PLUMBING FITTING FOR WALL-HUNG TOILETS

Abstract

Plumbing fitting for connecting a wall-hung toilet (100) to a wastewater inlet (111), comprising two rigid tubular sleeves (3), one configured to connect to the inlet (111) and the other to connect to a water outlet (103) of the wall-hung toilet (100), characterized in that it comprises a helical spring overmolded with a flexible plastic overmolding forming a flexible and compressible sheath connecting the rigid tubular sleeves (3). Fig. 9

Description

Title of the invention: PLUMBING CONNECTION FOR WALL-HUNG TOILETS

[0001] The present invention relates to a plumbing connection, and more specifically to a plumbing connection for wall-hung toilets and their connection to a pipe inlet. The connection is in particular a connection for draining black water to the sewer.

[0002] Wall-hung toilets are toilets in which the flush and possibly the toilet seat are attached to a wall-mounted fixture. These toilets are easy to install and provide greater aesthetic integration by at least partially hiding the pipes and the flush mechanism.

[0003] Wall-hung toilets comprise a wall-mounted fixture, which will be fixed against the wall, in which the flush is integrated, and a seat or bowl which is generally suspended from the fixture and / or rests on the floor. The flush has a water reserve connected to a water inlet, and the bowl has an outlet through which the water from the flush as well as the stools and urine are evacuated.

[0004] Wall-hung toilets require little or no masonry work for their installation, and are therefore often installed in a pre-existing building, for example during renovation work. The drainage pipes sometimes open onto a horizontal surface (floor), sometimes onto a vertical surface (wall). The outlet angle of the pipe can therefore vary (vertical, horizontal, inclined, etc.). The distance between the water outlet of the seat and the inlet of the drainage pipe is also variable.

[0005] The toilet outlet is usually connected by tubes with fitted sleeves, made of rigid plastic or metal. The tubes are fitted together by means of sleeves extending the tubes. These sleeves fit onto one end of another tube. The tubes are assembled into structures connecting the outlet of the suspended toilet to a wastewater drainage pipe.

[0006] Sleeve tubes are manufactured and sold in standardized pieces or kits, with elbows, siphons, T or cross fittings, etc. The dimensions of these tubes are predetermined, in terms of diameters and lengths, with constant increments. Various amenities such as showers, toilets, bathtubs, etc. are offered for sale in kits, with a preselection of sleeves and fittings allowing their connection, and therefore their installation, in the most commonly encountered configurations. Wall-hung toilets are also mostly offered for sale and distributed in the form of a kit, packaged and treated se- facing.

[0007] Unlike plumbing tubes and pipes, which have standardized angles and lengths, the connection of wall-hung toilets to the waste pipe may have continuously variable angles and lengths. In particular, a configuration may be present in which the axes of the pipe outlet and the bowl outlet may be non-intersecting, i.e. parallel or non-coplanar. These configurations with non-intersecting axes require in particular a solution with at least two elbows and three tube segments.

[0008] The only easy operation for adapting to an installation of standardized sleeves and tubes is the cutting of a longer tube before fitting the sleeves. Custom manufacturing or deformation, for example of thermoplastic pipes with hot air, are alternatives to constructions in standardized parts and kits, but represent a significant cost and technical complication.

[0009] The space available in the wall light is also limited. In particular, the depth, in the axis perpendicular to the wall. It is therefore not always possible to use multiple elbow assemblies allowing fine adjustment in position and angle of the end of the pipe. However, the diameter of the pipe used cannot be reduced below values ​​allowing the evacuation of solid residues, often imposed by standards. In particular, the length of the tube sleeves is generally proportional to the diameter, for reasons of strength of the connection.

[0010] The connection with two outputs with non-intersecting axes is therefore particularly complicated in the limited space of the wall light.

[0011] As a result, it is impossible to package wall-hung toilets with a sleeve tube kit forming a structure allowing connection without knowing the exact configuration of the connections to the pipes at the installation site, unless the number of parts is multiplied, which adds to the price and complexity of the distribution logistics.

[0012] Flexible plastic pipes are also known, with accordion-shaped walls, or with a crenellated longitudinal section. The folds and hollows of these flexible pipes form annular housings in which wastewater is deposited and stagnates. This stagnation leads to odors and increased wear. These flexible plastic pipes therefore have less durability and less resistance to chemical attack.

[0013] Thus there is a need for a plumbing connection for connecting wall-hung toilets to a drain pipe which is easy to install, including in complex and non-standardized connection configurations, takes up little space when installed (particularly inside a wall light) and does not represent a significant additional cost.

[0014] In order to meet this need, the invention proposes a plumbing connection for connecting a wall-hung toilet to a wastewater drainage pipe inlet, comprising two rigid tubular sleeves, one configured to connect to the pipe inlet, and the other to connect to a water outlet of the wall-hung toilet, characterized in that it comprises a helical spring overmolded with an overmolding of flexible plastic material forming a flexible and compressible sheath connecting the rigid tubular sleeves.

[0015] The connector according to the invention has in particular sufficient strength and deformability for its use with suspended toilets. Its deformability allows it in particular to be variable in length, in connection angle and in particular during a non-coplanar configuration of the axes of the outlets of the pipe and the bowl.

[0016] The folds allowing its compression are also spiral, and open longitudinally, which reduces the stagnation of waste water.

[0017] The connection may further have one or more of the following characteristics.

[0018] The sheath may comprise a bellows structure with spiral folds, the spring he licoid passing through a vertex of a spiral fold.

[0019] The sleeves and the overmolding can be made of plastic material such as PVC, polyethylene, polypropylene or polyurethane.

[0020] The overmolding and the rigid tubular sleeves can be made from the same material and come from one piece.

[0021] The connection may have a maximum extension length of 25 to 35 cm and a maximum compression length of 15 to 25 cm.

[0022] The number of turns of the helical spring is advantageously between 10 and 20.

[0023] A portion of a coil of the helical spring may be overmolded into one of the sleeves of the connector.

[0024] The connector may have two helical springs overmolded in the sheath and the two helical springs may be of different diameters and arranged concentrically during overmolding, the large diameter spring being overmolded in the outer folds and the small diameter spring being overmolded in the inner folds of the sheath,

[0025] The connector may have two helical springs overmolded in the sheath and the two springs may be of identical diameter, and wound one inside the other, with a phase shift of a fraction of a turn, typically a half turn.

[0026] The invention also relates to the method of manufacturing a plumbing fitting as previously described, characterized in that it comprises the steps: - Insertion of a helical spring into a spiral housing of a mold, - Overmolding of the helical spring using a deformable plastic material of way of generating a flexible and compressible sheath, - Fixing the sheath to two rigid tubular sleeves so as to generate the connection.

[0027] The step of fixing the sheath to two sleeves may in particular comprise a sub-step of gluing to the sleeves of the sheath, in particular by means of a neoprene type glue.

[0028] The step of fixing the sheath to two sleeves may alternatively comprise a sub-step of welding the sheath to the sleeves.

[0029] The steps of overmolding the helical spring and fixing the sheath to two sleeves can be combined into one step in which the deformable plastic material is injected into a continuous mold forming the sheath and the sleeves, which are then formed in one piece.

[0030] Finally, the invention relates to a kit for installing suspended toilets, comprising:

[0031] • a bowl having a water outlet, configured to be connected to a flushing mechanism, • a flushing mechanism, • a wall light, configured to be, upon installation, secured on one hand to a wall and on the other hand to the bowl, and to contain the flushing mechanism, and a plumbing fitting as previously described, configured to connect the water outlet (103) of the bowl to a pipe inlet.

[0032] Other characteristics and advantages will appear on reading the description of the figures below, among which:

[0033] [Fig. 1] is a schematic perspective view of a plumbing fitting according to the invention, in extension,

[0034] [Fig.2] is a schematic perspective view of the plumbing fitting of [Fig.l], in compression,

[0035] [Fig.3] is a partial sectional view of the flexible sheath of the connector of Figures 1 and 2,

[0036] [Fig.4] is a partial sectional view of the soup sheath of an embodiment al ternative,

[0037] [Fig.5],

[0038] [Fig.6],

[0039] [Fig.7] and

[0040] [Fig.8] are side views of a connector according to one embodiment of the invention,

[0041] [Fig.9],

[0042] [Fig. 10] and

[0043] [Fig. 11] are sectional views of wall-hung toilets connected to different pipe configurations, by means of fittings as shown in Figures 6, 7 and 8,

[0044] [Fig. 12] is a schematic representation of a wall-hung toilet installation kit according to the invention,

[0045] [Fig. 13] is a flowchart schematically showing the main steps of the manufacturing process of a fitting according to the invention,

[0046] [Fig. 14],

[0047] [Fig. 15],

[0048] [Fig. 16] and

[0049] [Fig.17] illustrate steps of an embodiment of the method of [Fig.12],

[0050] [Fig. 18] illustrates a particular embodiment of connection,

[0051] [Fig. 19] illustrates an alternative embodiment of connection.

[0052] The various embodiments shown are given for illustrative and non-limiting purposes. Many features of different embodiments may be combined or have minor variations without deviating from the concept of the invention.

[0053] [Fig.l] is a schematic perspective view of a plumbing connection 1, in particular for a wall-hung toilet type installation.

[0054] The connector 1 comprises two sleeves 3, of straight tubular shape, with a predetermined diameter, corresponding for one of the sleeves 3 to the diameter of a suspended toilet bowl outlet, and for the other sleeve 3 to the diameter of a pipe to which the suspended toilet must be connected.

[0055] The two tubular sleeves 3 have a length of 3 to 10 cm. In particular, their diameter is here the same for the two sleeves 3, and corresponds for example to a standard diameter: 60, 80 or 100 mm.

[0056] According to other embodiments not shown, the sleeves 3 may be different, one larger in diameter and longer. The connector 1 then forms an adapter.

[0057] The two sleeves 3 are connected by a flexible sheath 5. The sheath 5 is in particular composed of a helical spring 7, in particular metallic, overmolded with an overmolding 9 of plastic material, of a thickness sufficiently reduced to be flexible. The helical spring 7 is advantageously made of stainless spring steel type steel, containing a portion of silica ensuring elasticity, and chromium for passivation.

[0058] The diameter of the wire of the helical spring 5 is in particular less than 3 mm, preferably 2 mm. The number of turns of the helical spring 5 is between 10 and 20, more precisely between 12 and 15, and typically 13.

[0059] The sheath 5 is then both deformable and compressible. The material of the overmolding 9 of the sheath 5 is for example PVC, polyethylene, polypropylene or polyurethane. In particular, the sleeves 3 and the overmolding 9 of the sheath 5 can be identical, and the sleeves 3 and the overmolding 9 can then come from the same material.

[0060] The sheath 5 of the connector 1 of [Fig.l] is in extension. The turns of the helical spring 7 are separated, and said helical spring 7 is deformed in extension. The length of the connector 1 in this state, its maximum extension, is approximately 25 to 35 cm.

[0061] In [Fig.2], the sheath 5 is shown in compression. The turns of the helical spring 7 are brought together, and said helical spring 7 is deformed in compression. The length of the connector 1 in this state, its maximum compression, is approximately 15 to 25 cm.

[0062] [Fig.3] shows in section a portion of sheath 5, with the turns of the helical spring 7, on the left in [Fig.3] the sheath 5 is in extension (as in [Fig.1]), and on the right in [Fig.3] the sheath 5 is in compression (as in [Fig.2]).

[0063] The sheath 5 has a general bellows shape, with helical folds, the helical spring 7 passing through the top, in particular the outer top, of the folds. In extension, the turns of the helical spring 7 are spaced apart, and the folds are relatively open. In compression, the turns of the helical spring 7 are brought together and the folds are relatively closed.

[0064] The helical folds corresponding to the turns of the helical spring 7, whose path they follow, form helical gutters opening at their two ends. These gutters opening at their axial ends, allow an efficient flow of water and solid residues which flow through the connection 1.

[0065] The combination of the helical spring 7 with the overmolding 9 forming a membrane between the turns of the helical spring 7 makes it possible to obtain a deformable and compressible structure, which offers a wide variety of configurations. The overmolded helical spring 7 is also protected from oxidation by the overmolding 9.

[0066] The helical spring 7 improves the resistance to stresses and tears, thus reinforcing the overmolding in waterproof flexible plastic material. The bellows structure with helical folds reduces the stresses, particularly in compression of the sheath 5.

[0067] By being placed at the top of the folds of the structure, the helical spring 7 also makes it possible to stiffen the helical folds, and therefore the durability of this folded structure, which ensures good flow through the gutters thus formed and high durability over time.

[0068] [Fig. 4] shows an embodiment of sheath 5 in section. The connector 1 of [Fig. 4] comprises two helical springs 7, 70 of different diameters. The large diameter spring 7 is arranged around the small diameter spring 70, concentrically, their axes of revolution superimposed. The small diameter spring 70 passes through the inner peaks of the folds, and the large diameter spring 7 passes through the outer peaks of the folds.

[0069] The reinforcing effect of the helical fold structure is then multiplied.

[0070] Similarly, if the diameter of the sleeves 3 is sufficiently large, two springs 7 of the same diameter can be nested before overmolding, with a winding phase shift of half a turn, so as to double the number of folds and reinforce the mechanical strength of the connection 1.

[0071] Figures 5 to 8 are side views of a connector 1 as previously described, subjected to different deformations in the plane of these figures.

[0072] In [Fig.5], the connector 1 is straight. This position corresponds to a rest position, corresponding to a minimum of elastic deformation. In this position, the two sleeves 3 have aligned axes A1, A2 of revolution. In this configuration, the connector 1 would replace a portion of straight pipe, to connect outlets with aligned axes. The axes A1 and A2 of the sleeves 3 at the top and bottom in [Fig.6] are notably merged.

[0073] In [Fig.6], the fitting 1 is bent at an angle of approximately 45°. The axis A1 of the sleeve at the top in [Fig.6] is at an angle of approximately 45° relative to the axis A2 of the sleeve 3 at the bottom in [Fig.6].

[0074] The connector 1 then serves as an elbow, at 45° here relative to the straight configuration of [Fig.5], but more generally for arms with obtuse angles.

[0075] In [Fig.7], the fitting 1 is bent at a right angle. The axis Al of the sleeve at the top in [Fig.7] is at an angle of approximately 45° to the axis A2 of the sleeve 3 at the bottom in [Fig.7]. The axes Al, A2 of the sleeves 3 are mutually at right angles.

[0076] Fitting 1 would here serve to replace a rigid right-angle elbow. Acute-angle elbows, although little used in plumbing, can also be obtained.

[0077] In [Fig.8], the connection 1 is offset. The axes A1 and A2 of the two sleeves 3 are parallel but not coincident.

[0078] In this configuration, the connector 1 can connect offset pipes. It replaces a two-elbow, three-segment “Z” structure, in a single piece and with increased compactness.

[0079] The deformations of the "off-axis" and "bent" configurations can be combined. Similarly, a bend configuration can be compressed or stretched.

[0080] A large number of configurations are then accessible with the single connector 1 according to the invention. The connector 1 is furthermore continuously deformable: continuous ranges of angles and lengths are accessible, no longer just predetermined values ​​in a discrete set.

[0081] Figures 9 to 11 show wall-hung toilet installations 100, in which the fittings 1 of Figures 6, 7 and 8 are used.

[0082] The wall-hung toilet 100 comprises a bowl 101, having a water outlet 103. The bowl 101, in the installed state, is carried by a wall bracket 105, which is, in the installed state, attached to a wall 107 of the building in which the wall-hung toilet 100 are installed.

[0083] The wall light 105 comprises, for example, a frame and a covering, thus forming a parallelepiped assembly, from which the bowl 101 protrudes at the front. The wall light 105 houses, in particular, in the installed state, a flushing mechanism 109, connected to the bowl 101 to allow the evacuation of stools and urine by actuating the flushing mechanism 109.

[0084] The water outlet 103 of the bowl 101 is to be connected to a pipe inlet 111, typically a pipe inlet 111 connected to the sewers or to a septic tank for the evacuation of waste water. The pipe inlet 111 is in particular in the form of a tube integrated into a wall or a floor. These tubes are generally placed during masonry work, and cannot be modified without difficult and expensive work.

[0085] The connection of the suspended toilets 100 is carried out by threading a sleeve 3 of a connector 1 onto or into the water outlet 103 of the bowl 101, and the other sleeve 3 of said connector 1 onto or into the pipe inlet 111.

[0086] The bowl 101 of figures 9 to 11 has a water outlet 103 with a horizontal axis. Other embodiments can of course be produced by modifying this axis.

[0087] In [Fig.9], the pipe inlet 111 opens into a wall 107, with a horizontal axis, therefore parallel to that of the water outlet 103, but offset.

[0088] The connection 1 used here is deformed as in [Fig.8], it is offset. Its two sleeves 3 are parallel, but with offset axes.

[0089] In [Fig. 10], the pipe inlet 111 opens into the ground, near the wall 107, with a vertical axis. The axes of the water outlet 103 of the bowl 101 and the axis of the pipe inlet 111 are therefore at right angles.

[0090] The connection 1 used here is deformed as in [Fig.7], it is at a right angle.

[0091] In [Fig. 11], the pipe inlet 111 opens at the angle between the floor and the wall 107, with an axis inclined at 45°. The axes of the water outlet 103 of the bowl 101 and the axis of the pipe inlet 111 are therefore at a 45° bend.

[0092] The connection 1 used here is deformed as in [Fig.8], it is a 45° angle elbow.

[0093] [Fig. 12] illustrates a kit 113 for installing wall-hung toilets 100. The kit 113 comprises the previously described components of the wall-hung toilet 100: bowl 101, wall-mounted element 105, flushing mechanism 109, and possibly a set of means for fixing the components and the wall-mounted element 105 to the wall 107.

[0094] The kit 113 further comprises at least one connector 1, as described previously. Further, the kit 113 may comprise several connectors 1, with different lengths, diameters, etc. for greater adaptability.

[0095] Each of the fittings 1 replaces in this kit 113 potentially significant number of rigid tubes and elbows with sleeves. Therefore, the kits 113 can be packaged, transported and sold with the fittings 1. These fittings 1, single or in reduced number, are light, easy to pack and small in volume, in particular compared to the rigid piping assemblies that would have to be included to cover all the configurations accessible with the fitting 1 according to the invention.

[0096] [Fig. 13] is a linear flowchart illustrating the method 200 for manufacturing a fitting 1 according to the invention. Figures 14 to 17 illustrate the main steps of said method 200.

[0097] The first step 201 is the insertion of a helical spring 7 into a mold 210. The mold 210 is shown empty in [Fig. 14]. It comprises two end portions 211, 213, a central bellows portion 215, with spiral folds and sufficiently thin so that the molded material remains flexible, and a spiral housing 217 located at the top of the spiral folds of the central bellows portion 215.

[0098] The helical spring 7 is absent in [Fig. 14], and inserted into the spiral housing 217 in [Fig.15].

[0099] The second step 203 is the overmolding of the helical spring 7 by means of a plastic material, injected into the mold 210, in particular at the level of its central bellows portion 215, in the spiral folds. This step generates the flexible and compressible sheath 5.

[0100] The third step 205 is the fixing of the sheath 5 thus obtained to two rigid tubular sleeves 3.

[0101] These two steps 203, 205 are carried out in a single injection molding step in the embodiment of Figures 14 to 17.

[0102] The injection of the plastic material into the mold 210 is shown in [Fig. 16]. The plastic material, injected in the fluid state, fills the end portions 211, 213 corresponding to the sleeves 3. The end portions 211, 213 are here tubular, with a sufficient thickness so that the sleeves 3 obtained are rigid.

[0103] The plastic material also fills the central bellows portion 215, overmolding the helical spring located in the spiral housing 217, thus forming during the same molding step the sleeves 3 and the sheath 5 which come from the same material.

[0104] The steps 203, 205 of overmolding the helical spring 7 and of connecting the sheath 5 to the two sleeves 3 are combined into a single step in which the deformable plastic material is injected into the continuous mold 201 forming the sheath 5 and the sleeves 3 during injection, which then come from the same material.

[0105] The connection 1 obtained during demolding is shown in [Fig.17]. It has two sleeves 3, connected by a bellows sheath 5, with a helical spring 7 and an overmolding 9 made of plastic material. The sheath 5 is thin enough to be elastically deformable at the same time as the helical spring 7, and the sleeves 3 are thick enough to be rigid.

[0106] [Fig. 18] shows an alternative embodiment of connector 1, obtained by molding in a mold 210 similar to that of Figures 14 to 17. In this embodiment, the helical spring 7 extends into the sleeves 3, in which it is also overmolded.

[0107] In particular, each sleeve 3 advantageously comprises at least one turn of the helical spring 7 overmolded in its material.

[0108] The strength and resistance, especially in traction, of the connection 1 are then reinforced, the portion of helical spring 7 overmolded in each sleeve 3 forming a mechanical reinforcement.

[0109] [Fig. 19] shows an alternative embodiment of connector 1, during assembly. In the embodiment shown, the sleeves 3 are made separately from the sheath 5.

[0110] The sheath 5 is here attached, by being glued, welded or fixed during the third step 205 to the sleeves 3, for example by means of a neoprene type glue, thermal or ultrasonic welding, shape-cooperating elements, etc.

[0111] The step 205 of fixing the sheath 5 to the sleeves 3 then respectively comprises a sub-step of gluing or welding the sheath 5 to the sleeves 3.

[0112] By producing the sheath 5 and the sleeves 3 separately, it is possible to produce them continuously, then to cut them longitudinally to the correct length. The sheath 5 and the sleeves 3 can then be produced by continuous extrusion, like known flexible and rigid plastic tubes.

[0113] The connector 1 according to the invention makes it possible to simply solve, in most configurations, the problem of connecting the suspended toilets 100 to a pipe inlet 111. The connector 1 is also easy to manufacture and inexpensive. This connector 1 is also compact and can easily be integrated, shipped and sold in a kit 113 for installing suspended toilets 100.

Claims

Claims

1. Plumbing connection for connecting a wall-hung toilet (100) to a wastewater drainage pipe inlet (111), comprising two rigid tubular sleeves (3), one configured to connect to the pipe inlet (111), and the other to connect to a water outlet (103) of the wall-hung toilet (100), characterized in that it comprises a helical spring (7) overmolded with an overmolding (9) of flexible plastic material forming a flexible and compressible sheath (5) connecting the rigid tubular sleeves (3).

2. Plumbing fitting according to claim 1, characterized in that the sheath (3) comprises a bellows structure with spiral folds, the helical spring (7) passing through a top of a spiral fold.

3. Plumbing connection according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the sleeves (3) and the overmolding (9) are made of plastic material such as PVC, polyethylene, polypropylene or polyurethane.

4. Plumbing connection according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the overmolding (9) and the rigid tubular sleeves (3) are made of the same material and are integral.

5. Plumbing connection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a maximum extension length of 25 to 35 cm and a maximum compression length of 15 to 25 cm.

6. Plumbing connection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the number of turns of the helical spring (7) is between 10 and 20.

7. Method for manufacturing a plumbing fitting (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises the steps: - Insertion (201) of a helical spring (7) into a spiral housing of a mold (210), - Overmolding (203) of the helical spring (7) by means of a deformable plastic material so as to generate a flexible and compressible sheath (5), - Fixing (205) of the sheath (5) to two rigid tubular sleeves (3) so as to generate the fitting (1).

8. Method of manufacturing a plumbing connection according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the step of fixing (205) the sheath (5) to two sleeves (3) comprises a sub-step of gluing to the sleeves (3) of the sheath (5), in particular by means of a neoprene type glue.

9. A method of manufacturing a plumbing fitting according to claim 7, characterized in that the step of fixing (205) the sheath (5) to two sleeves (3) comprises a sub-step of welding the sheath (5) to the sleeves (3).

10. Method of manufacturing a plumbing fitting according to claim 7, characterized in that the steps of overmolding (203) the helical spring (7) and fixing (205) the sheath (5) to two sleeves (3) are combined into one step in which the deformable plastic material is injected into a continuous mold (201) forming the sheath (5) and the sleeves (3) during injection, which then come from the same material.

11. A wall-hung toilet installation kit (100), comprising: - a bowl (101) having a water outlet (103), configured to be connected to a flushing mechanism (109), - a flushing mechanism (109), - a wall-mounted element (105), configured to be, upon installation, secured on the one hand to a wall (107) and on the other hand to the bowl (101), and to contain the flushing mechanism (109), characterized in that it further comprises a plumbing connection (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, configured to connect the water outlet (103) of the bowl (101) to a pipe inlet (111).

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