NZ199211A - Toilet cistern assembly:storage and seat assembly concealing the flush pipe - Google Patents

Description

199211 PATENTS FORM NO. 5 PATENTS ACT 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION ——————- NO: 199211 Date: 9th December 19 81 Complete After Provisional IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO FURNITURE I, MACDONALD NEAME of 59 Holdsworth Street, Blenheim, New Zealand, a British subject and New Zealand citizen, hereby declare the invention, for which I pray that a Patent may be granted to me and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: 199211 The present invention relates to improvements in and relating to toilet cistern assemblies.

To the present time toilet cistern assemblies suffer from various disadvantages more particularly in respect of the exposed flush pipe connecting the toilet bowl and the cistern and the lack of any storage space associated with the cistern. The former disadvantage detracts from the appearance of even well designed cisterns and toilet seat assemblies whilst the latter disadvantage frequently results in toilet cleansers, toilet rolls etc. being stored in unsightly manner on the top of the cistern.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a cistern assembly obviating at least the above disadvantages of assemblies available to the present time.

According to one embodiment of the present invention there is thus provided a cistern assembly comprising a cistern tank, an open substantially hollow storage means positioned beneath the cistern tank and covering over a flush pipe extending from the cistern tank to a toilet bowl, and a toilet seat assembly connected at a lower end of said storage means.

The present invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein; FIGURE 1 : shows diagrammatically an exploded view of a cistern assembly according to one embodiment of the invention, FIGURE 2 : shows a plan view of the cistern )EU985"J; ' <?/ FIGURES 3 FIGURES' 4 FIGURES 5 FIGURES 6 FIGURES 7 FIGURES' 8 FIGURE 9 199211 FIGURE 10 : FIGURE 11 : tank of Figure 1; show front , and' side elevational and plan views of the storage bin of Figure 1; show front elevational, cross-sectional and plan views of the bin carcassof Figure 1; show front and side elevational and plan views of the facing panel of Figure 1; show underside, plan, front and rear elevational and cross-sectional views of the seat fixing component of Figure 1? show plan, rear, front and side elevational and cross-sectional views of the toilet seat lid of Figure 1? show plan, front and side elevational and cross-sectional views of the toilet seat of Figure 1; showsan exploded side view of-the cistern assembly of Figure 1; shows a front view of the assembled, cistern assembly of Figure 1; shows a side elevational view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention. 199211 As mentioned above the present invention provides a toilet cistern assembly which in providing storage or cupboard space between the cistern and the toilet seat also enables the hiding from view of the flush pipe connect-5 ing the cistern to the lavatory bowl.

In one embodiment of the invention as indicated in exploded views in Figures 1 and 9 and in assembled form in Figure 10 the cistern assembly comprises nine inter-connectable components, the flush and other pipes and fittings 10 to the cistern and the flush control mechanism being omitted for clarity.

Thus as shown in Figure 1 a cistern tank lid 1 includes a recess 2 into which a flush control plunger 3 can be fitted. The plunger 3 at its bottom end 4 is shown 15 provided with suitable tabs whereby the connection to the cistern valve can be made.

The bottom of the cistern lid 1 is adapted to fit over and be secured with the open upper end of the cistern tank 5.This engagement and sealing therebetween 20 can be achieved in any suitable manner such as the sealing engagement between respective flanges or projections and apertures on the respective edges of the components 1 and 5 and/or by the use of suitable sealant/adhesive. The resultant cistern defined by lid 1 and tank 5 provides the 2 5 required space therein for containing a suitable quantity of flushing water together with the associated flushing equipment of any suitable type. The bottom edge 37 of .the tank 5 fits over the upper edge of a storage bin carcass • 6. Within this carcass6 a storage bin 7 can be hingedly i' 19921 mounted so that the insertion into and removal therefrom of articles such as toilet cleansers, toilet rolls and the like can be readily achieved.

A bottom end of the carcass 6 can locate on a top end of a facing panel 8 an inside edge of which can then connect with a toilet pan fixing 9.

This fixing 9 enables the hinged connection thereto of the toilet seat 10 and toilet seat lid 11.

In Figure 2 the tank 5 is shown with a hole 12 in its base to which the flush pipe (not shown) can be fitted as well as two other holes 13 which may be utilized for any other pipe connections into the cistern tank 5.

The front of the tank 5 is shown with a lip 14 facilitating the connection of the tank 5 with the tank lid 1 and a tapered front wall 15 extending down to a bottom lipped edge 16 adapted for abutting contact with a top edge 17 of storage bin 7 (see Figure 3).

The tank 5 will suitably have a plurality of downwardly depending pins 18, only one being shown in outline, which can facilitate the welding of the bottom of the tank 5 with the top of the bin carcass 6, see Figure 4D, along its braces 19 with its apertures 20, only one being shown in outline, provided therein.

Referring to Figure 3 the storage bin or cupboard 7 is shown with a front face having an aperture 21 providing a finger hole. At the bottom of the front face a pair of slots 22 are provided into which the upstanding flexible tabs 23 of facing panel 8, see Figures 5, can be inserted to enable tl^e hinging of the bin 7 thereabout. 199211 The back of the bin 7 is shown with an inturned portion defining a.channel from the top to the bottom of the bin 7 which can accommodate the flush pipe when the bin 7 is closed. The bin compartments 7A are of suitable size to accommodate various toilet articles.

The back of the bin 7 is also shown including upstanding tabs 2 5 which are again flexible and which can act as catches releasibly holding the bin 7 in its closed position by engagement of the tabs 25 behind suitably disposed flanges or lips provided at the back of the carcass 6 or on the base of the tank 5.

Referring now to Figures 4,the top of the bin carcass is shown having a pair of diagonal braces 19 each with spaced apart apertures 20, only one being shown in outline, which can accommodate the respective pins 18 on the base of the tank 5. The carcass 6 is substantially hollow enabling the pivotting of the bin 7 therein.

A bottom part of the carcass 6, as shown in the sectional view in Figure 4B, includes a pair of slots 26 which can respectively accommodate one of the projections 27 of the facing panel 8, see Figures 5.

Referring to Figures 5, as well as the pair of projections 27 for locating in the slots 26 of the carcass 6 of Figures 4, the facing panel 8 is also shown provided with a pair of upstanding flexible tabs 23 which, as mentioned above, can locate in respective slots 22 of the bin 7 so as to provide for the hinging of the bin 7 within the carcass 6.

\ A front part of the facing panel 8 defines a ledge or lip 28 which can be accommodated beneath- a rear portion of a pan fixing 9 as described hereinafter with 199211 respect to Figures 6.

A substantially central portion 29 of the facing panel 8 is shown curved so as to provide a smooth profile between the pan fixing 9 and the bottom of the bin 7 as 5 shown particularly in Figure 10.

Referring now to Figures 6 of the accompanying drawings a pan fixing 9 provides securement of the bottom part of the assembly to the lavatory pan 30 and the hinging thereto of the seat 10 and seat lid 11. 10 Referring firstly to Figure 6A the underside of the fixing 9 is shown including a. plate 31 having a pair of slots 32 wherein the head of a bolt or other suitable attachments means can be accommodated in securing the fixing 9 to the lavatory bowl 30 in any suitable manner. A rear portion 15 33 of the fixing 9 is as mentioned above substantially hollow so as to accommodate the front portion 28 of the facing panel 8.

The front part 34 of the fixing 9 is shown provided on either side thereof with'laterally extending pivots 35. 20 The size and positioning of the pivots 35 is such that both the toilet seat 10 and seat lid 11 can pivot thereon as will be described hereinafter.

As seen particularly in Figure 6E each pivot 35 is substantially oval in cross-section and as shown is integrally 2 5 formed with the fixing 9 suitably as an integral moulding. However it will be appreciated that the two pivots 35 could be replaced by a single rod for example of stainless steel extending through the fixing front portion 34.

Referring now to Figures 7 and 8 of the accompany- ' ' 19921 ing drawings a toilet seat 10 is shown having along a rear edge thereof a pair of part-open hinge members 36 which are adapted to clip or slide over a respective pivot 35 to enable the seat 10 to then pivot as required relative to the fixing 9.

As seen particularly in Figures 8D-F the seat lid 11 can be positioned so as to be substantially aligned at its rear end with the rear end of the seat 10 but to overlap the seat 10 along both sides and at the front portion 10 thereof.

Referring particularly to Figure 7 the seat lid 11 is shown at a rear- end thereof with a pair of part-open hinge members 37 which again can clip or slide onto a respective pivot 35 to enable the lid 11 to pivot as required 15 relative to the fixing 9.

With the approximately oval- cross-section of the pivot 35, in fact curved at each end and substantially straight in the central portions, the hinge members 36 and 37 in normal use can pivot about the curved portions of the pivot 35 as 20 bearing surfaces but the thinner lateral width of the pivot 35 enablesthe speedy introduction of the members 36 and 37 onto and over the pivot 35 from a substantially vertical direction.

Referring particularly to Figures 9 and 10 the 25 interconnection of the components forming the cistern assembly is particularly shown and in the latter figure in conjunction with the lavatory pan 30 shown in outline.

Of particular note in Figure 9 is the bottom edge 37 of the cistern tank 5 providing an abuttment surface for 30 the top edge('of the bin 7 when in its closed position. 199211 In a free-standing lavatory bowl arrangement shown in Figure 11 the lavatory bowl 30A is shown mounted in known manner so as to be connected directly with plumbing behind an adjacent wall 38. The rear portions of the 5 tank top l,tank 5, carcass 6 are also shown recessed within the wall 38.

A narrower facing panel 8 is shown provided for this type of assembly but apart from this difference in width the cistern assembly would be substantially as herein-10 before described. Removal of the bin 7 and the facing panel 8 would enable access for inspection of the sewer connection.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the components 1 to 11 would all be moulded from a suitable plastics material but any suitable material and/or any 15 suitable manufacturing technique may be used as required.

Where in the aforegoing description reference has been made to specific components or integers of the invention having known equivalents then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth. 20 Although this invention has been described by way of example and with reference to possible embodiments ■ thereof modifications, or improvements may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. i

Claims (10)

WHAT I CLAIM/ IS: 199211

1. A cistern assembly comprising a cistern tank, an open substantially hollow storage means positioned beneath the cistern tank and covering over a flush pipe extending from the cistern tank to a toilet bowl, and a toilet seat assembly connected at a lower end of said storage means.

2. A cistern assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said storage means includes a rear portion thereof having a channel defined therein to accommodate said flush pipe.

3. A cistern assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein said storage means is pivotally mounted within a carcass support means.

4. A cistern assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein said carcass support means is connected to said seat assembly by an intermediate facing panel of the seat assembly, said facing panel including flexible hinge means upstanding therefrom which are located in respective apertures along a bottom edge of said storage means.

5. A cistern assembly as claimed in claim 4 wherein said storage means comprises a bin with a pair of compartments on either side of said channel.

6. A cistern assembly as claimed in claim 5 wherein the toilet seat assembly includes a seat fixing means which includes on an underside face thereof apertures to accommodate and retain fasteners connected to the bowl, a locking portion of said fixing means having at least one pivot means engaged by hinge means provided on a rear portion of a seat of said toilet seat assembly. 199211

7. A cistern assembly as claimed in claim 6 wherein said pivot means is of a substantially oval cross section and said hinge means comprises a pair of spaced apart open ended hinge members which can be moved substantially vertically onto said pivot means for subsequent pivoting thereon.

8. A cistern assembly as claimed in claim 7 wherein said seat assembly includes a seat cover having a further pair of spaced apart hinge members engaged, together with said hinge members of said seat, on said pivot means.

9. A cistern assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said cistern tank includes a tank portion to contain a volume of water, an aperture in a bottom portion thereof fitted with said flush pipe, said tank portion having a substantially open upper portion engaged with a lid member, and said lid member having an aperture in an upper portion thereof in which a flush control member is movably accommodated.

10. A cistern assembly substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 10 or Figure 11 of the accompanying drawings. MACDONALD NEAME By his attorneys Bald* i Carey -11-