet assembly of Fig. 5A, Fig. 5C is a front view of the outlet assembly of Fig. 5A, Fig. 6A is a rear view of an alternative form of outlet assembly of a tap, Fig. 6B is a side sectional view of the outlet assembly of Fig. 6A, Fig. 6C is a front view of the outlet assembly of Fig. 6A, Fig. 7 is a schematic side sectional view of an actuator unit including an actuator fitted in a wall, Fig. 8 is a side sectional view of a tap which may be controlled by the actuator unit of Fig. 7, and Figs. 8A and 8B are sketches illustrating various ways in which the tap of Fig. 8 may be arranged.

Fig. 1 shows a toilet unit generally comprising: a housing 1; a toilet pan 2, connected to a waste outlet 3; a cistern 4 incorporating an electronic flush valve 5; an outlet pipe 6 extending from the cistern 4 to the toilet pan 2; a tap 7; a mains water supply 8 having a stop tap 9; a pipe 10 connecting the tap 7 to the mains water supply 8; a valve 11 in the pipe 10 for controlling flow of water from the mains water supply 8 to the tap 7; a pressure regulator 12 for regulating the pressure of water emitted from the tap 7; an electronic control box 13 for controlling operation of the valve 11; an electronic control box 14 for controlling operation of the flush valve 5 and a pair of actuators 15 (only one of which is visible in Fig. 1) connected to the control box 13 and the control box 14 respectively.

The housing 1 of the toilet unit is "L" shaped with the horizontal limb of the "L" being formed by a lower portion 20 of the housing and the vertical limb of the "L" being formed by an upper portion 21 of the housing.

The upper portion 21 extends upwardly at the back of the lower portion 20 and has a front part 22 and a top part 23 which fills in a space between the front part 22 and a wall 24 against which the unit is fitted. The lower portion 20 of the housing has a horizontal top 25 which has an opening 26 overlying and matching the open top of the toilet pan 2, the top of which is secured to the underside of the top 25. The joint between the top of the toilet pan 2 and the top 25 is sealed with a silicon sealant or a gasket. The lower portion 20 of the housing has a front 26 which fills in the space between the top 25 and a floor 27 on which the toilet unit rests.

The top 25 of the lower portion of the housing 1 acts as a toilet seat.

The walls of the housing 1 are made with an outer layer of a solid surface material. Solid surface material is a material manufactured from an acrylic or polyester based resin which can provide a very hardwearing surface, can be produced in a wide range of colours and patterns and can be cut or moulded into the shape required. Joints in solid surface material can be virtually imperceptible and as strong as the material itself. The solid surface material is bonded with a silicone adhesive or mastic to a backing or frame work of medium density fibreboard.

The toilet pan 2 is made of stainless steel but may be china or plastic. The electronic flush valve 5 is of the form shown in PCT/GB93/01487. The tap 7 is of the kind described below with reference to Fig. 3 and is mounted on the front part 22 of the housing 1. The actuators 15 are piezoelectric elements which each provide an output signal when pressed by a person's finger, without any movement of the actuator.

As can be seen from Fig. 1, the outlet of the tap 7 and the exposed surfaces of the actuators 15 are disposed adjacent to the plane of the exposed surface of the front part 22 of the upper portion 21 of the housing. Thus the front part 22 of the housing presents a substantially flat face that is closed apart from the outlet of the tap 7 and is free of ligature points.

When the unit is installed, either the width of the unit is matched to the width of a recess in which the unit is fitted so that the sides of the unit are closed by side walls of the recess or the or each exposed side is closed by solid surface material. Thus the installed unit is entirely free of ligature points. Fig. 1A shows the unit of Fig. 1 installed in a corner of a room.

When a user wishes to flush the toilet he presses the appropriate one of the piezoelectric actuators 15 which sends an output signal to the control box 14. The control box 14 in turn operates the flush valve 5 causing water to flow from the cistern 4 to the toilet pan 2 through the pipe 6. A conventional ball cock (not shown) in the cistern controls the replenishing of the cistern 4 from the mains water supply 8.

A person can wash his hands by pressing the other one of the piezoelectric actuators 15 which sends an output signal to the control box 13. The control box 13 in turn opens the valve 11 (which may be of any suitable conventional form) allowing water to flow from the mains water supply 8, along the pipe 10, through the pressure regulator 12 (which may be of any suitable form) to the tap 7 and out of the tap 7 in a stream directed away from the front part 22 of the housing. The pressure is regulated such that the stream of water falls into the toilet pan 2. The person is therefore able to place his hands between the tap 7 and the toilet pan 2 and wash them in the stream of water. After a predetermined period of time the valve 11 is closed by the control box 13.

As can be seen from Fig. 1 and Fig. 1A, the toilet unit is very easy to clean and can be of modern and streamlined appearance. Provided the exposed parts of the actuators 15 and the tap 7 are of robust construction, the unit is also difficult to vandalise.

Fig. 2 shows a washbasin unit including a housing 30, a basin 31, a hot water outlet 32, a cold water outlet 33, a soap outlet 34 positioned between the hot and cold water outlets and touch pads 35, 36 and 37 for commencing flow of water or soap. The outlets 32, 33 and 34 are incorporated into a single assembly 38.

The housing 30 of the washbasin unit is "L" shaped with the horizontal limb of the "L" being formed by a lower portion 39 of the housing and the vertical limb of the "L" being formed by an upper portion 40 of the housing. The upper portion 40 extends upwardly at the back of the lower portion 39 and has a lower generally convex front part 41, a higher vertical front part 42 and a top 43. The lower portion 39 of the housing has a horizontal top 44 which has an opening 45 overlying and matching the open top of the basin 31, the top of which is secured to the underside of the top 44. The joint between the top of the basin 31 and the top 44 is sealed with a silicon sealant or a gasket. The lower portion 39 of the housing has a front 46 which fills in the space between the top 44 and a floor on which the washbasin rests. The housing 30 is supported on four adjustable feet 47 for levelling the unit.

The walls of the housing 30 are made of a solid surface material as described above in respect of the toilet unit. In the example of Fig. 2 the housing 30 is shown with a closed side wall. As with the unit of Fig.

1, either the width of the unit is matched to the width of a recess in which the unit is fitted or the or each exposed side of the unit is closed by solid surface material.

The basin 31 is made of stainless steel but may be of china or plastic and has a drain 48 and an overflow 49.

Within the housing 30 of the washbasin unit and not shown in Fig. 2 are pipes connecting the soap outlet 34 via a pump to a soap supply contained in the housing and connecting the hot and cold water outlets 32 and 33 via respective valves to a mains water supply, an electronic control system for controlling operation of the valves in accordance with signals received from the touch pads 35, 36 and 37, and a battery for providing electrical power to the control system, pump and valves.

The outlets 32, 33 and 34 project only to a very small extent from the convex part 41 (as more fully described with reference to Figs. 6A to 6C) while the touch pads 35, 36 and 37 are mounted flush with the part 41. The front of the housing 30 therefore presents a closed surface apart from the outlets 32, 33, 34 and furthermore the surface is free of ligature points. When the unit is installed, the entire unit is free of ligature points.

In use, the flow of water or soap is controlled by a user pressing the touch pads 35, 36 and 37, as described more fully below with reference to Figs. 6A to 6C and Fig. 7.

The washbasin unit is very easy to clean and can be of modern and streamlined appearance. Provided the exposed parts of the outlet assembly 38 and of the touch pads 35, 36 and 37 are of robust construction, the unit is also difficult to vandalise.

Fig. 3 shows a tap 50 which is especially suitable for fitting as the tap 7 of the toilet unit of Fig. 1.

The tap generally comprises a housing having a front part 51 and a rear part 52, a flow directing member 53 and an '0' ring 54. The rear part 52 of the ho 61, a cylindrical part 62 and a passageway 63 which extends through the member along a diameter of the ballshaped part 61 and a central longitudinal axis of the cylindrical part 62. The surface 60 of the front part 51 of the housing is part-spherical and matched to the shape of the ball-shaped part 61 so that the flow directing member 53 is free to swivel within the housing 51, 52.

The cylindrical part 62 of the member 53 extends forwardly into the flared outlet 57 of the tap but does not project beyond the front end of the front part 51 of the housing.

The '0' ring prevents passage of fluid between the exterior of the ball-shaped part 61 and the wall of the passage 58.

When water is supplied to the tap, it enters through the pipe connector 56, travels along the passage 58 to the flow directing member 53, through the passageway 63 and emerges from the passageway 63 through the outlet 57 as a stream of water travelling in the direction of the passageway 63. The direction of the stream of water can be arranged to be adjusted by a user inserting a finger into the outlet 57 to engage the cylindrical part 62 and swivel the flow directing member 53 to a selected position, or by a user inserting a small rod into the outlet 57 to move the member 53 as required.

The tap shown in Fig. 3 can be installed directly in a suitably sized aperture in a cladding board (not shown) simply by introducing the front and rear parts of the housing 51, 52 from appropriate sides of the board and screwing them together. When so installed, only a front flanged portion 64 of the front part 51 of the housing is exposed. The flanged portion 64 is of robust construction and is free of ligature points. If desired, the tap can be mounted in a recess on a surface with the front face of the portion 64 coplanar with the front of the mounting surface.

When the tap of Fig. 3 is installed as the tap 7 of the unit of Fig. 1, the flow directing member and the pressure of water supplied to the tap can be arranged so that the stream of water emanating from the tap falls into the toilet pan 2.

In a particular example of the tap shown in Fig. 3 the housing parts 51, 52 and the flow directing member 53 are made of brass but other materials such as stainless steel and plastics materials may also be used. While the tap has been described as a water tap, it may also be connected to a pumped supply of soap and used to dispense soap.

Fig. 4 shows the tap of Fig. 3 fitted in a wall or partition of substantial thickness. As shown in Fig. 3, the front part 51 of the housing of the tap has an external screw thread 66 by which the tap can be fixed to a two-part telescopic adaptor tube 67 through which a pipe connected to the pipe connector 56 passes. The two parts of the adaptor tube 67 are welded together to provide a suitable length of adaptor for a particular wall or partition on which the tap is to be mounted. The rear end of the adaptor tube 67 is externally screw threaded to receive a washer 68 and a nut 69 by which the tap assembly can be screwed to the wall or partition.

Also shown in Fig. 4 is an electrically operated valve 70, for example a solenoid valve connected via a cable 71 to a control box (not shown) which controls operation of the valve 70 to control flow of water to the tap.

Figs. 5A to 5C show an outlet assembly which is especially suitable for fitting as the outlet assembly 38 of the washbasin unit shown in Fig. 2. The outlet assembly provides as a single unit hot and cold water outlets. In Fig. 5B the assembly is shown fixed to a solid surface 75. The assembly has a rear portion 76 comprising a flanged fixing plate 77 from which hot and cold water pipe couplings 78A and 78B extend rearwardly.

As shown in Fig. 5A, the flanged fixing plate 77 has a pair of fixing slots 78 for receiving the stems of screws (not shown) which secure the assembly to the solid surface material. The assembly has a front portion 79 of oval cross-section located in a correspondingly shaped oval opening in the solid surface 75. The front portion 79 has hot and cold water outlet bores 80A and 80B passing therethrough and communicating with the pipe couplings 78A and 78B respectively. In the example shown, the front portion 79 projects 2mm beyond the front face of the solid surface 75. An alternative arrangement is for the front portion 79 to fit flush with the front face of the solid surface 75.

Figs 6A to 6C show an outlet assembly very similar to the assembly of Figs. 5A to 5C but having three outlets rather than two. The third outlet 80C, preferably the central outlet, is a soap outlet. Parts of the outlet assembly of Figs. 6A to 6C corresponding to the parts of the outlet assembly of Figs. 5A to 5C are designated by the same reference numerals.

It will be seen that the exposed parts of the outlet assemblies of Figs. 5A to 5C and Figs. 6A to 6C are free of ligature points. In Fig. 2, the outlet assembly of Figs 6A to 6C is shown but it will be appreciated that the outlet assembly of Figs. 5A to 5C may be employed in its place if a soap outlet is not required.

Fig. 7 shows an actuator comprising a touch switch unit 90 which is especially suitable for fitting as each of the actuators 15 of Fig. 1 or each of the touch pads 35, 36, 37 of Fig. 2. The touch switch unit 90 has a housing 91 having a flange 92 at its front end and an externally screw threaded portion 93 at its rear end by which the unit can be secured to the face on which it is mounted. In Fig. 7, the touch switch unit 90 is fitted in a wall or partition 98 of substantial thickness in the same way as the tap shown in Fig. 4; it will be understood that the unit 90 may also be fitted on a thinner member such as cladding in the manner shown for the tap in Fig. 3. In Fig. 7, parts corresponding to the parts shown in Fig. 4 are designated by the same reference numerals.

The touch switch unit 90 incorporates a piezoelectric element at its front face 94 and an electric cable 95 which leaves the unit at the rear and is connected to the piezoelectric element. The electric cable 95 is connected to an electronic control box 96 (corresponding in the case of Fig. 1 to one of the control boxes 13, 14).

When a user touches the unit 90 the pressure of the user's finger causes the piezoelectric element to generate a voltage which is passed by the cable 95 to the control box 96 as an output signal. The action that the control box 96 then causes to be taken will vary widely from one application to another. In the particular example described, the control box 96 responds to the signal from the piezoelectric element to open a valve 97 in a water supply pipe and allow water to flow to a tap (for example the tap 7 of Fig. 1). The control box 96 maintains the valve 97 in an open condition for a predetermined period of time following which it causes the valve 97 to close. The period of time for which the valve is kept open can be adjusted (for example for a period up to 3 minutes) at the control box 96 via a dip switch.

The exposed parts at the front of the touch switch unit 90 are of robust construction, project only a small distance beyond the wall or partition 98 and are free of ligature points. If desired the front of the touch switch unit can be mounted flush with the surface of the wall or partition 98.

The electrical power for the valve 97, which is conveniently a solenoid valve, and the control box 96 are provided by a battery (not shown).

If desired, the control box 96 can be arranged to control the valve in any of the following ways in addition to those already described: to close the valve 97 in response to a signal from the unit 90; to open the valve 97 in response to a signal from the unit 90, but only if the signal is received more than a predetermined time after the last opening of the valve (thereby preventing continual opening of the valve as a result of repeated pressing); to have a fail safe condition in which the valve 97 is closed. The valve 97 may be one which latches in an open or closed condition and requires no electrical power to maintain it in either condition. Such a valve may be operated by a supply of electrical power from a battery for a period of, say, 30 ms. An example of a suitable valve is a latching solenoid valve supplied by Asco Joucomatic.

The front face of the touch switch unit can be illuminated, if desired, and/or a sounder can be provided to emit a sound whenever the touch control unit is activated.

Fig. 8 shows a tap 150 which is in some respects similar to, but is simpler than, the tap 50 shown in Fig.

3. The tap 150 does not have a flow directing arrangement. The tap has a housing 151, an internally threaded inlet end 155 and an outlet end 180. A passage 158 extends through the housing 151 from the inlet end 155 and terminates in an approximately conical face close to the outlet end 180. A bore 181 is drilled through the outlet end 180 at an angle of 30 to the horizontal and defines the outlet of the tap.

The front face 182 of the outlet end 180 is smoothly curved to provide a domed face and a flange 164 defined around the periphery of the outlet end 180.

The tap 150 can be installed in a vertical wall (indicated by dotted lines as 190 in Fig. 8) with the rear of the flange 164 abutting the front face of the wall. The exterior of the rear portion of the housing 151 is screw threaded at 166 and, in the case of a relatively thin wall, a suitable fastener can be screwed onto that threaded portion at the rear of the wall to hold the flange 164 against the front face of the wall.

Alternatively, in the case of a thicker wall, one end of a tube can be screwed onto the threaded portion 166 and a suitable fastener screwed onto the other end of the tube at the rear end of the wall to hold the flange 164 against the front face of the wall.

It will be noted that the only part of the tap that protrudes from the wall is the domed outlet end 180 of the housing 151. That portion projects very little from the plane of the front face of the wall and is free of ligature points.

Figs. 8A and 8B show various ways in which taps 151 may be disposed in a basin 199 with a waste outlet 200.

By rotating the taps 151 (away from the vertical position shown in Fig. 8) during installation the direction in which their outlets extend can be adjusted, for example to the positions shown in Fig. 8A. Also, as shown in the side view of Fig. 8B, a range of designs of tap 151 may be made available with varying degrees of inclination of the bores 181 to the horizontal so that the angle A at which the jet of water enters the basin 199 and also therefore where it impacts on the basin can be selected.

While various embodiments of the invention have been described above by way of example, it should be understood that many modifications may be made to them. For example, while in the described embodiments a respective control box is provided for each valve or pump that is activated, a single control box, which may incorporate a microprocessor, may be provided for all the valves/pumps.

In the embodiment of Fig. 1, a particular form of cistern flush valve is proposed but it will be appreciated that other forms of electrically actuated cistern flush valves may be used. A valve or a pump associated with a tap may be located remote from, or may be attached to, the associated valve or pump; similarly a control box associated with a valve or pump may be located remote from, or may be attached to, the associated valve or pump. Also, features described in respect of one embodiment may be incorporated in another embodiment.

For example, the water outlet assembly 38 of Fig. 2 may be provided in the embodiment of Fig. 1 in place of the tap 7 and vice versa.

Claims

Claims:

1. A sanitary unit comprising a bowl for containing water, a water inlet from which water can be supplied in use to the bowl, a water outlet through which water can be drained in use from the bowl, a valve operable to control the supply of water to the bowl and electrical control means for controlling operation of the valve, wherein the parts of the unit that will be exposed after installation are free of ligature points.

2. A sanitary unit according to claim 1, in which the bowl of the unit is covered by a sheet of material in which there is an opening overlying the open top of the bowl.

3. A sanitary unit according to claim 2, in which at least an upper layer of the sheet of material is made of a solid surface material.

4. A sanitary unit according to claim 2 or 3, in which the size and shape of the opening matches the size and shape of the open top of the bowl.

5. A sanitary unit according to any one of claims 2 to 4, in which the sheet of material defines an upper face of a housing.

6. A sanitary unit according to any preceding claim, in which the electrical control means includes an actuator mounted on the exterior of the unit for actuating the valve.

7. A sanitary unit according to claim 6, in which the actuator is an electrical element which reacts to the position of a person's finger, or to pressure from a person's finger, to provide an actuating signal.

8. A sanitary unit according to claim 7, in which the actuator is a piezoelectric element.

9. A sanitary unit according to any preceding claim, which is substantially "L" shaped, with the horizontal limb of the "L" being formed by a lower portion of a housing, the lower portion of the housing having a top which includes an opening overlying the open top of the bowl, the vertical limb of the "L" being formed by an upper portion of the housing extending upwardly at the back of the lower portion of the housing.

10. A sanitary unit according to any preceding claim, the unit being a toilet unit and the bowl being a toilet pan.

11. A toilet unit according to claim 10, when dependent upon any one of claims 2 to 5, in which the sheet of material acts as a toilet seat.

12. A toilet unit according to claim 10 or 11, further including a cistern to which water is, in use, supplied from the water inlet, the valve being operable to control the supply of water from the cistern to the pan.

13. A toilet unit according to any one of claims 10 to 12, in which the toilet unit is arranged to supply water to the toilet pan from the water inlet along at least two different paths, a first path leading to one or more outlets within the toilet pan for use in flushing the pan and a second path leading to a water outlet above the toilet pan, from which water flows into the pan.

14. A toilet unit according to claim 13, in which respective first and second valves are provided to control the flow of water along the first and second paths respectively.

15. A toilet unit according to claim 14, in which the electrical control means controls the operation of both the first and second valves.

16. A toilet unit according to claim 15, in which the electrical control means includes a respective actuator for actuating each of the first and second valves.

17. A toilet unit according to any one of claims 13 to 16, in which the outlet of the second path is disposed in, or adjacent to, the plane of an exterior surface of the unit.

18. A toilet unit according to claim 17, when dependent upon claim 9, the outlet of the second path being disposed in a front face of the upper portion of the housing.

19. A sanitary unit according to any one of claims 1 to 9, the unit being a washbasin unit and the bowl being a washbasin.

20. A washbasin unit according to claim 19, including a hot water outlet, a cold water outlet and a soap outlet incorporated into a single assembly.

21. A washbasin unit according to claim 20, in which respective valves are provided for controlling the flow of water and soap through each of the outlets, operation of each of the valves being controlled by the electrical control means.

22. A washbasin unit according to claim 21, in which the electrical control means includes a respective actuator for actuating each of the valves.

23. A washbasin unit according to any one of claims 20 to 22, in which the hot water outlet, cold water outlet and soap outlet are disposed in, or adjacent to, the plane of an exterior surface of the unit disposed above the basin.

24. A washbasin unit according to claim 23 when dependent upon claim 9, the outlets being disposed in a front face of the upper portion of the housing.

25. A sanitary unit according to any preceding claim, including a battery which provides electrical power for operating the valve and the electrical control means.

26. A sanitary unit according to any preceding claim, the unit being prefabricated complete with the bowl, valve(s) and the electrical control means.

27. A toilet unit substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated by Fig. 1 the accompanying drawings.

28. A washbasin unit substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated by Fig. 2 of the accompanying drawings.

29. A tap including a housing defining a water inlet, a water outlet and a passage between the inlet and the outlet, and also including a flow directing member adjustably mounted in the housing and interposed in the passage between the inlet and the outlet, the flow directing member being accessible at the outlet of the tap for adjusting the position of the flow directing member.

30. A tap according to claim 29, in which the flow directing member is contained wholly within the housing and is accessible by a person inserting a finger or a tool into the outlet of the tap.

31. A tap according to claim 29 or 30, in which the flow directing member includes a ball-shaped part which blocks the passage between the inlet and the outlet of the tap and which has a passageway therethrough providing a water path from the inlet to the outlet.

32. A tap according to claim 31, in which the longitudinal axis of the passageway is along a diameter of the ball-shaped part.

33. A tap according to claim 31 or 32, in which the ball-shaped part bears against an '0' ring seal to prevent flow between the exterior of the ball-shaped part and the housing.

34. A tap according to any one of claims 31 to 33, in which the flow directing member includes a cylindrical part projecting from the ball-shaped part generally towards the outlet.

35. A tap according to claim 34, in which the cylindrical part has a passageway therethrough, the passageway being an extension of the passageway through the ball-shaped part.

36. A tap according to any one of claims 29 to 35, the tap being arranged for installation on a surface, with the outlet of the tap disposed in, or adjacent to, the plane of the surface, the exposed outlet of the tap being free of ligature points.

37. A tap unit including a tap according to any one of claims 29 to 36, inlet means for connection to a water supply, a valve operable to control the supply of water to the tap and electrical control means for controlling operation of the valve.

38. A tap unit according to claim 37, in which the electrical control means includes an actuator for actuating the valve.

39. A tap unit according to claim 38, in which the actuator is an electrical element which reacts to the position of a person's finger, or to pressure from a person's finger, to provide an actuating signal.

40. A tap unit according to claim 39, in which the actuator is a piezoelectric element.

41. A tap unit according to any one of claims 37 to 40, in which the electrical control means is arranged to open the valve for a predetermined period of time upon actuation of the actuator and to close the valve after the predetermined period of time.

42. A tap unit according to claim 41, including adjusting means for adjusting the predetermined period of time.

43. A tap unit according to any one of claims 37 to 42, in which the electrical control means is arranged to close the valve upon actuation of the actuator.

44. A tap unit according to any one of claims 37 to 43, in which the electrical control means and the valve are arranged such that any failure of the unit results in the valve being closed.

45. A tap unit according to any one of claims 37 to 44, in which the valve is able to be set by the control means at one or more partly open positions in which there is a flow of water to the water outlet but the rate of flow is less than when the valve is fully open.

46. A tap unit according to claim 38, or any one of claims 39 to 45 when dependent upon claim 38, in which the setting of the valve is dependent upon the number of touches of the actuator.

47. A tap unit according to any one of claims 39 to 46, further including a battery which provides electrical power for operating the valve and the electrical control means.

48. A tap unit substantially as herein described wit reference to and as illustrated by Figs. 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.

49. A sanitary unit comprising a bowl for containing water, a water outlet through which water can be drained in use from the bowl and a tap unit according to any one of claims 37 to 48.

49A. A sanitary unit according to claim 49 and further being according to any one of claims 1 to 28.

50. A tap unit including a water outlet, inlet means for connection to a water supply, a valve operable to control the flow of water from the inlet means to the water outlet and electrical control means for controlling operation of the valve, the electrical control means including a touch actuator for actuating the valve when the actuator is touched.

51. A tap unit according to claim 51, in which the actuator comprises a piezoelectric element.

52. A tap unit according to claim 51 or 52, in which the actuator is arranged for installation on a surface, with the exposed part of the actuator disposed in, or adjacent to, the plane of the surface.

53. A tap unit according to claim 52, in which the actuator installation is free of ligature points.

54. A tap unit according to claim 52 or 53, in which the surface is a flat surface.

55. A tap unit according to any one of claims 50 to 54, in which the actuator is remote from the water outlet.

56. A tap unit according to any one of claims 50 to 55, in which the electrical control means is arranged to open the valve for a predetermined period of time upon actuation of the actuator and to close the valve after the predetermined period of time.

57. A tap unit according to claim 56, including adjusting means for adjusting the predetermined period of time.

58. A tap unit according to any one of claims 50 to 57, in which the electrical control means is arranged to close the valve upon actuation of the actuator.

59. A tap unit according to any one of claims 50 to 58, in which the electrical control means and the valve are arranged such that any failure of the unit results in the valve being closed.

60. A tap unit according to any one of claims 50 to 59, in which the valve is able to be set by the control means at one or more partly open positions in which there is a flow of water to the water outlet but the rate of flow is less than when the valve is fully open.

61. A tap unit according to claim 60, in which the setting of the valve is dependent upon the number of touches of the actuator.

62. A tap unit according to any one of claims 50 to 61, in which the unit is arranged to emit a sound upon actuation of the actuator.

63. A tap unit according to any one of claims 50 to 62, further including a battery which provides electrical power for operating the valve and the electrical control means.

64. A tap unit according to any one of claims 50 to 0 63, in which the outlet is defined in a housing which also defines a water inlet and a passage between the inlet and the outlet, and the unit further includes a flow directing member adjustably mounted in the housing and interposed in the passage between the inlet and the outlet, the flow directing member being accessible at the outlet of the tap for adjusting the position of the flow directing member.

65. A tap unit according to claim 64, in which the flow directing member is contained wholly within the housing and is accessible by a person inserting a finger or a tool into the outlet of the tap.

66. A tap unit according to claim 64 or 63, in which the flow directing member includes a ball-shaped part which blocks the passage between the inlet and the outlet of the tap and which has a passageway therethrough providing a water path from the inlet to the outlet.

67. A tap unit according to claim 66, in which the longitudinal axis of the passageway is along a diameter of the ball-shaped part.

68. A tap unit according to claim 65 or 66, in which the ball-shaped part bears against an '0' ring seal to prevent flow between the exterior of the ball-shaped part and the housing.

69. A tap unit according to any one of claims 66 to 68, in which the flow directing member includes a cylindrical part projecting from the ball-shaped part generally towards the outlet.

70. A tap unit according to claim 69, in which the cylindrical part has a passageway therethrough, the passageway being an extension of the passageway through the ball-shaped part.

71. A tap unit substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated by Fig. 7 of the accompanying drawings.

72. A sanitary unit comprising a bowl for containing water, a water outlet through which water can be drained in use from the bowl and a tap unit according to any one of claims 50 to 71.

73. A sanitary unit according to claim 72 and further being according to any one of claims 1 to 28.

74. An actuator unit for connection to a tap to provide a tap unit according to any one of claims 50 to 71, the actuator unit including a valve operable to control the flow of water through it and electrical control means for controlling operation of the valve, the electrical control means including a touch actuator for actuating the valve when the actuator is touched.

75. An actuator unit for a water or soap fitting including a valve operable to control the flow of water or soap and a touch actuator for actuating the valve, wherein the touch actuator comprises a piezoelectric element.

76. A sanitary unit according to any one of claims 1 to 28, the unit including one or more of the following: (i) a tap according to any one of claims 29 to 36; (ii) a tap unit according to any one of claims 37 to 48; (iii) a tap unit according to any one of claims 50 to 71; and (iv) an actuator unit according to claim 74 or 75.