Wall built-in cistern with leakage protection

Abstract

The invention relates to a wall-mounted cistern (1) for a sanitary basin, in particular a toilet or urinal basin, comprising a cistern body (1.1) having an inspection opening (6) on its front and / or top side, a water inlet connection, a flush pipe (4) for conducting flush water from the cistern body (1.1) to the sanitary basin, and a leakage protection device (7) designed as a watertight casing (7') that at least partially surrounds the cistern body (1.1) and the flush pipe (4). In order to ensure that such a wall-mounted cistern has robust, particularly reliable, and easy-to-handle leakage protection, the invention provides that the casing (7') is formed from a dimensionally stable upper part (8) and a flexible, tubular or hose-shaped lower part (9), which are connected to one another in a watertight manner, wherein the dimensionally stable upper part (8) surrounds the cistern body (1.1).1) at least partially surrounds, while the flexible, tubular or hose-shaped lower part (9) at least partially surrounds the flushing pipe (4).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a wall-mounted cistern for a sanitary basin, in particular a toilet or urinal basin, comprising a cistern body having an inspection opening on its front and / or top side, a water inlet connection, a flush pipe for conducting flush water from the cistern body to the sanitary basin, and a leakage protection device designed as a water-impermeable casing that at least partially surrounds the cistern body and the flush pipe.

[0002] A generic wall-mounted cistern can also be referred to as a built-in cistern or concealed cistern.

[0003] Such built-in cisterns are available in various designs. They are primarily intended for sanitary areas constructed of wood or wood-based materials, especially in wooden houses. Since wood and wood-based materials are more sensitive to moisture and water leaks than, for example, stone and concrete, several countries where houses are frequently constructed of wood and wood-based materials have enacted strict regulations to prevent water damage. For example, with a toilet cistern, minor damage to the cistern may occur on the construction site or during installation and go undetected, resulting in a hidden water leak, especially in concealed cisterns.In Norway, for example, where wood and wood-based materials are widely used in house construction, it is mandatory that a watertight barrier be built behind a sanitary cistern to prevent leaks from penetrating the wall and damaging the building structure.

[0004] For such applications, a built-in cistern with moisture and leak protection is known from EP 3 138 968 B1. The moisture and leak protection is designed as a flexible, waterproof protective cover surrounding the built-in cistern and the connected flush pipe, with a hose-like extension on the underside of the protective cover having at least one opening at the end. A disadvantage of this design, however, is that the relatively thin protective cover, which is made of a plastic film, is relatively easily damaged during transport and installation, and such damage is not easily detected. The thin protective cover poses a risk of injury, for example if a mounting frame pre-assembled with the cistern and the thin protective cover accidentally falls over on the construction site.

[0005] Another built-in cistern with leak protection is known from DE 10 2022 111 121 A1. In this cistern, the leak protection is designed as a dimensionally stable and watertight shell that surrounds the cistern body and the flush pipe. The watertight shell has an opening whose width is smaller than the width of the cistern body and at least partially overlaps the inspection opening of the cistern body. Furthermore, the opening is provided with a dimensionally stable inspection shaft element, the circumferential wall of which is connected to the shell in a watertight manner. In one embodiment, the shell is composed of a rear shell part and a front shell part, with each of the shell parts defining a cavity section. The shell parts have facing connecting flanges, between which a circumferential seal is arranged to achieve a watertight connection.This well-known concealed cistern offers robust and effective leak protection. However, the dimensionally stable, waterproof bowl and its components are comparatively bulky. Sealing the joint defined by the connecting flanges of the bowl components is complex.

[0006] Based on this, the present invention is based on the object of providing a wall-mounted cistern which has improved leakage protection, in particular a robust, reliable and easy-to-use leakage protection.

[0007] This object is achieved by a built-in cistern having the features specified in claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

[0008] The concealed cistern according to the invention is provided with a leak protection device designed as a watertight casing that at least partially surrounds the cistern body and the flush pipe. The casing is formed from a dimensionally stable upper part and a flexible, tubular or hose-shaped lower part, which are connected to each other in a watertight manner. The dimensionally stable upper part at least partially surrounds the cistern body, while the flexible, tubular or hose-shaped lower part at least partially surrounds the flush pipe.

[0009] The flexible, tubular or hose-shaped lower section of the waterproof shell is a part or element of the shell manufactured separately from the rigid upper section. For storage and transport purposes, the lower section is preferably separated from the rigid upper section or can be stored and transported inside the upper section. The lower section is then watertightly connected to the rigid upper section on site.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the dimensionally stable upper part of the waterproof casing has an opening whose width is smaller than the width of the cistern body and at least partially overlaps the inspection opening of the cistern body. This opening of the dimensionally stable upper part is preferably provided with a dimensionally stable inspection shaft element, the surrounding wall of which is waterproof and is waterproofly connected to the upper part of the waterproof casing.

[0011] "Dimensively stable" within the meaning of the present invention, particularly with regard to the upper part at least partially surrounding the cistern body and the optional inspection shaft element, means that the upper part and the inspection shaft element are not flexible, but rather rigid or essentially rigid, e.g., rigid. The dimensionally stable upper part and the dimensionally stable inspection shaft element are preferably made of plastic, particularly preferably of hard plastic.

[0012] If the inspection opening of the box body is formed on its front side, the opening of the dimensionally stable upper part of the water-impermeable shell assigned to the inspection opening is formed on the front side of the upper part.

[0013] According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the dimensionally stable upper part of the water-impermeable casing has an opening, or a second or further opening, which is assigned to the water inlet connection of the cistern. This opening in the upper part has a width that is, for example, in the range of 2 cm to 8 cm. Said opening is preferably located close to the water inlet connection and is substantially aligned with its central axis. A filling valve is or can be connected to the water inlet connection. Preferably, said opening of the dimensionally stable upper part is provided with a seal that seals the opening watertight with respect to the water inlet connection or a water pipe connected thereto.The said opening can be located on a narrow side of the upper part, preferably, with respect to the mounted position of use of the cistern, in a height range of a narrow side of the upper part in which the upper half or the upper third of the opening is located, which is formed in the front of the upper part and is assigned to the inspection opening of the cistern body.

[0014] The dimensionally stable, watertight upper section and the optional dimensionally stable inspection shaft element, whose surrounding wall is watertight and is connected to the upper section in a watertight manner, offer robust and reliable leak protection compared to the flexible protective film made of plastic film according to EP 3 138 968 B1, which can be easily damaged by sharp tools or screws. Furthermore, due to its structure consisting of the dimensionally stable upper section and the flexible lower section that can be connected to it in a watertight manner, the leak protection according to the invention is easier to handle, and in particular easier to install, than the leak protection known from DE 10 2022 111 121 A1, which is rigid as a single piece or whose shells are essentially rigid. This applies in particular to both transport and installation of the leak protection.

[0015] A particular advantage of the inventive concealed cistern with leak protection is that the dimensionally stable upper section of the waterproof casing can be designed without a vertical sealing joint. The dimensionally stable upper section therefore requires no additional seal. The flexible lower section of the waterproof casing can be connected to the upper section in a simple and reliable manner to ensure a watertight seal. This watertight connection between the upper and lower sections also requires no additional seal, as will be explained in more detail below, particularly with reference to the attached drawing.

[0016] An advantageous embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the cover is provided with a lid that can be positively connected to the top of the dimensionally stable upper part to provide a splash-proof seal. This allows for easy insertion of the cistern body into the dimensionally stable upper part of the waterproof cover, and subsequently achieves a splash-proof seal of the dimensionally stable upper part.

[0017] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the dimensionally stable upper part is designed as a one-piece section of the casing. This embodiment aims to design the dimensionally stable upper part without a vertical sealing joint. Accordingly, this embodiment does not require an additional seal, such as might be used in a vertical connecting joint to achieve watertightness. The dimensionally stable upper part of the watertight casing according to the invention is preferably designed seamlessly.

[0018] The flexible lower part is also preferably designed as a one-piece section of the sleeve. The flexible lower part can also be designed seamlessly. However, it is also within the scope of the present invention to produce the flexible, tubular lower part from a single robust film web or at least two robust film webs, each having a film thickness in the range of 0.4 mm to 2.5 mm, preferably in the range of 0.5 mm to 2.2 mm, for example, by welding or gluing the longitudinal edges of the longitudinally folded film web or of the film webs placed on top of one another. In this variant, the flexible, tubular lower part has one or at least two elongated welded or glued seams.

[0019] A further advantageous embodiment of the invention provides for the flexible lower part to be made of transparent, flexible plastic, for example, a robust transparent plastic film. This allows any leaks in the cistern body or at the connection between the cistern body and the flush pipe to be detected, possibly even before the concealed cistern is paneled.

[0020] The dimensionally stable upper part can be manufactured, for example, by blow molding a thermoplastic blank, which initially takes the shape of a tube or bag. The flexible lower part of the waterproof cover can also be manufactured in a similar way.

[0021] A further advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the dimensionally stable upper part is shaft- or box-shaped and has a base with a through-opening for the passage of the flush pipe or a flush pipe connection piece. This design leads to particularly simple and reliable mounting of the cistern body inserted into the upper part. The through-opening of the dimensionally stable upper part is preferably provided with a pipe connection piece or annular connection collar protruding downwards from the base of the upper part. The pipe connection piece or connection collar provided on the base of the upper part enables a quick and reliable watertight connection of the flexible, tubular or hose-shaped lower part to the dimensionally stable upper part.According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, this can be achieved, for example, by firmly and watertightly connecting the flexible, tubular or hose-shaped lower part to the dimensionally stable upper part by means of a pipe clamp or a tensioning band.

[0022] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the flexible, tubular or hose-shaped lower part has a substantially horizontally extending hose section or pipe socket at its lower end, which has a flange-shaped collar at its outer end. The pipe socket and / or the flange-shaped collar are preferably made of flexible plastic. This embodiment enables a tight, flush connection of the flexible lower part of the water-impermeable casing to a wall covering of a wall in which the concealed cistern according to the invention is accommodated.

[0023] A further advantageous embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the flexible, tubular or hose-shaped lower part has a cylindrical collar at its upper end, which can be connected to the dimensionally stable upper part in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner. This design enables a particularly quick, watertight connection of the flexible lower part to the dimensionally stable upper part.

[0024] The pipe socket or ring-shaped connection collar protruding downwards from the bottom of the upper part and the cylindrical collar provided at the upper end of the flexible, tubular or hose-shaped lower part define the associated connection partners of a plug-in connection.

[0025] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the flexible, tubular or hose-shaped lower part, when assembled, has a horizontal inner width that is less than three times, preferably less than 2.5 times, the outer diameter of the flush pipe. This design ensures easy deformability of the flexible, tubular or hose-shaped lower part while also allowing for easy positioning of a bracket for connecting the lower part.

[0026] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing illustrating exemplary embodiments. In the drawings: Fig. 1 shows a mounting frame with a wall-mounted cistern according to the invention having a leakage protection, in a perspective front view; Fig. 2 shows the mounting frame from Fig. 1with the wall-mounted cistern with leakage protection, in a perspective rear view; and Fig. 3 the wall-mounted cistern with leakage protection from Fig. 1 in a perspective exploded view.

[0027] Fig. 1shows a wall-mounted cistern 1 for a toilet bowl. The cistern 1 is attached to a mounting frame 2. The mounting frame 2 has (as known per se) vertical profile bars 2.1, 2.2, preferably square tubes, which are connected to one another by cross members 2.3, 2.4, 2.5. The upper cross member 2.3 preferably defines the upper side of the mounting frame 2. A lower cross member 2.4 is arranged near the lower ends of the profile bars 2.1, 2.2. Another cross member 2.5 is provided with mounting holes 3 for attaching threaded rods (not shown), which in turn serve to attach or suspend a toilet bowl. For this purpose, threaded sleeves can be inserted into the mounting holes 3 in a form-fitting and force-fitting manner. The cross member 2.5 is significantly taller than the other cross members. Between the mounting holes 3, a spacer is provided in the cross member 2.5, a recess is formed, for example, a through-hole, through which the end of a flush pipe 4 or an extension pipe section (not shown) connected to the flush pipe 4 is guided forward. In addition, the mounting frame 2 has foot pieces 5.1, 5.2, which are connected to the lower ends of the profile bars 2.1, 2.2 in a height-adjustable or telescopic manner.

[0028] The concealed cistern 1 has a cistern body 1.1 for holding water. A drain valve (not shown) is arranged in the cistern body 1.1, which can be operated manually or automatically using a suitable actuating device. For example, the actuating device can be designed in the form of a so-called actuating plate (not shown) having at least one movably mounted operating button (push button) by means of which a valve body (not shown) designed as an overflow pipe can be raised from a closed position via a lifting mechanism. The valve body is provided at its lower end with a seal that rests on a valve seat of the drain valve in the closed position. If the valve body is raised from the closed position into a flushing position by means of the lifting mechanism, water flows as flush water from the cistern body 1.1 through the flush pipe 4 connected to the cistern body to the toilet bowl (see. Fig. 3 ).

[0029] Furthermore, the box body 1.1 has a water inlet connection (not shown), to which a float-controlled fill valve (not shown) located in the box body 1.1 is connected. The fill valve and the drain valve are accessible for maintenance purposes via an inspection opening 6. The inspection opening 6 is located in the upper area of the box body 1.1.

[0030] In the Fig. 1 to 3In the illustrated embodiments, the inspection opening 6 is arranged on the front side of the box body 1.1. However, it is also possible to form the inspection opening on the top side of such a box body. In the latter case, the upper cross member 2.3 of the mounting frame 2 is omitted if necessary or is designed differently, for example as a substantially flat web, wherein the flat side of the web can be flush with the front side of the profile bars 2.1, 2.2. Arranging the inspection opening on the top side of the box body 1.1 is sometimes advantageous, for example, if the built-in cistern 1 is to be installed in a false wall below a building window.

[0031] The concealed cistern 1 is provided with a leak protection device 7, which is designed as a watertight casing 7'. The casing 7' at least partially, preferably substantially completely, surrounds the cistern body 1.1 and the flush pipe 4 mounted on the underside thereof. The casing 7' is composed of a dimensionally stable upper part 8 and a flexible lower part 9. Furthermore, the casing 7' is preferably provided with a cover 10, which can be positively connected to the upper part 8 to provide a splash-proof seal.

[0032] The dimensionally stable upper part 8 of the casing 7' is shaft- or box-shaped and has a base 8.1 with a through-opening for the passage of the flush pipe 4 or a flush pipe socket 11. The underside through-opening of the upper part 8 is provided with a pipe socket or annular connection collar 8.2 protruding downward from the base 8.1 of the upper part 8. The pipe socket or annular connection collar 8.2 is preferably formed integrally on the upper part 8. The box body 1.1 of the built-in cistern 1 is inserted into the dimensionally stable upper part 8 of the leak protection device 7. The upper part 8 is then sealed splash-proof with the optional cover 10. For this purpose, the cover 10 or the shaft- or box-shaped upper part 8 can be provided with a circumferential seal at its upper opening 8.3. In addition, the cover 10 can be detachably connected to the upper part 8, for example by means of clamping elements and / or locking elements.

[0033] The dimensionally stable upper part 8 is preferably designed as a one-piece section of the shell 7'. The upper part 8 is rigid or substantially rigid. It is preferably made of hard plastic, particularly preferably of thermoplastic hard plastic, for example, by blow molding or injection molding. The average wall thickness of the upper part 8 is, for example, in the range of approximately 1 to 4 mm, preferably in the range of approximately 2 to 3 mm.

[0034] The dimensionally stable upper part 8 has or is provided with an opening which is assigned to the inspection opening 6 formed on the front side of the box body 1.1 of the built-in cistern 1. In the Figures 1 and 3 In the embodiments shown, the front opening of the upper part 8 is still closed by an end wall 12.1 of an inspection shaft element 12 which is to be removed.

[0035] The opening has an opening width B1 that is significantly smaller than the width of the box body 1.1. In the inserted, fully assembled state of the box body 1.1, the opening is at least partially overlapped with the inspection opening 6 of the box body 1.1. The opening of the upper part 8 is provided with a dimensionally stable inspection shaft element 12, the circumferential wall of which is connected to the upper part 8 in a watertight manner. The inspection shaft element 12 is preferably molded onto the upper part 8 of the leak protection device 7.

[0036] The dimensionally stable, box-shaped upper part 8 has, as viewed from the outside, a plurality of stiffening sections in its front wall 8.4 and rear wall 8.5, which are designed, for example, as parallel beads 13, 14 and / or as a rectangular recess 15. Longer and shorter beads 13, 14 are formed in the front wall, for example, with a rectangular recess 15 arranged between the beads 13, 14. For example, only longer, parallel beads 14 can be formed in the rear wall 8.5. In the fully assembled, intended state of the built-in cistern 1, the beads 13, 14 run essentially horizontally and vertically, respectively. Furthermore, recesses 16 are formed at the transition between the front wall 8.4 and the rear wall 8.5 and the base 8.1 of the upper part 8, which, as viewed from below, extend upwards into the base 8.1.These recesses 16 are designed such that they end at a distance from the inside of the respective opposite rear wall 8.5 or front wall 8.4 of the box-shaped upper part 8.

[0037] The flexible lower part 9 of the waterproof cover 7' of the leak protection device 7 is tubular or hose-shaped. It serves as a waterproof covering for the flush pipe 4 connected to the underside of the cistern body 1.1. The lower end of the flush pipe 4 is curved. The flush pipe 4 can therefore also be referred to as a flush pipe bend.

[0038] The dimensionally stable upper part 8 and the flexible, tubular or hose-shaped lower part 9 are connected to each other in a watertight manner. For this purpose, the lower part 9 preferably has a cylindrical collar 9.1 at its upper end, which can be connected to the upper part 8 in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner. The lower part 9 or its collar 9.1 is firmly and watertightly connected to the pipe socket or connecting collar 8.2 of the upper part 8 by means of a tensioning strap or a pipe clamp 17.

[0039] At its lower end, the flexible lower part 9 has a substantially horizontally extending hose section or pipe socket 9.2, which has a flange-shaped collar 9.3 at its outer end. The pipe socket 9.2 and / or the flange-shaped collar 9.3 are preferably made of flexible plastic. The flange-shaped collar 9.3 serves to provide a watertight connection of the lower part 9 of the leak protection device 7 to a paneling or wall covering mounted on the mounting frame 2, which paneling or wall covering has a through-opening for the passage of the lower end of the flush pipe 4 or a flush pipe extension piece connected thereto.

[0040] The section of the flexible, tubular or hose-shaped lower part 9 which runs vertically in the assembled state preferably has a horizontal inner width which is less than 3 times, preferably less than 2.5 times, the outer diameter of the flushing pipe 4.

[0041] The flexible, tubular lower part 9 is made, for example, from a single robust film web or at least two robust film webs, each with a film thickness in the range of 0.4 mm to 2.5 mm, wherein the longitudinal edges of the individual, longitudinally folded film webs or the longitudinal edges of the superimposed film webs are welded or glued together. The flexible, tubular lower part thus has one or at least two elongated welded or glued seams.

[0042] Furthermore, the Figures 1 to 3that the flush pipe 4 with the lower part 9 enclosing it is connected at a mid-height level by means of a bracket 18 to the cross member 2.5 of the mounting frame 2. The bracket 18 is designed, for example, in the form of a pipe clamp having clamp parts or clamp halves connected by means of two screws. The clamp parts or clamp halves have spaced-apart part or half ends, wherein the flexible, tubular or hose-shaped lower part 9 does not bear tightly against the flush pipe 4 in the areas 9.4 of the screws or in the areas 9.4 between the mutually facing part or half ends, but rather defines water-permeable passages (gaps) with the outer surface of the flush pipe 4, through which any leakage water can flow from the cistern body 1.1 downwards to the pipe socket 9.2 or to the flange-shaped collar 9.3.

[0043] The elongated welded or glued seams of the flexible, tubular or hose-shaped lower part 9 run vertically and preferably over the areas 9.4 between the mutually facing part or half ends of the holder 18.

[0044] The bracket (pipe clamp) 18 is provided with a radially forward-projecting threaded sleeve 18.1. The cross member 2.5 of the mounting frame 2 is provided with a fastening tab 2.51 associated with the bracket or threaded sleeve. The fastening tab 2.51 has a mounting hole for receiving a screw that can be screwed into the threaded sleeve 18.1.

[0045] To attach the leak protection device 7 to the mounting frame 2, the dimensionally stable upper part 8 of the waterproof cover is provided with fastening elements 19. The fastening elements 19 are designed, for example, in the form of mounting brackets or tabs that protrude from the narrow sides of the box-shaped upper part 8. They are preferably attached to the upper, front area of the narrow sides of the upper part 8, for example, screwed, glued, or welded in a watertight manner. According to an alternative variant, the fastening elements 19 can be molded as a single piece onto the dimensionally stable, blow-molded upper part 8.

[0046] In Fig. 3It can be seen that the cover 10 has an embossed rectangular recess 10.1 and a smaller round recess 10.2. These recesses define cutout points for easily and precisely cutting through openings in the cover 10, if necessary, for a water supply line leading upwards from the box-shaped upper part 8 and for an actuating mechanism of an actuating device arranged on the top, coupled to the drain valve.

[0047] The implementation of the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawings. Rather, numerous variants are conceivable, which are encompassed by the subject matter of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A wall-mounted cistern (1) for a sanitary basin, in particular a WC or urinal basin, comprising a cistern body (1.1) having an inspection opening (6) on its front and / or top side, a water inlet connection, a flush pipe (4) for conducting flush water from the cistern body (1.1) to the sanitary basin, and a leakage protection device (7) designed as a water-impermeable casing (7') that at least partially surrounds the cistern body (1.1) and the flush pipe (4), characterized in that the casing (7') is formed from a dimensionally stable upper part (8) and a flexible, tubular or hose-shaped lower part (9) which are connected to one another in a watertight manner, wherein the dimensionally stable upper part (8) at least partially surrounds the box body (1.1), while the flexible, tubular or hose-shaped lower part (9) at least partially surrounds the flushing pipe (4).

2. Wall-mounted cistern according to claim 1, characterized in thatthe cover (7') is provided with a lid (10) which can be positively connected to the upper side of the dimensionally stable upper part (8) to ensure a splash-proof closure thereof.

3. Wall-mounted cistern according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the dimensionally stable upper part (8) is designed as a one-piece section of the shell (7').

4. Wall-mounted cistern according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the dimensionally stable upper part (8) is made of plastic, preferably hard plastic.

5. Wall-mounted cistern according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the dimensionally stable upper part (8) is shaft- or box-shaped and has a bottom (8.1) with a through-opening for the passage of the flushing pipe (4) or a flushing pipe socket (11).

6. Wall-mounted cistern according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in thatthe flexible, tubular or hose-shaped lower part (9) is firmly and watertightly connected to the dimensionally stable upper part (8) by means of a pipe clamp (17) or a tensioning band.

7. Wall-mounted cistern according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the flexible, tubular or hose-shaped lower part (9) has at its lower end a substantially horizontally extending hose section or pipe socket (9.2), which has at its outer end a flange-shaped collar (9.3), wherein the pipe socket (9.2) and / or the flange-shaped collar (9.3) are preferably made of flexible plastic.

8. Wall-mounted cistern according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the flexible, tubular or hose-shaped lower part (9) has a cylindrical collar (9.1) at its upper end, which can be connected to the dimensionally stable upper part (8) in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner.

9. Wall-mounted cistern according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the flexible, tubular lower part (9) in the assembled state has a horizontal inner width which is less than 3 times, preferably less than 2.5 times, the outer diameter of the flushing pipe (4).

10. Wall-mounted cistern according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the flexible, tubular lower part (9) is made from a single film web or at least two film webs, each having a film thickness in the range of 0.4 mm to 2.5 mm, wherein longitudinal edges of the individual, longitudinally folded film webs or longitudinal edges of the film webs placed on top of one another are welded or glued together.

Images