WO2000026480A1

WO2000026480A1 - Facilitating ablutions

Info

Publication number: WO2000026480A1
Application number: PCT/GB1999/003604
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ade Benjamin Shola Oyediji
Original assignee: Ade Benjamin Shola Oyediji
Priority date: 1998-10-29
Filing date: 1999-10-29
Publication date: 2000-05-11
Also published as: GB9823690D0; AU1055600A; GB2345922A

Abstract

A closely associated water closet (271) and wash basin (231) built as a compact whole and sharing basic inter-fittings thus utilising space and saving water. The wash basin (231) together with the tap (239) being plumbed atop the low level cistern bowl (217) and sharing with the cistern (217), fittings like water hose-pipe (221) inlet tube (258) and waste outlet (241) and excess water outlet (261). T-connections (268) are provided to the inlet tube (258) to facilitate water supply to both the ball valve (256) for filling the cistern (217) and to the tap (239). Waste water from the wash basin (231) empties into the cistern bowl (217) before normal ball valve (256) controlled filling of the latter. The wash basin (231) is installable and de-installable and equally affixable at mid-section or about to a high-level remote coupled water closet.

Description

TITLE: FACILITATING ABLUTIONS

This invention relates to facilitating ablutions with particular reference to achieving closer association of water closets 5 and handwashing facilities than hitherto available.

It has become generally accepted that good hygiene is best served by providing hand- washing facilities in the same room space as

10 water closets for flush-assisted disposal of human waste. This had led strongly towards modern installation of water closets mainly within bathrooms, perhaps particularly where space is at a premium as in hotels and small

15 residential units. The result can be inconvenient, and not to everyone's taste compared with past common practice of having a separate small room for the water closet - albeit often too small also to

20 accommodate a wash basin. Indeed, in modern houses, spare spaces that might accommodate a water closet, as a desirable additional or alternative facility, are often too small also to house every the smallest of

25 wash basins. Boats, caravans and so-called mobile homes often present even greater problems far finding space to take both water closet and wash basin. It is an object of this invention to help in

30 such circumstances.

According to a general aspect of this invention, provision is made for closer association of water facilities, preferably comprising a wash basin above a water

35 closet bowl, further preferably involving some degree of inter-fitment and/or sharing of water supply and/or outlet provisions. In various embodiments and particular inventive aspects of this invention:

40 - common watersupply pipe and related fitting(s) afford branching to water closet and wash basin wash basin waste outlet is through closely associated water closet wash basin adapted to fit about flushing water pipe from high-level water cistern of so-called remote-coupled water closet, conveniently with wash basin waste into the flushing waste pipe localised inset formation of front of the wash basin affording neck/head accommodation for; seated user of the water closet.

Wash basin neatly associated with low- level water cistern of so-called close- coupled water closet, say with wash basin outlet into the cistern, thus indirectly but ultimately through the water closets bowl and waste outlet, conveniently with wash basin compactly integrated as replacement for cistern lid or above shroud provision between the wash basin and the cistern. Wash basin emptying into low-level water closet cistern (or wash basin water running through unplugged, wash basin) can promote a saving of water by double use at least of whatever washing water reaches the water closet cistern normal ball valve a controlled filling of the latter. This requires wash basin emptying after water closet flushing, preferable without lengthy delay - otherwise excess of water will have to go thorough the customary water cistern over-flow.

Such saving/re-use of wash basin water to fill the water closet cistern can usefully be enhanced by means operative to alternate flow of supply water to the wash basin tap or to the cistern ball valve. Such means could involve temporarily preventing ball valve opening operation, say by some linkage selectively engaging and disengaging customary ball valve arm to keep cistern water supply valve closed, which linkage may involve extension of known lever linkages for remote operation of wash basin outlet closures or plugs. Alternatively such means could involve effectively two-way valve, alternately directing incoming water supply out to the wash basin tap or out to the water closet ball valve whether with a separate operating knob or lever or with suitable inter-linking with wash basin tap and/or water closet flush lever. Specific implementations for the invention will now be described in outline, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figures IA, B, C are outline front side and detail plan views of an embodiment of the invention for remote-coupled water closet with a high- level cistern; Figure 2 is an outline side view of an embodiment of the invention for a close-coupled water closet with a low-level cistern and showing directly superposed hand basin; Figure 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention for a low-level cistern close-coupled water closet; and Figures 4A and 4B are outline internal front and scrap side views of a low-level cistern and modification, respectively, both using a shroud. Referring first to Figure IA-C, a floor-mounted water closet bowl unit 11 with hinged seat 13 is shown with usual flutes I4A,B for access to floor fixing screws, and flushing water feed pipe 15 down from a high level water cistern 17 shown with handle-and-chain or cord flush actuator 19. A water supply pipe 21 is also shown to the water cistern specifically ball valve mechanism thereof (not shown). The flushing water feed pipe 15 and the water supply pipe 21 are each shown with T- fittings 23 and 25 respectively. A Wash basin 31 is shown fixed to wall 33 behind the water cistern 17 and flushing water pipe 15, specifically with a basin inset 35 to accommodate the flushing water pipel5 and water supply pipe extension 37 from the T-fitting 23 eventually to a faucet tap 39 fitted to the basin. Waste outlet 41 of the wash basin 31 is shown going to a water trap provision

43 with out-feed 45 to the T-fitting 25 in the flushing, water pipe 15. The wash basin 31 is installed at whatever height is convenient for washing hands after use of the water closet 11. Waste from the wash basin 31 will go into the water closet bowl 11. The water trap 43 may include a one- way flow provision to prevent flushing water entering or even flooding the bowl from the pipe 15 when flushing the water closet. A suitable float in the water trap

43 might suffice. Turning to Figures 2 and 3, the same references are used for the same or equivalent parts, further generally advanced by 100 relative to Figures IA - C. Water closet bowl 111 with fix-aiding f I uti ng 11 and seat 113 is of close-coupled type relative to low-level cistern 117 and an extension 116 above flushing water-feed 115. Wash basin 131 with faucet/tap 139 is shown superposed directly atop the water cistern 117 in any convenient way. A part-turn rotary flush handle 119 is shown in the usual front position in Figure 2 for operation in the usual way, but side mounted in Figure 3 for different expedient operation. Figure 3 also shows central indenting 131A of the wash basin 131 for accommodating neck/head of user seated on the water closet bowl 111: Like provision thereof, say the wash basin 31 of Figures IA- C. There will be functionally customary ball- valve control and siphonic unit flushing actions within the cisterns 117, and suitable provisions for a common water supply to both the cistern ball valves and the taps 139. Figure 4A shows a low-level water cistern 217 on water closet bowl extension:2l6 above flushing water feed 215. The cistern 217 is shown complete with customary ball valve control provision via ball 251, connected arm 252, arm hinge 253, arm-mounted valve operator 254 cooperating with valve actuator 255 and valve 256 connected 'to angled head 257 of upstanding water supply inlet tube 258 for bottom entry water supply 221. Over- flow tube 259 is also shown through bottom connected to overflow pipe 261; and the cistern 217 further has siphonic action unit 263 with raise-action actuator 264 freely hooked at 265 to end of flashing arm 266 rotated by the flushing handle in the usual way. The water supply tube head 257 further has customary adjustable staying provision 268, but is shown modified from normal by a further exit tube provision 269 which may be as a T-head (Figure 4A) or angled otherwise, see at right angles 269B in Figure 4B. The exit tube provision 269 may be as a spigot formation to which it is easy to connect end of a flexible pipe 271, say using a circlip 273. Similar circiip-to-spigot connection provision is shown at 275, 277 for other end of the flexible pipe 271 to tap 239 - and could be anywhere, but perhaps most usually and conveniently to same side as water supply to the water closet cistern. Such flexible tube water supply connection could greatly facilitate wash basin installation and de-installation directly atopa water closet cistern. Other water supply connection modifications are, of course, feasible, including to any position along in- cistern inlet tube 258, or to water pipe before it reaches the cistern 217. Waste from wash basin 231 is shown going at 241 directly into the water closet cistern 217, though a water trap could be included. It will be appreciated that any other practical connections can be used for the flexible pipe 271 , say as for garden hose pipes. Figure 4A actually shows spacing of the wash basin231 above the water closet cistern 217, and a shroud 281 extending between the top edge 283 of the water closet cistern 217 and outer lipped flange 285 of the wash basin 231. An inner lower flange 285 of the shroud 281 serves to locate on the tip 283 of the cistern 217, say with cushioning and/or sealing layer 287 interposed. The flange 285 can be useful in flexure-type snap-fitting of the shroud 281 after the manner of some bath side trim panels. It will, of course, be appreciated that the shroud will not have more than short returns at its rear, if any. The shroud would, of course facilitate "hard" plumbing of the water supply to the wash basin. The wash basin specifically adapted to fit low-level closet thereby displaces the standard usual lid the cistern. Embodiments of the invention as in Figures 2-4 have potential for saving mains water by at least partial re-use in the water closet cistern 217 of waste from the wash basin 231, say to extent that the cistern 217 has not re-filled by the time water comes from the wash basin 231. Indeed, positive provision is envisaged for stopping refilling of the cistern 217 until waste is available from the wash basin

231, say by a wash basin plug operating lever system extended to engage the ball valve arm 252 after water closet flushing and hold it closing the valve 256 until the wash basin plug is released, or by either- or options for water supply to the valve 256 and the tap 239 whether linked to operation of the water closet flush provision or the tap especially rotary control knob or to separate valve. It is to be appreciated that washbasin water supply provision could be by a tap physically separate from the wash basin, typically close above; but feasibly more remote, say with perhaps preferably flexible outlet pipe to the wash basin as such. A wash basin with fitting kit might usefully add on flexible pipes or hoses to supply wash basin water to or from its tap and for washbasin water outlet, as generally useful aid to installation.

Such fitting kits for water closets with high- level water cisterns would typically include suitable T-connectors. It is feasible to use generally similar fitting kits for water closets with low-level close coupled water cisterns including simple T-fitting connection (not shown) for wash basin water supply the water closet cistern whether with side connected hose pipe or bottom connected one. Indeed, a single intendedly universal fitting kit is also envisaged as useful with installer cutting flexible hose-type pipe to non critical lengths. For a bottom connected water hose pipe a T-fitting could with either be at 268 atop the upstanding water supply inlet tube 258 or immediately at the bottom entry point at the angled end 257 and linked to ball valve 256.

For a side entry water supply (not shown) of the low- level close-coupled water system, one side of the T-fitting is installed immediately on the in-cistern outlet (or end) of the water supply hose pipe while the other side of the T-fitting links with ball valve 256 and its long or middle end connects to the wash basin tap 239 above.

Two other possibilities are also envisaged. One is a modified water closet cistern unit that has an upper flared out formation instead of a separate or integrated wash basin as such. Over-flow provision would then have to be from such upper formation, and normal ball valve water level control might require further inter-fitting say by a suitably elongated ball valve(256 in fig 4A) for doubly use of and washing while simultaneously filling normal internal water cistern parts, or alternatively by another water tap using T Connectors or two-way valves (much as earlier above);or from operation of forcing means for depressing the ball or ball-arm for desired extra water entry, perhaps preferably serving also to limit upward ball/arm movement against over-pressuring the ball valve as such. A permeable separator screen might usefully at least partially hide the normal cistern parts, say affording ball/arm limitation and/or mount for said forcing means. The other possibility is a two-part water closet bowl of which an upper flared part is rearwardly hinged to a lower part so that the upper part can be swung up below the wash basin to afford more room for users' legs in using the wash facility, perhaps also be useful for use of the water closet by small people including children.

Claims

FACILITATING ABLUTIONS

CLAIMS 1. The invention for closer association of water closet washing facilities preferably comprising a wash-basin above a water closet bowl or otherwise jointly associated to the water closet and further preferably involving some degree of inter-fitting and/or sharing of water supply and/or outlet provisions.

2. A closely associated water closet and washing basin as claimed in claim (1) whereby common water supply pipe and related fittings afford branching to water closet and wash basin.

3. A closely associated water closet and washing basin as claimed in claim (1) or claim (2) whereby wash basin waste outlets is through closely associated water closet.

4. A wash basin neatly associated with low- level cristern of so-called close-coupled water closet say with wash basin outlet into the cistern thus indirectly but ultimately through the water closets bowl and waste outlet conveniently with wash basin compactly integrated as replacement for the cistern lid or above shroud provision between the wash basin and the cistern.

5. A closely associated water closet and wash basin as claimed in claims 1, 2 or 3 with the wash basin adapted to fit about flushing water pipe from high level water cistern of so called remote-coupled water closet, conveniently with wash basin waste emptying into the flushing waste pipe.

6. A closely associated water closet and wash basin as claimed in claim (1) or claim 4 and the wash basin having localised inset formation of front thus affording neck/head accommodation for seated user of the water closet.

7. A closely associated water closet and wash basin as claimed in claiml or c llaim 4 whereby a two-way valve or T. connection is installed to respectively direct incoming water supply to the wash basin tap and/or out to the water closet ball valve.

8. A closely associated water closet and wash basin that shares such inter-fittings as claimed in claim 1 for greater re-use of the waste water from the wash basin by means operative to alternate water to the wash basin tap or to the cistern valve.

9. A closely associated water closet and wash basin as claimed in claim 7 whereby the ball valve opening operations is temporarily hindered by a linkage selectively engaging and disengaging the customary ball valve arm to keep the water supply valve closed.

10 A closely associated water closet and wash basin inter-fitted unit as claimed in claim 8 whereby customary ball valve water supply operation is linked or controlled by extended linkages for & to remote operation of wash basin outlet closures or plugs.

11 A closely associated and inter-fitted water closet and wash basin as claimed in claim 7 or claim 10 whereby the two way valve works with a separate operating knob or lever.

12 A closely associated and inter-fitted water closet and wash basin as claimed in

Claims 7,10 or 11 whereby the two-way valve works with a suitable inter-linking with wash basin tap. A closely associated and inter-fitted water closet and wash basin as claimed in claims 7,10 or 11 whereby the two- way valve works with a suitably inter-linked water closet flush level. A closely associated water closet and wash facility as whereby the customary ball valve opening outlet or tap is elongated to enable with convenience, a hand-wash while simultaneously directly filling the low-level water cistern. A closely associated and compact water closet and wash facility substantially as described herein with reference to figures 1 A, IB, 1C and figures 2,3,4A & 4B of the accompanying drawings.