Built-in wall-hung toilet flushing device

Abstract

The invention relates to a wall-hung toilet flushing device comprising: a water tank (16) and a frame (10) for holding the water tank suspended behind a partition (18); a flushing conduit (22) designed to extend between the water tank (16) and a toilet bowl (20) located in front of the partition; a control assembly for being able to control the draining of water from the tank (16) so that it flows inside the flushing conduit (22). The device further comprises a receptacle (14) opening into the flushing conduit (22), while the water tank (16) is tiltably mounted within the receptacle; and the control assembly comprises a shaft (60) rigidly connected to the tank (16) and extending through the partition (18) to be rotatable and thus control the tilting of the tank (16) within the receptacle (14).

Description

DESCRIPTION Title of the invention: Built-in suspended flushing device

[0001] The present invention relates to a built-in suspended flushing device.

[0002] Known built-in wall-hung flushing devices comprise a metal frame installed at the rear of a partition and a water tank suspended from the frame. At the front of the partition, a toilet bowl is installed protruding and is connected to the water tank by means of a flush pipe which passes through the partition in line with the toilet bowl.

[0003] The water tank is supplied behind the partition by a water inlet opening directly above the tank, and which water inlet is controlled by means of a valve actuated by a float adapted to extend inside the tank.

[0004] Also, wall-hung flushing devices usually include a dual-flush control assembly to be able to deliver two different amounts of water into the bowl.

[0005] The control assembly is mounted through the partition extending between the toilet bowl and the cistern. Typically, an inspection hatch covers an opening in the partition opposite the cistern. The inspection hatch also supports two adjacent push buttons, which control a two-stage tubular device extending into the cistern. One of the two push buttons raises a valve seat located in the bottom of the cistern so that the entire quantity of water from the cistern can be delivered through the flush pipe. The other push button raises another valve seat installed at a height on a tubular element so that a portion of the water from the cistern can be delivered.

[0006] Such flushing devices are installed at the rear of the partition while it is being constructed, so that it can be easily accessed. After the frame has been sealed at the rear of the partition and the water tank has been suspended from the frame, while the flush pipe is connected to the said water tank and to the bowl through the partition, the construction of the latter is continued, for example up to the ceiling wall. The water tank is then trapped behind the partition and can only be accessed through the opening, blocked by the inspection hatch.

[0007] Such a flushing device is of great aesthetic interest. However, its maintenance is more delicate. Indeed, when the water is particularly hard, the valve seats tend to become scaled, causing leaks. Descaling is then difficult through the opening left by the inspection hatch. Replacing the seals is also complex.

[0008] In some circumstances, troubleshooting the device requires opening the partition.

[0009] Also, a problem that arises and that the present invention aims to solve is to provide a built-in suspended flushing device that is more reliable and less sensitive to scaling.

[0010] For this purpose, a built-in suspended toilet flushing device is provided comprising: a water tank and a frame for holding said water tank suspended behind a partition; a flushing pipe adapted to extend through said partition between said water tank and a toilet bowl located in front of said partition; a control assembly adapted to be mounted through said partition to be able to control the emptying of all or part of the water from said tank so that it flows inside said flushing pipe.The flushing device further comprises a receptacle opening into said flushing conduit, while said water tank is mounted tilting inside said receptacle; and said control assembly comprises a shaft secured to said tank and extending through said partition so as to be able to be driven in rotation so as to control the tilting of said tank inside said receptacle.

[0011] Thus, a feature of the invention lies in the implementation of a tilting water tank requiring no seal. Indeed, the water tank is open, and when it is tilted, water escapes abundantly through its opening. The water then pours into the receptacle and then escapes through the flush pipe to reach the bowl.

[0012] In addition, the tilting of the tank is controlled by the single shaft passing through the partition, by the desired angular amplitude, so as to deliver the desired quantity of water into the flush pipe. Thus, compared to the devices dual flush toilet according to the prior art, thanks to the object of the invention, less water can be delivered if the circumstances are suitable.

[0013] Preferably, said tank is semi-cylindrical, and it is mounted tilting substantially around its axis of revolution. Thus, the tank has the shape of a cylinder with a circular directrix curve and which would be cut along a substantially axial plane. Also, it has two parallel edges along the generators of the cylinder. And it is therefore installed so as to be able to be driven in rotation along an axis parallel and close to its axis of revolution. Also, the tank is installed so that its axis of revolution extends substantially perpendicular to the partition.

[0014] Surprisingly, the semi-cylindrical tank, after being filled with water, can be rotated effortlessly to release the water flowing over one of the two parallel edges mentioned above. Moreover, it is easy to rotate the tank by a given amplitude to release only a part of the water it contains.

[0015] Also, to facilitate the rotational drive of the semi-cylindrical tank, said shaft extends from said tank along said axis of revolution. In this way, the shaft for driving the tank extends through the partition so that it can be rotated from the front face of the partition.

[0016] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the flushing device comprises a frame having an orifice adapted to be installed through an opening made in said partition at right angles to said receptacle, while said shaft passes through said orifice. The frame is thus sealed in the partition through the opening allowing access to the tank. And the shaft passes through the orifice of the frame.

[0017] Preferably, said frame comprises a bearing mounted through said orifice, while said shaft is adapted to be extended through said bearing. Thanks to the bearing, the shaft is driven without friction through the frame. Indeed, the relative movements of the tank and the partition, even tiny ones, can cause stresses. Thanks to the bearing, these stresses are very largely compensated.

[0018] Furthermore, said control assembly comprises a circular member mounted in engagement on said shaft, said circular member having an arcuate lumen defining two opposite ends, while said frame comprises a lug adapted to extend inside said lumen to be able to limit the angular movement of said reservoir between said two ends forming stops for said lug.

[0019] Advantageously, said arc-shaped light of said circular member extends substantially over an angular sector close to 120°. Such an angle allows a sufficient amplitude of movement to, on the one hand, fill the reservoir when it is in its equilibrium position and, at the extreme, empty it completely into the receptacle.

[0020] Furthermore, and according to a particularly advantageous embodiment, said circular member has another arc-shaped light symmetrical to said one arc-shaped light, while said frame comprises another lug diametrically opposite said one lug and adapted to extend inside said other arc-shaped light. In this way, better rotational locking of the tank is obtained in the two opposite extreme positions, one in which it is in the equilibrium position and where it fills with water, the other in which it empties.

[0021] In addition, the flushing device further comprises a fitting having a circular opening and adapted to be mounted on the surface against said frame, while said shaft extends projecting from said circular opening. The circular opening has a diameter greater than that of the shaft, for example greater than one and a half times the diameter of the shaft, so as to avoid any friction with it.

[0022] In addition, the flushing device comprises a handle adapted to engage with said shaft in order to be able to rotate it. The handle thus masks the circular light. It essentially allows the shaft and therefore the tank to be rotated inside the receptacle.

[0023] Other features and advantages of the invention will emerge from reading the description given below of a particular embodiment of the invention, given for informational purposes but not as a limitation, with reference to the appended drawings in which: [Fig. 1] is a schematic front view of a flushing device according to the invention; [Fig. 2] is a schematic sectional view of the object of [Fig. 1] along the plane ll-ll; [Fig. 3] is a partial exploded schematic view of the subject matter of the invention illustrated in [Fig. 2]; and, [Fig. 4] is a schematic sectional detail view of the object of [Fig. 1] opposite that of [Fig. 2],

[0024] [Fig. 1] shows a frame 10 erected on a floor wall 12. The frame 10 supports, at a height relative to the floor wall 12, a receptacle 14 inside which a tank 16 is installed. The receptacle 14 is for example installed at a height greater than one meter from the floor wall 12.

[0025] The frame 10, the receptacle 14 and the tank 16 are located at the rear of a partition 18 which is illustrated in [Fig. 2]. Also, a toilet bowl 20 is installed at the front of the partition 18 and it is connected to the receptacle 14 by a flushing pipe 22. The flushing pipe 22 passes through the partition 18 in line with the toilet bowl 20.

[0026] Furthermore, an evacuation duct 24, connected to the bowl 20, also passes through the partition 18 below the flush duct 22, and is connected, for example, to the wastewater sanitation network.

[0027] In [Fig. 2] it will be observed that the receptacle 14 has a front wall 21 opposite a rear wall 23, and a bottom wall 25 opening into the flushing duct 22.

[0028] As for the reservoir 16, housed inside the receptacle 14, it has a bottom 26 extending opposite the bottom wall 25 of the receptacle and opposite, a free opening 28. Also, it has two walls opposite each other, a front wall 30 opposite the front wall 21 of the receptacle 14 and a rear wall 32 opposite the rear wall 23.

[0029] The posterior wall 32 has a posterior journal 34 extending projecting away from the anterior wall 30 and in the vicinity of the opening 28, while the anterior wall 30 has an anterior journal 36 extending coaxially with the posterior journal 34 and projecting away from the posterior wall 32.

[0030] The rear journal 34 is then mounted for rotation in a rear bearing 38 secured to a rear support surface 40 formed in the rear wall 23 of the receptacle 14, while the front journal 36 is mounted for rotation in a front bearing 42 secured to a front support surface 44 formed in the front wall 21.

[0031] Additionally, and as will be explained in more detail below, the reservoir 16 is rotatably connected to a handle 46 extending in front of the partition 18.

[0032] We will refer again to [Fig. 1], in which we find the reservoir 16 in its equilibrium position. The reservoir 16 is substantially semi-cylindrical and has a radius R and two parallel edges 47, 49 substantially diametrically opposed.

[0033] Also, the rear 34 and front 36 journals are located substantially above the center of the reservoir 16 so that at equilibrium, the bottom 26 remains in a lowest position, while the opening 28 is in a high position.

[0034] In this equilibrium position, the tank 16 is adapted to be filled with water by means of a pressurized water inlet 48 which is extended by a spout 50 extending in line with the opening 28 of the tank 16. At the base of the spout 50, a valve 52 is controlled by a pivoting rod 54 equipped at the end with a float 56 extending inside the tank 16.

[0035] Thus, when the tank 16 is empty, the rod, under the effect of its weight and that of the float, is tilted towards the bottom 26 of the tank 16 and it causes the valve 52 to pivot, which allows the flow of water through the spout 50. On the other hand, while the water rises inside the tank 16, the float then causes the rod 54 to pivot in the opposite direction and causes the valve 52 to pivot into a position for closing off the water supply to the spout 52. The flow of water is thus cut off when the tank 16 is full.

[0036] By means of the handle 46 found in this [Fig. 1], the tank 16 is rotated clockwise by a desired amplitude, indicated for example by a scale. The water from the tank 16 then flows over one of the parallel edges 49 and spreads inside the receptacle 14, then flows through the flushing pipe 22 and reaches the bowl 20.

[0037] As soon as the handle 46 is released, the reservoir 16 tilts counterclockwise to return to its equilibrium position. In the absence of water, the rod 54 is tilted and causes the spout 50 to be released by the valve 52 so that the reservoir 16 can refill.

[0038] We will now detail, with regard to [Fig. 3] and [Fig. 4], the structural and functional elements of the pivoting of the tank 16.

[0039] [Fig. 3] shows partially in exploded perspective and from the side, the chassis 10 and the receptacle 14 suspended from the chassis 10. The chassis 10 is thus installed against the partition 18 to which it is fixed at the rear.

[0040] Also, an opening 58 is provided in the partition 18 in line with the receptacle 14, and a shaft 60 extends from the front wall 21 of the receptacle. As will be explained in more detail below, the shaft 60 is engaged with the reservoir 16.

[0041] The shaft 60 thus projects through the opening 58 and has two diametrically opposed flats.

[0042] The shaft 60 then receives a bearing 62 having two concentric rings and a set of balls engaged between the two rings.

[0043] Furthermore, the opening 58 receives a frame 64, which has two lateral uprights 66, 68, and an upper crosspiece 70 opposite a lower crosspiece 72.

[0044] The frame 64 also has an intermediate upright 74 equidistant from the lateral uprights 66, 68 and an intermediate crosspiece 76 in the vicinity of the lower crosspiece 72. Also, at the intersection of the intermediate upright 74 and the intermediate crosspiece 76, the frame has an orifice 78 defining a shoulder and through which the bearing 62 is adapted to be engaged. The bearing 62 is then in axial abutment against the shoulder.

[0045] The side uprights 66, 68, the upper 70 and lower 72 crosspieces are sealed in the edges of the opening 58, after the bearing 62 has been engaged through the orifice 78 while the shaft 60 is itself engaged through the bearing 62 and comes to extend through the frame 64 projecting from the orifice 78.

[0046] Also, it will be observed that the intermediate upright 74 has an upper lug 80 diametrically opposite a lower lug 82 relative to the orifice 78.

[0047] Furthermore, and in front of the frame 64, a circular member 84 having an oblong orifice 86 and two diametrically opposed arcuate slots 88, 90 is adapted to be fitted against the frame 64 so that the shaft 60 engages in the oblong orifice 86, while the two opposed lugs 80, 82 are respectively engaged in the two arcuate slots 88, 90.

[0048] The two arc-shaped slots 88, 90 are opposite each other with respect to the oblong orifice 86 and they describe an arc with a radius less than 120° for example. The two opposite ends of the two slots 88, 90 thus constitute stops against which the two opposite lugs 80, 82 can respectively bear.

[0049] In other words, the amplitude of rotation of the shaft 60 is thus limited to an amplitude of less than 120°.

[0050] The shaft 60 extends in projection from the circular member 84 through the oblong orifice 86. And a trim plate 92 in which a circular light 94 is made is adapted to be mounted by snap-fastening on the frame so as to close the opening 58 while the free end of the shaft 60 projects and is adapted to then receive the handle 46.

[0051] We thus find in [Fig. 4] seen in axial section, the reservoir 16 with its front wall 30 and opposite its rear wall 32.

[0052] We also find the rear journal 34 rotatably mounted in the rear bearing 38 and the rear support surface 40 of the rear wall 23 which accommodates it. On the other hand, we find the front support surface 44 formed in the front wall 21 and the front bearing 42 engaged in the support surface 44.

[0053] The front journal 36 extends inside the front bearing 42 engaged in a tubular member 96 inside which it engages. In other words, the front journal 36 is linked in rotation with the tubular member 96.

[0054] The tubular member 96 projects from the receptacle 14 and itself engages inside the shaft 60 found here.

[0055] We then find the bearing 62 secured to the frame 64 and on the opposite face of the latter, the circular member 84 receiving respectively the two lugs 80, 82 through the two arc-shaped slots 88, 90. The shaft 60 passes through the bearing 62 and engages in the circular member 84 then, in the handle 46.

[0056] Also, the handle 46 has not only a passage orifice 98 of oblong section in which the shaft 60 engages but also, at the bottom of the handle 46, a tenon 100 of asymmetrical section which itself engages inside the shaft 60.

[0057] In this way, the shaft 60 is engaged with the handle both from the inside and from the outside, which makes it possible to obtain greater rigidity of the connection between the handle 46 and the shaft 60.

[0058] Thus, thanks to the rear 38 and front 42 bearings, the rotational drive of the receptacle 16, by means of the handle 46 is greatly facilitated in particular when it is filled with water, for example with a quantity of water of between six and eight liters. Also, thanks to the bearing 62, which is integral with the partition 38 by through the frame 64, the rotational movement of the shaft 60 is in no way hindered, if a significant relative movement is observed between the receptacle 14 and the partition 18.

[0059] Furthermore, when the reservoir 16 is in equilibrium, and is full or in the filling phase, the two lugs 80, 82 are in abutment respectively in the two opposite ends of the two arc-shaped slots 88, 90.

[0060] When the handle 46 is driven clockwise, by an angle close to 120°, then the two other opposite ends of the two arc-shaped slots 88, 90 come into abutment in turn and opposite against the two lugs 80, 82. This position makes it possible to drain all of the water contained inside the tank 16.

[0061] Thanks to the invention, the handle 46 can be rotated through any angle between 0 and 120° so as to be able to deliver the desired quantity of water inside the receptacle 14.

Claims

CLAIMS

1. Built-in suspended flushing device comprising: - a water tank (16) and a frame (10) for holding said water tank suspended behind a partition (18); - a flushing duct (22) adapted to extend through said partition (18) between said water tank (16) and a toilet bowl (20) located in front of said partition; - a control assembly adapted to be mounted through said partition to be able to control the emptying of all or part of the water from said tank (16) so that it flows inside said flushing pipe (22); characterized in that it further comprises a receptacle (14) opening into said flushing pipe (22), while said water tank (16) is mounted tilting inside said receptacle; and in that said control assembly comprises a shaft (60) integral with said tank (16) and extending through said partition (18) to be able to be driven in rotation so as to control the tilting of said tank (16) inside said receptacle (14).

2. Suspended flushing device according to claim 1, characterized in that said tank (16) is semi-cylindrical, and in that it is mounted tilting substantially around its axis of revolution.

3. A suspended flushing device according to claim 2, characterized in that said shaft (60) extends from said tank along said axis of revolution.

4. A suspended flushing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises a frame (64) having an orifice (78) adapted to be installed through an opening (58) made in said partition (18) in line with said receptacle (14), while said shaft (60) passes through said orifice (78).

5. A wall-hung flushing device according to claim 4, characterized in that said frame (64) comprises a bearing (62) mounted through said orifice (78), while said shaft (60) is adapted to be extended through said bearing (62).

6. A suspended flushing device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that said control assembly comprises a circular member (84) mounted in engagement on said shaft (60), said circular member having an arcuate aperture (88) defining two opposite ends, while said frame (64) comprises a lug (80) adapted to extend inside said aperture (88) to be able to limit the angular movement of said tank (16) between said two ends forming a stop for said lug.

7. A suspended flushing device according to claim 6, characterized in that said arcuate light (88) of said circular member (84) extends substantially over an angular sector of approximately 120°.

8. A suspended flushing device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that said circular member (84) has another arcuate slot (90) symmetrical to said one arcuate slot (88), while said frame (64) comprises another lug (82) diametrically opposite said one lug (80) and adapted to extend inside said other arcuate slot (90).

9. Suspended flushing device according to any one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that it further comprises a fitting (92) having a circular opening (94) and adapted to be mounted on the surface against said frame (64), while said shaft (60) extends projecting from said circular opening (94).

10. A suspended flushing device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it further comprises a handle (46) adapted to engage with said shaft (60) in order to be able to drive it in rotation.

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