GB2436838A

GB2436838A - Concealed sanitary ware

Info

Publication number: GB2436838A
Application number: GB0606874A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hei Kwong Tai; Kai Lai Tai
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-04-05
Filing date: 2006-04-05
Publication date: 2007-10-10
Anticipated expiration: 2026-04-05
Also published as: GB2436838B; GB0606874D0

Abstract

A sanitaryware unit comprises a frame in which is mounted a washbasin (4) and a flushable toilet body (1), characterised in that the toilet body is pivotally mounted about a vertical or horizontal axis and wherein movement of the toilet body between an operative position and a concealed position is enactable by means of a transmission mechanism. The transmission mechanism is suitably driven by means of an electric motor. A further sanitaryware unit comprising a frame in which is mounted a washbasin and a bidet or urinal is also disclosed.

Description

243683Q

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Title: CONCEALED SANITARY WARE

The invention relates to sanitary ware and more particularly to improvements in washbasins, bidets and flush toilets.

In general, sanitary cleaning appliances such as washbasins, flush toilets, 5 urinals and bidets are separately disposed in an ordinary bathroom. This unavoidably decreases the usable space and floor area of the bathroom, especially in some narrow places because such appliances take up the activity space left for people. However, no sanitary wares which can save space are currently available in the market.

10 The aim of the invention is to provide a concealed sanitary ware which can decrease the occupied floor area of the bathroom.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a concealed sanitary ware comprising a frame; a washbasin which is adaptively combined with the frame; and a flush toilet including a toilet body which is arranged beneath

15 the frame, wherein a pair of pivot pins are mounted at both sides of one end of the toilet body, each of said pivot pins is supported on a respective bearing bracket fixed to the frame; and the toilet body is connected to a transmission mechanism.

Another aspect of the invention provides a concealed sanitary ware comprising a frame; a wash basin which is adaptively combined with the frame;

20 and a flush toilet including a toilet body which is arranged beneath the frame, wherein a pair of pivot pins are mounted on the top and bottom at one end of the toilet body, each of said pivot pins being located in a respective bearing brackct fixed to the frame; and the toilet body is connected to a transmission mechanism.

The transmission mechanism may be arranged to be driven by an electric

25 motor.

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According to one embodiment of the invention, a water-in port and a water-out port are located at the rear portion of the toilet body, the water-in port being sequentially connected to a water supply pipe, a first solenoid valve and a water tank via a first rotatable connection pipe fitting, and the water-out port being 5 connectcd to a first water discharge pipe via a second rotatable connection pipe fitting; the first and second rotatable connection pipe fittings, each of which is constructed of two pipe sleeves and a seal member embedded into the joint of the two pipe sleeves, being arranged between the two pivot pins in such a manner that the central axis of each of the pipe fittings is aligned with that of each of the pivot 10 pins.

In a preferred embodiment, a T-shaped pipe fitting is arranged in the first water discharge pipe in such a manner that one horizontal end of the T-shaped pipe fitting is connected to the water-out port via the second rotatable connection pipe fitting, another horizontal end thereof is connected to the first water 15 discharge pipe, and one vertical end thereof is sequentially connected to a second solenoid valve and a second water discharge pipe.

A concave handle may be provided at the front portion of the toilet body.

The toilet body may be provided with one or more supports, each support being at one end movably or fixedly connected to the toilet body and being at its 20 other end fitted with a wheel.

One or more sprinklers having a water-out direction towards the toilet body may be provided on the frame.

A hot-air blower having an air-blowing direction towards the toilet body may also be provided on the frame.

25 According to the invention, the flush toilet in the sanitary ware may be replaced by a bidet or a urinal.

The sanitary ware of the invention has the following advantageous effects:

allowing combined installation of the washbasin and the toilet body or of the washbasin and the bidet or of the washbasin and the urinal on the frame to form a cabinet, so that movement, installation and maintenance of the sanitary ware become easy and convenient;

reduction in taking up the space and the floor area of the bathroom because the toilet body or the bidet or the urinal may be hidden in an inoperative state.

The invention features multiple functions and novel appearance and may be applied to a variety of places.

To have a better understanding of the invention reference is made to the following detailed description of the invention and embodiments thereof in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a sanitary ware of a first preferred embodiment according to the invention showing the toilet body in a concealed state;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a sanitary ware of a first preferred embodiment according to the invention showing the toilet body in an operative state;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a transmission mechanism of the toilet body;

Figure 4 is a view of a T-shaped pipe fitting of the toilet body;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a sanitary ware of a second preferred embodiment according to the invention showing the toilet body in a concealed state;

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Figure 6 is a perspective view of a sanitary ware of a second preferred embodiment according to the invention showing the toilet body is in an operative state; and

Figure 7 is a circuit control diagram according to the invention.

5 In the drawings, the parts are denoted by like reference numerals.

Reference will first be made to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings in which a sanitary ware is provided consistent with a first embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment will be described in detail in conjunction also with Figures 3 and 4.

10 In this embodiment, the sanitary ware comprises a washbasin 4, a flush toilet including a toilet body 1 and a rectangular frame 6, wherein the washbasin 4 is located on top of the frame 6, the toilet body 1 is arranged beneath the frame 6, and an infrared sensor 2 and a control knob 3 are provided at the front portion of the frame 6. In Figure 3, a pair of pivot pins 8 are mounted at both sides of one 15 end of the toilet body 1 in a manner that they extend axially parallel to the floor. For the sake of supporting the pivot pins 8, a bearing bracket 11 is disposed at each side of the lower portion of the frame 6. Bearing brackets 17 for supporting a first driving shaft 15 are respectively installed at both sides of the bottom of the frame 6, two ends of the first driving shaft 15 are respectively supported on the 20 bearing brackets 17. It should be understood that the position where the driving shaft 15 is mounted is valid for bearing bracket 17, and vice versa.

An electric drive pusher 12, such as an electric motor, is installed at the lower rear portion of the frame 6 for driving rotation of the toilet body 1. A transmission mechanism including the first driving shaft 15, a crank 13, an arm 10 25 and a support 9 is arranged between the electric drive pusher 12 and the toilet body 1, wherein one end of the pusher 12 is movably connected to the intermediate position of the crank 13 which has two ends fixedly connected to an

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intermediate portion of the first driving shaft 15; the arm 10 is at one end fixedly connected to the intermediate portion of the first driving shaft 15 and at its other end movably connected to the intermediate portion of the support 9; and the support 9 has one end movably connected to the rear portion of the toilet body 1.

5 It should be understood that in the transmission mechanism, there may be provided more than one support 9 and arm 10.

The toilet body 1 is provided with a water-in port and a water-out port at its rear portion. The water-in port is sequentially connected to a first solenoid valve 22 and a water tank via a first rotatable connection pipe fitting 19. The 10 water-out port is connected to a second rotatable connection pipe fitting 20, a T-shaped pipe fitting 27 and a first water discharge pipe 29 in sequence. The T-shaped pipe fitting 27 is connected to a second solenoid valve 28 and then a second water discharge pipe 30 in a vertical direction, as shown in Figure 4. The first and second rotatable connection pipe fittings 19 and 20 are arranged between 15 the pivot pins 8 in such a manner that the central axis of each of the pipe fittings 19, 20 is aligned with that of each of the pivot pins 8.

According to the invention, the sanitary ware may be operated manually or automatically.

In the manual operation, the toilet body 1 may be driven to rotate in 20 forward and reverse directions by pulling a concave handle 14 arranged thereon.

In the automatic operation, pressing the control knob 3 causes backward movement of the pusher 12 to drive rotation of the toilet body 1 in a counterclockwise direction through the crank 13, the first driving shaft 15, the arm 10 and the support 9. The backward movement of the pusher 12 is stopped when a first 25 sensor 23 detects that the toilet body 1 has been rotated by 90 degrees to a position where the toilet body 1 is supported on the floor by the support 9 and is positioned for use, as shown in Figure 2. The second solenoid valve 28 is in an open position and the electric drive pusher 12 starts to move forward to cause clockwise rotation

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of the toilet body 1 when the infrared sensor 2 detects that the user leaves the toilet body 1. The forward movement of the pusher 12 is stopped and the solenoid valve 28 is closed when a fourth sensor 26 detects that the toilet body 1 rotates by 90 degrees to a position where the toilet body 1 is positioned for concealment, as 5 shown in Figure 1. Thereafter, the first solenoid valve 22 is opened and a sprinkler 31 is actuated to flush the interior and exterior of the toilet body 1 at the time a microprocessor begins counting time. When this counting is finished, the solenoid valve 22 is closed, which is followed by operating a hot-air blower 32 and the second time-counting. The hot-air blower is closed when the second 10 counting is finished.

Referring now to Figures 5 and 6, a sanitary ware consistent with a second embodiment of the invention is shown. This embodiment is similar in structure and operation to that disclosed in the first embodiment, but significantly differing in the following aspects that:

15 a pair of pivot pins 8 are disposed at one end of the toilet body 1 in a linear spaced relationship perpendicular to the floor rather than parallel to the floor;

the bearing brackets 11 are mounted on the upper and lower front portion of the frame 6 rather than at both sides of the rear portion of the frame 6;

the first and second rotatable connection pipe fittings 19 and 20 are 20 arranged between the two pivot pins 8 in such a manner that the central axis of each of the pipe fittings is aligned with that of each of the pivot pins, but said alignment is perpendicular to the floor rather than parallel to the floor;

the transmission mechanism includes a first driving shaft 15, a crank 13 and an arm 10 wherein one end of the arm 10 is movably connected to the toilet 25 bodyl;

the support 9 has one end which is fixedly connected to the bottom of the toilet body 1 and another end which is provided with a wheel.

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According to this second embodiment, these distinct structures allow translational rotation of the toilet body 1 along the floor.

In this embodiment, a toilet cover 7 of the toilet body 1 is actuated to rotate by an electric motor 16 which forms an assembly with a gear and a second 5 driving shaft 18. This assembly is mounted on the upper rear portion of the toilet body 1 in such a manner that one end of the cover 7 is fixedly connected to two ends of the second driving shaft 18. The electric motor 16 rotates in the forward direction to drive clockwise rotation of the cover 7 through the gear and the second driving shaft 18 and is stopped to rotate after the cover 7 reaches the fully 10 opened position, which is detected by a second sensor 24. The electric motor 16 rotates in the reverse direction to drive counter-clockwise rotation of the cover 7 and is stopped to rotate after the cover 7 reaches the fully closed position, which is detected by a third sensor 25.

In Figure 7, a circuit control diagram according to the invention is shown, 15 wherein the first and fourth sensors 23 and 26 are arranged on the frame 6, the second and third sensors 24 and 25 are mounted at the upper rear portion of the toilet body 1, and the infrared sensor 2 and the control knob 3 are mounted at the upper front portion of the frame 6. These sensors send input signals to the microprocessor for controlling the operation of the sanitary ware. When pressing 20 down the control knob 3, the microprocessor starts working, then processes the input signals through a self-program to export output signals for controlling the electric drive pusher 12, the electric motor 16 and the solenoid valves 22,28 to work accordingly.

It is understood that many other embodiments of the present invention are 25 also possible and many corresponding modifications as well as variations can be made by those skilled in the art as according to the disclosure of the present invention and without departing from the scope of the present invention.

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Claims

1. A concealed sanitary ware comprising a frame; a washbasin which is adaptively combined with the frame; and a flush toilet including a toilet body which is arranged beneath the frame, wherein a pair of pivot pins are mounted at

5 both sides of one end of the toilet body, each of said pivot pins is supported on a respective bearing bracket fixed to the frame; and the toilet body is connected to a transmission mechanism.

2. A concealed sanitary ware comprising: a frame; a washbasin which is adaptively combined with the frame; and a flush toilet including a toilet body

10 which is arranged beneath the frame, wherein a pair of pivot pins are mounted at the top and bottom at one end of the toilet body, each of said pivot pins being located in a respective bearing bracket fitted to the frame; and the toilet body is connected to a transmission mechanism.

3. A concealed sanitary ware as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the 15 transmission mechanism is arranged to be driven by an electric motor.

4. A concealed sanitary ware as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a water-in port and a water-out port are located at the rear portion of the toilet body, the water-in port being sequentially connected to a water supply pipe, a first solenoid valve and a water tank via a first rotatable connection pipe fitting

20 and the water-out port being connected to a first water discharge pipe via a second rotatable connection pipe fitting; the first and second rotatable connection pipe fittings, each of which is constructed of two pipe sleeves and a seal member embedded into the joint of two pipe sleeves, being arranged between the two pivot pins in such a manner that the central axis of each of the pipe fittings is aligned 25 with that of each of the pivot pins.

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5. A concealed sanitary ware as claimed in claim 4, wherein a T-shaped pipe fitting is arranged in the first water discharge pipe in such a manner that one horizontal end of the T-shaped pipe fitting is connected to the water-out port via the second rotatable connection pipe fitting, another horizontal end thereof is

5 connected to the first water discharge pipe, and one vertical end thereof is sequentially connected to a second solenoid valve and a second water discharge pipe.

6. A concealed sanitary ware as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a concave handle is provided at the front portion of the toilet body.

10 7. A concealed sanitary ware as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the toilet body is provided with one or more supports, each support being at one end movably or fixedly connected to the toilet body and being at its other end fitted with a wheel.

8. A concealed sanitary ware as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, 15 wherein one or more sprinklers having a water-out direction towards the toilet body is provided on the frame.

9. A concealed sanitary ware as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a hot-air blower having an air-blowing direction towards the toilet body is provided on the frame.

20 10. A concealed sanitary ware as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flush toilet is replaced by a bidet or a urinal.

11. A concealed sanitary ware substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows

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1. A concealed sanitary ware comprising a frame; a washbasin which is adaptively combined with the frame; and a flush toilet, bidet or urinal including a body which is arranged beneath the frame, wherein a pair of pivot pins are mounted at both sides of one end of the body, each of said pivot pins is supported on a respective bearing bracket fixed to the frame; and the body is connected to a transmission mechanism.

2. A concealed sanitary ware comprising: a frame; a washbasin which is adaptively combined with the frame; and a flush toilet, bidet or urinal including a body which is arranged beneath the frame, wherein a pair of pivot pins are mounted at the top and bottom at one end of the body, each of said pivot pins being located in a respective bearing bracket fitted to the frame; and the body is connected to a transmission mechanism.

3. A concealed sanitary ware as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the transmission mechanism is arranged to be driven by an electric motor.

4. A concealed sanitary ware as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a water-in port and a water-out port are located at the rear portion of the body, the water-in port being sequentially connected to a water supply pipe, a first solenoid valve and a water tank via a first rotatable connection pipe fitting and the water-out port being connected to a first water discharge pipe via a second rotatable connection pipe fitting; the first and second rotatable connection pipe fittings, each of which is constructed of two pipe sleeves and a seal member embedded into the joint of two pipe sleeves, being arranged between the two pivot pins in such a manner that the central axis of each of the pipe fittings is aligned with that of each of the pivot pins.

u

5. A concealed sanitary ware as claimed in claim 4, wherein a T-shaped pipe fitting is arranged in the first water discharge pipe in such a manner that one horizontal end of the T-shaped pipe fitting is connected to the water-out port via the second rotatable connection pipe fitting, another horizontal end thereof is connected to the first water discharge pipe, and one vertical end thereof is sequentially connected to a second solenoid valve and a second water discharge pipe.

6. A concealed sanitary ware as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a concave handle is provided at the front portion of the body.

7. A concealed sanitary ware as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body is provided with one or more supports, each support being at one end movably or fixedly connected to the body and being at its other end fitted with a wheel.

8. A concealed sanitary ware as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein one or more sprinklers having a water-out direction towards the body is provided on the frame.

9. A concealed sanitary ware as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a hot-air blower having an air-blowing direction towards the body is provided on the frame.

10. A concealed sanitary ware substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings.