JP7281209B2 - Accessory assembly for toilet bowl with service device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates generally to toilet bowls of the type suitable for having a toilet seat assembly provided with service devices such as, for example, devices for adding bidet function, detergent dispensers, toilet seat protective film dispensers, and the like.

There is a felt need in the art to provide a solution that facilitates the maintenance of the toilet seat assembly and possible replacement or removal of the device.

For this purpose, the subject of the invention is an attachment assembly for a toilet bowl comprising a frame, a service device and a top plate, comprising:
The frame is suitable for attachment to a device seat formed inside the toilet bowl body of the toilet bowl,
The service apparatus comprises an apparatus housing portion and at least one service device carried by the apparatus housing portion and adapted to provide an auxiliary function to use of the toilet bowl,
a device housing portion suitable for removably coupling to the frame and having an upper portion and a lower portion extending from the upper portion;
the top plate is suitable for removably coupling to the top of the frame or device housing part;
the frame and top plate form an assembly surrounding at least the top of the device housing portion;
the frame has a flat portion adapted to be placed around the edge of the device seat;
the flat portion has at least one opening suitable for the lower portion of the device housing portion to pass through;
the device housing part and the frame each have connecting means configured for a removable connection between the device housing part and the frame;
An accessory assembly for a toilet bowl.

The frame may further comprise a housing portion extending from the flat portion and suitable for enclosing the lower portion of the device housing portion.

In this case, the housing part comprises means suitable for being connected on one side to at least one hydraulic or electrical connector of the service device and on the other side to an external hydraulic or power supply network, the service device At least one hydraulic or electrical connection may be established between the and an external supply network.

Alternatively, a direct connection may be realized between the hydraulic or electrical connector of the service equipment and the external supply network.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the device housing part and the frame are configured for push-push or push-pull mounting of the device support onto the frame, and the connecting means connect the device support to the frame. At least one hydraulic or electrical connector is configured to automatically connect when attached to the

In one embodiment, the flat portion of the frame has a central bridge portion extending between opposite sides of the flat portion, the bridge portion providing support for the top of the device housing portion.

The frame and the device housing part may each have guide means arranged to guide the insertion of the service device into the frame.

The top plate and the device housing part or the top plate and the frame are configured for a quick mating connection between the top plate and the device housing part or between the top plate and the frame respectively. Connection means may be provided.

Control means may be arranged on the top plate, the control means being suitable to be operated by a user to control the service device.

The service device may in particular be a bidet device, a detergent dispenser, a toilet seat protective film dispenser, or a combination thereof.

Another object of the present invention is a toilet comprising a toilet body and an accessory assembly,
The toilet body separates the inner container and has an upper surface,
the top portion has a toilet seat portion surrounding the inner container and a toilet seat mounting portion substantially coplanar with the toilet seat portion;
A device seat portion is formed inside the toilet seat mounting portion,
An accessory assembly according to the present invention is attached to the device seat.

Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention, provided for illustrative and non-limiting purposes only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is an exploded view of a different embodiment of a toilet seat assembly according to the present invention; FIG. Figure 2 is an exploded view of a different embodiment of a toilet seat assembly according to the present invention; Figure 3 is an exploded view of a different embodiment of a toilet seat assembly according to the present invention; Figure 4 is an exploded view of a different embodiment of a toilet seat assembly according to the present invention; Figure 5 is an exploded view of a different embodiment of a toilet seat assembly according to the present invention; Figure 6 is an exploded view of a different embodiment of a toilet seat assembly according to the present invention; Figure 7 is an exploded view of a different embodiment of a toilet seat assembly according to the present invention; Figure 8 is an exploded view of a different embodiment of a toilet seat assembly according to the present invention; Figure 9 is an exploded view of a different embodiment of a toilet seat assembly according to the present invention; Figure 10 is an exploded view of a different embodiment of a toilet seat assembly according to the present invention; Figure 11 is an exploded view of a different embodiment of a toilet seat assembly according to the present invention; Figure 12a is a partial perspective view of different connection methods between the upper plate and the frame of the toilet seat assembly according to the invention; Figure 12b is a partial perspective view of different connection methods between the upper plate and the frame of the toilet seat assembly according to the invention. Figure 13a is a partial perspective view of different connection methods between the upper plate and the frame of the toilet seat assembly according to the invention; Figure 13b is a partial perspective view of different connection methods between the top plate and the frame of the toilet seat assembly according to the invention; Figure 14a is a partial perspective view of different connection methods between the upper plate and the frame of the toilet seat assembly according to the invention; Figure 14b is a partial perspective view of different connection methods between the upper plate and the frame of the toilet seat assembly according to the invention. Figure 15a is a partial perspective view of different connection methods between the top plate and the frame of the toilet seat assembly according to the invention; Figure 15b is a partial perspective view of different connection methods between the upper plate and the frame of the toilet seat assembly according to the invention; Figure 16 is an exploded view of a different embodiment of a toilet seat assembly according to the present invention;

In the various embodiments illustrated in the drawings, corresponding components are assigned the same reference numerals.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a toilet bowl with a toilet bowl body 10 (eg, ceramic material). The toilet bowl body 10 partitions the inner container 11 and has an upper surface portion 13 . The upper surface portion 13 has a toilet seat portion 13a surrounding the inner container and a toilet seat mounting portion 13b substantially coplanar with the toilet seat portion 13a. A device seat portion 14 is formed inside the toilet seat attachment portion 13b. In the illustrated example, the device seat is formed by two cavities separated by a central bridge. However, the device seat 14 can have different shapes.

The toilet bowl further comprises a toilet seat assembly suitable for attachment to the device seat 14 by conventional means (eg screws, bolts or screwing means such as expansion plugs).

The toilet seat assembly comprises a frame 20 suitable for attachment to the device seat 14 in the manner described above. In the example of FIG. 1, the frame 20 has a flat portion 21 suitable for being placed around the edge of the device seat 14 . The flat portion 21 of the frame has a central bridge portion 21a extending between opposite sides of the flat portion to form two through openings 23. As shown in FIG.

The toilet seat assembly further comprises a service device 30. As shown in FIG. In the illustrated example, the service device 30 comprises a device for adding a bidet function to a toilet bowl. According to an embodiment not shown, the service device may consist of a detergent dispenser, a toilet seat protective film dispenser, or a combination of the aforementioned devices.

From a structural point of view, apparatus 30 generally comprises an apparatus support 31 (eg, box) that holds devices 33 conventionally provided for operating the apparatus. For example, in the case of a bidet apparatus, said device may comprise valves, conduits, tanks, suitable for example to connect the water distribution nozzle 34 to an external water supply network and provide the function of distributing wash water. good. The device may include, for example, fans and conduits to provide air drying functionality. Furthermore, sensors suitable for being connected to an external power supply network, heating devices and electrical circuits for controlling the apparatus may be provided. It is understood that the types of devices described above are merely examples provided for illustrative purposes, and that other commonly utilized devices of this type may be held by the device support 31. .

Device support 31 is suitable for removably coupling to frame 20 and has an upper portion 35 and a lower portion 36 extending from upper portion 35 . The upper portion 35 forms a kind of peripheral flange to the lower portion 36 . In the illustrated example, both the support 31 and the frame 20 may be attached to the toilet body 10 by the same attachment means.

In the example shown, hydraulic conduits 37 and electrical cables 38 emerge from the device support 31 . Hydraulic conduit 37 and electrical cable 38 are provided with connectors for connection to hydraulic conduit H for supplying water and electricity to the device and to cable E of an external power grid, respectively.

The opening 23 in the flat portion of the frame 20 is adapted to cross the lower portion 36 of the device support 31 while the bridge portion 21a provides support for the upper portion 35 of the device support 31 .

The toilet seat assembly further comprises a top plate 40. As shown in FIG. Hinged to the top plate 40 is a toilet seat 50 for a conventional toilet bowl having a seat surface and a lid.

Top plate 40 is suitable for removably coupling to frame 20 or top portion 35 of device support 31 , frame 20 and top plate 40 forming an assembly surrounding at least top portion 35 of device support 31 . ing.

A removable cover portion 41 is mounted on the top plate 40 and covers any passages to the devices below formed inside the plate 40 (e.g., holes for introducing anti-scaling tablets or liquids, etc.). You can cover it.

Referring to FIG. 2 , a different embodiment provides that the frame 20 further comprises a housing portion 25 extending from the flat portion 21 of the frame and suitable for enclosing the lower portion 36 of the device support 31 .

The housing portion 25 of the frame has connectors 26a and 26b. The connectors 26a, 26b are adapted to be connected on one side to a hydraulic connector 36a and an electrical connector 36b, respectively, integrated in the service equipment and on the other side to external hydraulic conduits H and electrical cables E. there is

Referring to FIG. 3, a different embodiment provides that the frame 20 does not have a bridge portion 21a and forms only one opening.

Hydraulic connectors 36a and electrical connectors 36b integrated into the service equipment are suitable for connection to external hydraulic conduits H and electrical cables E.

Referring to FIG. 4, a further embodiment provides a frame 20 similar to the embodiment of FIG.

Hydraulic connectors 36a and electrical connectors 36b integrated into the service equipment are suitable for connection to external hydraulic conduits H and electrical cables E.

With reference to the embodiment of FIG. 5 , the frame 20 and the device support 31 each have guide means 29 , 39 arranged to guide the insertion of the service device 30 into the frame 20 . In the illustrated example, the guide means are a pair of ribs formed on opposite sides of the frame 20 and extending toward the inside of the opening 23 and a pair of corresponding ribs formed on the device support 31 . grooves and The arrangement of ribs and grooves may be reversed. Furthermore, the shape of the guide means may be different.

With reference to the embodiment of FIG. 6 , the frame 20 and the device support 31 each have guide means 29 , 39 arranged to guide the insertion of the service device 30 into the frame 20 . In the illustrated example, the guide means are a pair of ribs formed on opposite sides of the bridge portion 21 a of the frame 20 and extending toward the inside of the opening 23 , and corresponding ribs on the device support 31 . It consists of a pair of formed grooves.

Referring to the embodiment of FIG. 7, device support 31 and frame 20 are provided with connection means 61, 63, respectively, configured for a quick mating connection between device support 31 and frame 20. ing. In the example shown, the connection means are provided with radial tabs (not shown), knobs rotatably arranged on the upper part 35 of the device support 31, and corresponding grooves formed on the frame 21 and provided with corresponding grooves. It has a seat that is chiseled and shaped to provide a bayonet connection with the radial tab of the knob. The shape of the connecting means may be different. Alternatively, connection means 61 , 63 may be configured for a snap connection between device support 31 and frame 20 . More generally, connection means 61 , 63 are configured for a removable connection between device support 31 and frame 20 .

Referring to the embodiment of FIGS. 8-11, control means 59 suitable for being operated by a user to control the service device may be provided. The control means 59 may comprise, for example, knobs, push buttons, keyboards, cursors, touch displays, etc., and may be located on the top plate 40 (FIGS. 8-10) or on the toilet seat 50 (FIG. 11). . According to other embodiments, the service device may be remotely controlled.

12a-12b, 13a-13b, 14a-14b and 15a-15b, between the top plate 40 and the device support 31 or between the top plate 40 and the frame 20 There may be provided connection means 65, 67 configured for a detachable connection, in particular for quick coupling.

In the example of FIGS. 12a and 12b, the connection means are provided with radial tabs (not shown), knobs rotatably arranged on the top plate 40 and on the frame 20 or on the top 35 of the device support 31 . It has a seat formed thereon and correspondingly grooved and shaped to provide a bayonet connection with the radial tab of the knob.

In the example of Figures 13a and 13b, the connection means consist of a pair of sliders integral with each rod which are resiliently stressed and arranged to slide on the top plate 40 and the frame 20 or device support. It has a corresponding seat formed in the upper portion 35 of 31 and suitable for receiving the free end of the rod.

In the example of FIGS. 14a and 14b, the connecting means comprise hook structures formed on the one hand in the top plate 40 and on the other hand in the frame 20 or the upper part 35 of the device support 31 . The hook structure is configured to effect coupling between the members by sliding the members relative to each other.

In the example of FIGS. 15a and 15b, the connection means comprise ribs formed in the top plate 40 and corresponding grooves formed in the upper portion 35 of the frame 20 or device support 31 . The ribs and grooves are configured to effect coupling between the members by sliding the members relative to each other.

Other forms of connection means may be provided with respect to the connection means described above.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, device support 31 and frame 20 (of the type of FIG. 2) are configured for push-push or push-pull coupling of device support 31 onto frame 20 . In this case, the connectors 26a, 26b of the frame 20 should be configured to automatically connect to the hydraulic and electrical connectors 36a, 36b when the device support 31 is mounted on the frame 20.

For the purposes of this description, push-push means that pressure is applied to both engage the device support 31 with the frame 20 and subsequently effect release of the device support from the frame. Means the type of mechanism added to the device support 31 towards the frame 20 .

Push-pull means that pressure is applied to the device support 31 toward the frame 20 to couple the device support 31 to the frame 20, and to achieve release from the frame, the device support 31 means a pull type mechanism.

Referring to Figure 16, another embodiment is shown. This alternative embodiment differs from the previous embodiment in that the toilet seat 50 is mounted on the toilet bowl body 13 independently of the assembly. In this case the top plate 40 has a simple closing function.

Where possible, elements described above in connection with one embodiment may be combined with elements described in connection with other embodiments.

Claims (14)

A toilet bowl accessory assembly comprising a frame (20), a service device (30) and a top plate (40), comprising:
said frame (20) is arranged around the edge of a device seat (14) formed inside a toilet bowl body (13) of the toilet bowl;
Said service apparatus (30) comprises an apparatus housing part (31) and at least one service device (33) carried by said apparatus housing part (31) and suitable for providing an auxiliary function to the use of the toilet bowl. prepared,
said device housing part is suitable for removably coupling to said frame (20) and has an upper part (35) and a lower part (36) extending from said upper part (35);
said top plate (40) is suitable for detachable coupling to said frame (20) or top (35) of said device housing part (31),
said frame (20) and said top plate (40) form an assembly surrounding at least the top (35) of said device housing part (31),
said frame (20) has a flat portion (21) adapted to be placed around the edge of said device seat (14);
said flat part has at least one opening (23) suitable for the lower part (36) of said device housing part (31) to pass through;
Said device housing part (31) and said frame (20) each comprise connecting means (61) configured for a removable connection between said device housing part (31) and said frame (20). , 63),
An accessory assembly for a toilet bowl. Said service equipment (30) comprises at least one hydraulic or electrical connector (37, 38; 36a, 36b) suitable to be connected to an external hydraulic or electrical grid (H, E),
at least one hydraulic or electrical connection is established between the service device (30) and an external supply network;
A toilet accessory assembly according to claim 1. 2. Claim 1 or wherein said frame (20) further comprises a housing part (25) extending from said flat part (21) and suitable for enclosing a lower part (36) of said device housing part (31). 3. A toilet bowl accessory assembly according to claim 2. Said housing part (25) is connected on one side to at least one hydraulic or electrical connector (36a, 36b) of said service device (30) and on the other side to an external water or power grid (H,E ), comprising connection means (26a, 26b) suitable for being connected to
at least one hydraulic or electrical connection is established between the service device (30) and an external supply network;
A toilet accessory assembly according to claim 3. the device housing portion and the frame are configured to engage when the device housing portion (31) is pressed toward the frame (20);
The connecting means of said housing part (25) connect to at least one hydraulic or electrical connector of said device housing part (31) when said device housing part (31) and said frame (20) are engaged. configured to be connected,
A toilet accessory assembly according to claim 4. a flat portion (21) of said frame (20) having a central bridge portion (21a) extending between opposite sides of said flat portion (21);
said bridge portion provides support for the upper portion (35) of said device housing portion (31);
Accessory assembly for a toilet bowl according to any one of claims 1-5. The frame (20) and the device housing part (31) each have guide means (29, 39) adapted to guide the insertion of the service device (30) into the frame (20). An accessory assembly for a toilet bowl according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the Said top plate (40) and said device housing part (31) or said top plate (40) and said frame (20) are respectively formed between said top plate (40) and said device housing part (31). 8. Any of claims 1 to 7, comprising connection means (65, 67) configured for a quick mating connection between or between said top plate (40) and said frame (20) 10. An accessory assembly for a toilet bowl according to claim 1. Control means (59) are arranged on said top plate (40),
said control means being suitable to be operated by a user to control said service device (30);
Accessory assembly for a toilet bowl according to any one of claims 1-8. A toilet bowl according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said service device (30) is selected from the group consisting of a bidet device, a detergent dispenser, a toilet seat protection film dispenser and combinations thereof. accessory assembly. said service device (30) is a bidet device comprising at least one water dispensing nozzle (34);
Said service device comprises at least one valve device (33) hydraulically connected to a water distribution nozzle (34) and suitable for being connected to a water supply network.
A toilet accessory assembly according to claim 10. A toilet accessory according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said top plate (40) carries a toilet seat (50) hinged to said top plate (40). Assembly. A toilet accessory assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, adapted to be mounted on the toilet bowl body (13) independently of the toilet seat (50). . A toilet comprising a toilet body (13) and an accessory assembly,
The toilet body (13) separates the inner container (11) and has an upper surface (13),
The upper surface portion (13) has a toilet seat portion (13a) surrounding the inner container (11) and a toilet seat mounting portion (13b) substantially flush with the toilet seat portion (13a),
A device seat portion (14) is formed inside the toilet seat attachment portion (13b),
Toilet bowl, wherein an attachment assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 13 is arranged around the edge of the device seat (14).

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