Height-adjustable water closet

Abstract

Water closet (1 ) with a toilet bowl (2) and a water tank (3) resting on a frame stand (4) comprising an upper frame (24) and a lower frame (25), the upper frame being movable in height relative to the lower frame. A cross link (49) connects the upper frame (24) to the lower frame (25) below the toilet bowl (2) at a front end of the water closet (1 ), whereas a lifting device (38) is arranged to connect the upper frame (24) to the lower frame (25) below the water tank (3) at a rear end of the water closet. The upper frame comprises an upper bracket (46; 48) for a power unit (47) included in the lifting device (38), The upper bracket is arranged in a yoke (46) that rises substantially vertically from a rear portion of the upper frame (24), wherein the yoke (46) is formed by a transverse strut (45) connecting the upper ends of two frame side pieces (43; 44) which rise upwards from a rear part of the upper frame (24).

Description

[0001] Height-adjustable water closet

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to a water closet comprising a toilet bowl and a water tank resting on a frame stand which is adjustable in height.

[0004] BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART

[0005] The water closet according to the invention is of the type that is mounted standing on the floor. Floor-mounted water closets usually have a fixed height measured from the floor to the top of the toilet bowl of about 420 to about 480 mm, although other measurements may occur in individual cases. For many user groups, however, a fixed height of the toilet bowl causes difficulty when sitting down and when getting up from the toilet bowl. This difficulty can be experienced by users with weak muscles or limited mobility, and can also be a problem in, for example, care facilities or special residences if the water closet is used by several users with varying mobility or body size.

[0006] Previous attempts to remedy this problem by designing a height-adjustable water closet are known in the patent literature. Of the older solutions known to the applicant, US4726079B1 and US10119262B2 can be mentioned, both of which, like the present invention, use a cross link to ensure a plane-parallel relationship during setting movement and in different fixed positions.

[0007] US4726079B1 , see in particular Figs. 4 and 5 of this document, shows a toilet bowl with an associated water tank resting on an upper plate which is movably connected to a lower plate by means of a cross link formed from two pairs of intersecting link arms interconnected at a respective pivot joint. A lifting device in the form of a hydraulic water-driven cylinder is arranged to act between the upper plate and two of the link arms in the cross link. The cylinder and the cross link form a type of scissor lift which in US4726079B1 utilizes essentially the entire building space and extends below the toilet bowl as well as below the associated water tank. It should also be noted that in a raised position, a surrounding gapshaped opening is formed between the shell parts of the water closet in US4726079B1 , through which moisture and dirt can penetrate to the cross link and the lifting device and other components that may be arranged inside the shell. US10119262B2, see especially Fig. 6a and 6b of this document, shows the lifting mechanism included in a height-adjustable water closet, which includes a toilet bowl standing on an upper platform with an associated water tank. Said upper platform is, via a cross link, movably connected to a lower platform intended to be placed resting on a floor. A lifting device in the form of an electrically driven linear actuator is attached to act between the lower platform and a transverse brace included in the cross link. As with previously mentioned US4726079B1 , the lifting assembly in LIS10119262B2, comprising a linear actuator and a cross link, forms a type of scissor lift which utilizes essentially the entire building space between the upper and lower plate.

[0008] A lifting mechanism which, similar to LIS10119262B2 and LIS10119262B2, utilizes the majority of the building space under the toilet bowl and the water tank prevents the installation and use of the water closet in conjunction with a floor-opening connection to the main-line or other discharge line, as the outlet pipe from the toilet bowl must in such cases be directed downwards behind the toilet bowl. In LIS10119262B2 and US10119262B2 this is possibly less of a problem as both solutions are designed with a rearwardly directed outlet pipe to connect to a discharge line opening out into the wall.

[0009] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] An object of the invention is to provide a height-adjustable water closet with a lifting mechanism arranged to enable the installation of the water closet in conjunction with a discharge or main line opening out both in the floor and in the wall.

[0011] Another object is to provide a height-adjustable water closet with a lifting mechanism arranged to allow a large height adjustment range in conjunction with a compact geometry of the lifting mechanism.

[0012] Another object is to provide a height-adjustable water closet with a lifting mechanism that allows adaptation to a discharge line that deviates from a predetermined position in the floor, and especially with respect to the distance between the opening of the discharge line in the floor and the adjacent wall.

[0013] Another object is to provide a height-adjustable water closet with a hidden lifting mechanism both during movement and in a fixed position, which is protected against penetrating moisture and dirt. To meet one or more of these objects, according to the invention, a water closet with a toilet bowl and a water tank resting on a frame stand is provided, wherein the toilet bowl forms a front part and the water tank forms a rear part of the water closet. Furthermore, the frame stand includes an upper frame and a lower frame, wherein the upper frame is movable in height relative to the lower frame. The lower frame is intended to rest directly or indirectly on the floor. A cross link is arranged between the lower frame and the upper frame which controls the upper frame to maintain a plane-parallel relationship to the lower frame during movement and in fixed positions. An electrically powered lifting device with operating means is arranged and operative to raise and lower the upper frame relative to the lower frame on command. The toilet bowl and water tank are supported on the upper frame, and an outlet pipe of variable length can be arranged to extend through the frame stand from the toilet bowl in order to connect to a discharge line laid in the floor or wall. The cross link connects the upper frame to the lower frame below the toilet bowl at a front end of the water closet, whereas the lifting device connects the upper frame to the lower frame below the water tank at a rear end of the water closet. The upper frame comprises an upper bracket for a power unit included in the lifting device, and that the upper bracket is arranged in a yoke which rises substantially vertically from a rear part of the upper frame.

[0014] An advantage achieved by separating the lifting device from the cross link in the prescribed manner is that a building space is made free between the components of the lifting mechanism which allows for angling and lead-through of the outlet pipe from the toilet bowl to a discharge line opening into the floor via the lower frame of the frame stand.

[0015] An advantage achieved by the fact that the upper frame has an upper bracket for a power unit included in the lifting device, wherein this bracket being arranged in a yoke which rises substantially vertically from a rear part of the upper frame, is that a lifting device with a comparatively long stroke can be offered space in the frame stand to meet an extended adjustment range.

[0016] In one embodiment, said upper bracket has alternative positions for optional mounting of the power unit in a centered or laterally offset position of said yoke. An advantage of this embodiment is that space can be offered centrally in the frame stand for a rearwardly directed outlet pipe when connecting the water closet to a discharge line that opens out into the wall. In one embodiment, the yoke is formed by a transverse strut connecting the upper ends of two frame side pieces which rise upwards from a rear portion of the upper frame. The frame side pieces extend a certain distance along the upper frame and distribute the lifting force over a larger part of the upper frame, which increases the stability of the yoke and the frame stand.

[0017] In one embodiment, the frame stand includes a guide that engages with the frame side pieces and is formed in a wall plate which is prepared to be fixed to the wall, wherein the upper frame is controlled in a rectilinear, typically vertical movement.

[0018] The wall plate may form an integral part of a bottom plate on which the frame stand rests against the floor in the assembled position. An advantage of this embodiment is that, by fixing the frame stand to the floor as well as to the wall by means of one and the same anchoring means, namely a one-piece bottom plate and wall plate, high lateral stability is provided in the frame stand and in the water closet as a whole.

[0019] Where applicable, the bottom plate has an opening for lead-through of the outlet pipe from the toilet bowl, wherein said opening may be oversized with respect to the dimension of the outlet pipe to allow connection of the outlet pipe to a discharge line that deviates from a predetermined position in the floor. It is therefore of particular advantage if said opening is elongated and extends in the longitudinal direction of the water closet up to the end of the frame stand at the rear end of the water closet. This design of the bottom plate allows connection of the outlet pipe to a floor socket which is located close to the wall.

[0020] The lower frame comprises a lower bracket for a linearly movable rod included in the lifting device, which lower bracket is preferably formed in a horizontal cross beam at a rear end of the lower frame. In an advantageous embodiment, the lower bracket has alternative attachment points for optional mounting of the rod in a centered or laterally offset position of the cross beam.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the cross link has a first and a second pair of link arms, each pair of link arms comprising a first link arm which is pivotally connected to a second link arm at a centrally located pivot joint, and wherein the pairs of link arms are non-pivotally connected to each other by means of two or more transverse braces between the link arms. This embodiment increases the stability of the cross link, and ensures a plane-parallel relative movement and positioning of the upper and lower frames in fixed positions. The first link arm of each link arm pair preferably comprises a first link arm section which is separated by the pivot joint from a second link arm section, wherein at least one of the link arm sections has a link arm part angled from the general extension of the first link arm. The second link arm of each pair of link arms may correspondingly have a first link arm section which is separated by the pivot joint from a second link arm section, wherein an obliquely extending central section connects the first and second link arm sections of the second link arm in a mutually parallel offset relationship.

[0022] An advantage and technical effect of the above embodiment of the cross link is that the length and space requirements of the link arms can be reduced and the cross link can be given a compact and space-saving design with maintained lifting capacity and potential regulation and height difference between the lowest and highest positions of the water closet.

[0023] At least one of the objects of the invention is met by a water closet, preferably according to one or more of the above embodiments, wherein the frame stand is protected by a completely or partially enclosing screen. This screen comprises a number of mutually movable lamellas and includes at least one upper lamella which is directly or indirectly connected to the upper movable frame, an intermediate lamella which is connected to the upper lamella in such a way that it is passively carried by the upper lamella when raising the water closet, as well as a lower lamella which is directly or indirectly connected to the lower and stationary frame. The intermediate lamella is suitably arranged to return to a lower position or to the bottom position when the water closet is lowered by the influence of gravity or by other influence, such as by the influence of elastic bands or springs, for example, which may be arranged to act between the intermediate lamella and the lower lamella.

[0024] The upper lamella preferably extends on the outside of the intermediate lamella, whereas the intermediate lamella extends on the outside of the lower lamella. In other words, the intermediate lamella has an upper edge which is located inside the upper lamella and a lower edge which is located outside the lower lamella. The embodiment has the advantage that any liquid on the outside of the water closet runs off the screen and down to the floor without the possibility of penetrating into the frame stand and the lifting mechanism. The upper lamella may alternatively be made with an upper edge that is shaped according to the outer contour of the toilet bowl. The embodiment has the advantage that the screen allows the desired extension in height without gaps forming between the lamellas in the highest positions of the water closet. It may also be added that all of the above-mentioned embodiments of the water closet may be designed with a height or vertically adjustable control area of at least about 200 mm, for setting the distance between the floor and the upper edge of the toilet bowl within a range of about 400 mm to about 600 mm.

[0025] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail below, with reference to the attached drawings. The following schematic drawings thus show

[0027] Fig. 1 a perspective view of the water closet in its lowest position,

[0028] Fig. 2 a corresponding perspective view of the water closet in its highest position,

[0029] Fig. 3 a perspective view corresponding to Figs. 1 and 2 showing the main parts of the water closet separated from each other,

[0030] Fig. 4 a perspective view of a frame stand included in the water closet, shown obliquely from the front,

[0031] Fig. 5 a Fig. 5 corresponding perspective view of the frame stand, shown obliquely from behind,

[0032] Fig. 6 a partially broken away view of the frame stand showing a cross link included in the frame stand on a larger scale,

[0033] Fig. 7 a vertical cross-section through the water closet in its highest position,

[0034] Fig. 8 a perspective view of a screen belonging to the water closet shown obliquely from the front,

[0035] Fig. 9 showing the same screen obliquely from behind, and

[0036] Fig. 10 showing an integrated wall and bottom plate belonging to the frame stand.

[0037] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0038] It should initially be emphasized that the attached drawings are to be regarded as schematic illustrations to the description and that no information or limitations regarding dimensions, angles or design are to be derived solely from the drawings. Furthermore, it should be noted that if there is no information in the description regarding fastening method or fastening means such as screws, bolts, nuts, rivets, welds, glue or couplings, suitable alternatives may be chosen by the person skilled in the art from commercially available or known couplings, fastening means or methods.

[0039] With reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, a water closet 1 is shown in a lowered position (Fig. 1) and in a raised position (Fig. 2), respectively. The main parts of the water closet are shown in Fig. 3 and include a toilet bowl 2, water tank 3, frame stand 4 and screen 5. In the lowered position according to Fig. 1 , the upper edge of the toilet bowl is at a distance hi from the floor, whereas in the raised position according to Fig. 2 the edge of the toilet bowl is at a distance h2 from the floor. The difference between the distances hi and h2 may amount to the order of 150 to 250 mm and preferably amounts to at least approximately 200 mm.

[0040] In order to facilitate the reader's orientation in the drawings and the relative positions of the main parts in the water closet, it can be added that the toilet bowl is located in front of the water tank in a front position of the water closet, that the water tank is located on top of the frame stand in a rear position of the water closet, and that the screen is arranged to fully or partially enclose parts of the frame stand.

[0041] The toilet bowl 2 is adapted for mounting against a wall and for this purpose has a pair of brackets, of which only one bracket 6 is visible in the drawings, which have the form of holes in the material of the toilet bowl for the lead-through of a pair of protruding and threaded rods 7 protruding from the frame stand 4. The water tank 3 is adapted to be mounted resting on a top piece 8 included in the frame stand 4, which for this purpose has holes 9 for through bolts (not shown) which protrude from or are inserted into the underside of the water tank. For the introduction of flushing water into the water tank 3, the top piece 8 has a hole 10 for lead- through of a hose connection to the existing water line at the installation site. An opening 11 in the top piece is arranged for the connection of an inlet pipe 12 shown in Fig. 7 serving for the inlet of flushing water to the toilet bowl 2.

[0042] The top piece 8 is part of a hood belonging to the frame stand 4, generally designated by the reference numeral 13. The hood 13 includes two side pieces 15 and 16 (of which only the side piece 15 is visible in the drawings) and a front piece 17 against which a rear side of the toilet bowl abuts in the assembled position. The front piece 17 has an opening 18 for lead- through of the inlet pipe 12 which leads flushing water from the water tank to the toilet bowl, and also for the lead-through of a connection 19 to an outlet pipe 20 leading from the toilet bowl (see also Fig. 7). It can be added that the outlet pipe 20 should have a variable length, and it may, as illustrated in the drawings, include a bellows. Outlet pipes with bellows suitable for the purpose are available in specialist shops.

[0043] The toilet bowl 2 and the water tank 3 may advantageously be made of porcelain. The top piece and front piece of the hood may be designed to allow the installation of commercially available porcelain products without these having to be modified. The side pieces of the hood may also be made of porcelain, but may alternatively be designed in metal or fiber laminate. Here, fiber laminate refers to a plastic product reinforced with fiber, such as carbon fiber or glass fiber. If the hood is made of metal, a light metal or light metal alloy can be used, such as aluminum, or alternatively steel or stainless steel. Metal side pieces may be painted or otherwise treated to resist corrosion.

[0044] The screen 5, see also Fig. 8 and Fig. 9, comprises, seen from above, an upper lamella 21 , an intermediate lamella 22 and a lower lamella 23. The lamellas 21 , 22 and 23 have the form of elongated, comparatively thin elements which can be molded or bent of sheet metal strips to wrap around both sides and front of the frame stand and cover the frame stand 1 between the floor and the toilet bowl 2, respectively, between the floor and the lower edge of the two side pieces 15 and 16 of the hood 13. The lamellas 21 , 22 and 23 may alternatively be designed to also cover the back of the frame stand in a completely enveloping design. The lamellas 21 , 22 and 23 may, for example, be formed from sheet metal, stainless steel sheet or from plastic or fiber laminate.

[0045] The upper lamella 21 is directly or indirectly connected to an upper frame 24 included in the frame stand, which, in a manner described in more detail below, is arranged to move vertically on command relative to a lower frame 25 included in the frame stand. For this purpose, the upper lamella 21 may include strips 26 with which the upper lamella can be suspended on the upper frame 24 in connection with the screen being pushed onto the frame stand from the front. The lower lamella 23 is directly or indirectly connected to the lower frame 25 which forms a stationary part of the frame stand.

[0046] The intermediate lamella 22 is arranged to be passively carried along in the movements of the upper lamella when adjusting the water closet vertically. More specifically, the intermediate lamella 22 may be connected to the upper lamella 21 by means of carriers 27 supported on the upper lamella 21 which engage in hangers 28 formed or arranged on the intermediate lamella 22. Correspondingly, carriers 27' may be supported on the intermediate lamella to engage hangers 28' formed on the upper lamella. Carriers and hangers may, as illustrated in the drawings, include pins 27, 27' and grooves 28, 28', respectively, but may also be realized in other forms.

[0047] As can be seen most clearly from Fig. 9, wherein the screen 5 is shown from behind in the raised position, the upper lamella 21 extends on the outside of the intermediate lamella 22, whereas the intermediate lamella 22 extends on the outside of the lower lamella 23. More precisely, the lower edge 29 of the upper lamella reaches somewhat below and outside the upper edge 30 of the intermediate lamella, whereas the lower edge 31 of the intermediate lamella reaches somewhat below and outside the upper edge 32 of the lower lamella. Since the lamellas 21 , 22 and 23 exhibit flat and vertical standing sides, the screen 5 will be expanded and compressed in a telescopic manner when changing the height of the water closet.

[0048] With particular reference to Fig. 4 and 5, some of the components included in the frame stand 4 will now be described. As already mentioned, the frame stand 4 comprises an upper frame 24 which is movably adjustable in relation to a lower frame 25 which is stationary in the mounted position of the water closet. The frames 24 and 25 are suitably made of light metal, steel or stainless steel.

[0049] The lower frame 25 comprises two side beams 33 and 34 which at a front end of the lower frame 25 are connected to a front cross beam 35. At a rear end of the lower frame 25 the side beams 33 and 34 are connected by a cross beam 36. The cross beam 36 also serves as a bracket for a linearly extendable rod 37 of a lifting device 38 included in the water closet. More specifically, the bracket has a number of attachment points 39 for alternative mounting of the rod 37 of the lifting device in a centered position, or a position offset to the right or left side of the cross beam 36.

[0050] Correspondingly, the upper frame 24 comprises two side beams 40 and 41 , respectively, which are interconnected at a front end of the upper frame 24 by means of a front cross beam 42. In a rear part of the upper frame 24, a pair of frame side pieces 43 and 44 rise from the upper frame 24. The frame side pieces 43 and 44 are interconnected at an upper end by means of a transverse strut 45. The frame side pieces 43 and 44 form, together with the strut 45, a yoke designated by the common reference number 46, which yoke serves as an attachment for a power unit 47 included in the lifting device 38. The yoke 46 has a number of attachment points 48 for alternative mounting of power unit 47 of the lifting device in a centered position or a position offset to the right or to the left of the yoke 46.

[0051] The frame side pieces 43, 44 are shaped as plates which are attached, with a lower edge, to the upper frame 24 and extend a distance along the upper frame. The frame side pieces may be welded, glued or screwed to the upper frame 24. In this way, the force from the lifting device is distributed over a greater length of the upper frame, which in turn also increases the stability of the yoke 43, 44, 45. The frame side pieces 43, 44 may alternatively be connected to the frame 24 by means of screws (not shown in the drawings) which connect lugs 43' and 44' on the frame side pieces to screw seats 24' formed on the upper frame.

[0052] The frames 24 and 25 and the frame side pieces 43, 44 may be made of light metal such as aluminum, of steel or stainless steel. The side beams and cross beams of the frames can be joined by means of screws, bolts or by welding.

[0053] For the sake of completeness, it should be added that in the shown embodiment of the frame stand, the frame side pieces 43 and 44 have projecting lugs at their front edges (see Fig. 4), which engage in slots 17' formed in the front piece 17 of the hood to support the hood 13 in such a way that the side pieces 15 and 16 of the hood hang down on the outside of the frame side pieces 43 and 44, respectively. The top piece 8 thus rests on the upper edges of the frame side pieces 43 and 44 which support the weight of the water tank 3 and transmit the force to the frame 24 and the lifting device 38.

[0054] The lifting device 38 suitably is in the form of an electrically powered linear actuator with a power unit in the form of a direct current motor with reversible rotation, an associated transformer and an operating means by which the lifting device may be activated on command for rotation in one direction for lifting the toilet bowl and water tank, or activated for rotation in the opposite direction for lowering the toilet bowl and water tank. Actuators suitable for the purpose are commercially available and may provide a lifting capacity in the order of 2000 to 4000 N and have a stroke of preferably at least about 200 mm. The upper frame 24 is movably connected to the lower frame 25 by means of a cross link 49 generally designated in the drawings, which is shown on a larger scale in the partially broken-away view of Fig. 6.

[0055] The cross link 49, which may also be called a scissor or scissor link, ensures that the upper frame 24 during movement and in fixed positions maintains a plane-parallel relationship to the lower frame 25. The cross link 49 has two pairs of intersecting link arms 50 and 51 which are mutually pivotable connected at a centrally located pivot joint 52, located in the center of a cross formed by the link arms. However, the pairs of link arms are non-pivotally connected to each other by means of a number of transverse braces 53, 54 which connect the link arms 50 or 51 of one pair to the corresponding link arms 50 or 51 of the other pair. One end of a first link arm 50 is fixedly but articulately connected to the upper frame 24 through a pivot joint 55, whereas the opposite end of the first link arm 50 is rotatably and slidably mounted in a purpose-shaped groove 56 in the lower frame 25. In a corresponding way, one end of a second link arm 51 is fixedly but articulately connected to the lower frame 25 through a pivot joint 57, whereas the opposite end of the second link arm 51 is rotatably and slidably mounted in a purpose-shaped groove 58 in the upper frame 24.

[0056] In an advantageous and compact design of the cross link 49, the first link arm 50 consists of a first link arm section 59 which is separated by the pivot joint 52 from a second link arm section 60 which in turn has a link arm part 61 angled from the general extension of the first link arm. The second link arm 51 has a first link arm section 62 which is separated by the pivot joint 52 from a second link arm section 64, whereby an obliquely extending central section 63 connects the first and second link arm sections 62, 64 of the second link arm 51 in a mutually parallel offset relationship. In this way, the length of the link arms 50 and 51 may be reduced while maintaining the real lifting height of the cross link.

[0057] The cross link 49 is preferably made of steel or stainless steel.

[0058] The cross-sectional view of Fig. 7 shows the relative positions of the components in the water closet 1. More specifically, the cross-section shows that the compact design and location of the cross link 49 below the toilet bowl, in conjunction with the location of the lifting device 38 below the water tank in a rear position of the frame stand, renders free construction space for a downwardly directed outlet pipe 20 intended for connection to a main or branch line which opens into the floor. With reference to Fig. 5, it is also understood that through the optional mounting of the lifting device in a right or left side offset position, it is possible to connect the water closet to a main or branch line opening into the wall. The mounting options of the lifting device also allow, where applicable, the connection of the water closet to a discharge line opening into the floor close to the wall, by placing the lifting device next to the outlet pipe. Alternatively, if applicable, a lifting device may be placed next to either side of the frame stand so that the outlet pipe extends between the two lifting devices.

[0059] Finally, with reference to Fig. 10, a wall plate 65 will be described which is formed with supports or guides 66 and 67 which cooperate with the frame side pieces 43 and 44 of the upper frame to impart lateral stability to the water closet in motion as well as in fixed positions. The wall plate 65 has an opening 68 for lead-through and connection of the outlet pipe to the main or discharge line opening into the wall. The wall plate 65 may, via a bend, pass into a bottom plate 69 on which the lower frame 25 rests in the assembled position. The bottom plate 69 has an opening 70 for lead-through and connection of the outlet pipe to the main or discharge line opening into the floor. The opening 70 is preferably over-dimensioned in relation to the diameter of the outlet pipe in order to enable the positioning of the water closet over floor sockets, that is, openings into main or discharge lines, which are located at different distances from the wall.

[0060] The wall plate and base plate may be formed in one piece and made of steel or stainless steel. The wall plate is adapted for mounting on a wall and for this purpose may have holes 71 for lead-through of screws or bolts. The bottom plate is suitably adapted to be fixed on the floor by gluing.

[0061] In summary, it can be stated that the above describes several aspects in the design of a height-adjustable water closet, each of which makes its contribution to an entirety that is characterized by a compact structure, which corresponds to high demands on ergonomics and hygiene, which allows flexibility regarding accessible installation options and which fulfills the overall object of providing a well-measured adjustment range with regard to the height of the toilet bowl above the floor. The invention is summarized in the enclosed set of patent claims in which the different aspects cooperating in embodiments of the invention are specified in patent claims that are subordinate to the independently defined solution in patent claim 1.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS1. Water closet (1 ) with a toilet bowl (2) and a water tank (3) resting on a frame stand (4), wherein the toilet bowl forms a front part and the water tank forms a rear part of the water closet, and further comprising:- an upper frame (24) and a lower frame (25), wherein the upper frame is movable in height relative to the lower frame,- a cross link (49) arranged between the upper frame (24) and the lower frame (25) which controls the upper frame to maintain a plane-parallel relationship to the lower frame during movement and in fixed positions,- an electrically powered lifting device (38) with operating means operative to raise or lower the upper frame (25) in relation to the lower frame (24) on command,- where the toilet bowl (2) and water tank (3) are supported on the upper frame (24), and where an outlet pipe of variable length can be arranged to extend through the frame stand from the toilet bowl in order to connect to a discharge line laid in the floor or wall,in that the cross link (49) connects the upper frame (24) to the lower frame (25) below the toilet bowl (2) at a front end of the water closet (1 ), whereas the lifting device (38) connects the upper frame (24) to the lower frame (25) below the water tank (3) at a rear end of the water closet (1 ), wherein the upper frame (24) comprises an upper bracket (46; 48) for a power unit (47) included in the lifting device (38), which upper bracket is arranged in a yoke (46) that rises substantially vertically from a rear portion of the upper frame (24).

2. Water closet according to claim 1 , wherein the yoke (46) is formed by a transverse strut (45) connecting the upper ends of two frame side pieces (43; 44) which rise upwards from a rear part of the upper frame (24).

3. Water closet according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the upper bracket (46; 48) has alternative attachment points (48) for optional mounting of the power unit (47) in a centered or laterally offset position of the yoke (46).

4. Water closet according to claim 2 or 3, further comprising a guide (66; 67) engaging with the frame side pieces (43; 44) and formed in a wall plate (65) which is prepared to be fixed tothe wall, whereby the upper frame (24) is controlled in a rectilinear, typically vertical movement.

5. Water closet according to claim 4, wherein the wall plate (65) is an integral part of a bottom plate (69) on which the frame stand (1) rests against the floor in the assembled position.

6. Water closet according to claim 5, wherein the bottom plate (69) has an opening (70) for lead-through of the outlet pipe from the toilet bowl, wherein said opening (70) is oversized with respect to the dimension of the outlet pipe to allow connection of the outlet pipe to a branch line that deviates from predetermined position in floor.

7. Water closet according to any previous claim, wherein the lower frame (25) comprises a lower bracket (36; 39) for a linearly movable rod (37) included in the lifting device (38), which lower bracket is formed in a horizontal cross beam (36) at a rear end of the lower frame (25).

8. Water closet according to claim 7, wherein the lower bracket (36; 39) has alternative attachment points (39) for optional mounting of the rod (37) in a centered or in a laterally offset position of the cross beam (36).

9. Water closet according to any previous claim, wherein the cross link (49) has a first and a second pair of link arms, each pair of link arms comprising a first link arm (50) which, at a centrally located pivot joint (52), is pivotally connected to a second link arm (51), and wherein the pairs of link arms are non-pivotally connected to each other by means of two or more transverse braces (53; 54) between the link arms (50; 51).

10. Water closet according to claim 9, wherein the first link arm (50) of each pair of link arms (50; 51 ) comprises a first link arm section (59) which is separated by the pivot joint (52) from a second link arm section (60), wherein at least one of the link arm sections (59; 60) has a link arm part (61 ) angled from the general extension of the first link arm (50).11 . Water closet according to claim 10 or 11 , wherein the second link arm (51 ) of the respective pair of link arms (50; 51) comprises a first link arm section (62) which is separatedby the pivot joint (52) from a second link arm section (64), wherein an obliquely extending center section (63) connects the first and second link arm sections (62; 64) of the second link arm (51) in a mutually parallel offset relationship.

12. Water closet according to any previous claim, further comprising a screen (5) completely or partially enclosing the frame stand (1) comprising:- an upper lamella (21) directly or indirectly connected to the upper frame (24),- a lower lamella (23), directly or indirectly connected to the lower frame (25), and- at least one intermediate lamella (22) arranged to be passively carried along by the upper lamella (21 ) when raising the water closet.

13. Water closet according to claim 13, wherein the upper lamella (21) extends on the outside of the intermediate lamella (22), whereas the intermediate lamella (22) extends on the outside of the lower lamella (23).

14. Water closet according to any previous claim, wherein the lifting device (38) has a linear stroke length of at least approximately 200 mm.

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