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(11) | EP 2 204 510 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Support structure for a toilet bowl and method for placing such a support structure |
| (57) The present invention relates to a support structure for a toilet bowl, comprising:
a wall panel in which are integrated a water reservoir, a flushing channel connected
to the water reservoir and a discharge channel, which are each accessible from an
outer side of the wall panel and which flushing channel and discharge channel can
be connected on a front side of the wall panel to a toilet bowl to be connected to
the support structure, wherein the wall panel is substantially flat on the front side
and the support structure is 56 to 120 centimetres wide, preferably 70 to 110 centimetres,
and more preferably 80 to 98 centimetres. The invention also relates to a method for
fixing a support structure for a toilet bowl to a wall part of a toilet space.
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[0001] The present invention relates to a support structure for a toilet bowl, comprising: a wall panel in which are situated a water reservoir, a flushing channel connected to the water reservoir and a discharge channel, which are each accessible from an outer side of the wall panel and which flushing channel and discharge channel can be connected on a front side of the wall panel to a toilet bowl to be connected to the support structure.
[0002] The placing of toilet bowls in toilet spaces is a frequent occurrence, both in new house building and in the renovation of existing buildings. Toilet bowls can be readily built in without supporting on the ground by making use of said support structures. A drawback of said support structures is however that they must be built into a wall or behind a pre-wall, this entailing considerable structural work. Building-in requires multiple operations, including arranging a pre-wall for the purpose of finishing the support structure, such as for instance by means of tiling.
[0003] An object of the present invention is to provide a support structure for a toilet bowl with which a built-in reservoir and toilet bowl can be placed in a more efficient manner than according to the prior art.
[0004] The invention provides for this purpose a support structure of the above stated type, wherein the wall panel is substantially flat on the front side and the support structure is 56 to 120 centimetres wide, preferably 70 to 110 centimetres, and more preferably 80 to 98 centimetres. These measures have the advantage that the support structure can be placed and finished in relatively simple manner. One reason herefor is that the support structure according to the invention can be finished in simplified manner, such as for instance in the form of the tiling or other finishing of the wall panel. This is because the front side of the wall panel is substantially flat, so that it can be directly finished as desired without further intermediate operations in which the support structure is covered. A very common finishing method is tiling. Tiles, but also other covering materials, can perhaps be arranged on the support structure immediately, or after applying only adhesive primer, using for instance a mortar or adhesive material. It is otherwise also possible for a part of the finishing material (for instance tiles) to already form part of the support structure. Another very important advantage of the support structure according to the invention is that the width thereof (56 to 120 centimetres, preferably 70 to 110 centimetres, and more preferably 80 to 98 centimetres) corresponds to the usual width of toilet spaces, thereby further simplifying finishing of the support structure. The support structure can hereby be placed against a wall of a toilet space such that in the width it substantially fully fills the space between two opposite toilet walls. "Substantially fully" filling this space is understood to mean that only a few gaps to the left and right of the support structure remain clear; these are desirable for placing the support structure in the desired position. The required finishing of the support structure for the purpose of eventually obtaining a fully filled situation (i.e. a completely flat wall of which the support structure forms part) is extremely limited as a result of the present invention. If the width of the support structure almost entirely (or substantially) corresponds to the width of the toilet space, no further finishing is required. The gaps which are left clear can optionally be filled with a filler material. Not only can the support structure hereby be placed quickly and more cheaply than the prior art support structures, the chance of cracks forming in the wall of which the support structure forms part (or even better: which is formed wholly by the support structure) is also small. The properties of the materials with which traditional support structures are finished usually differ from those of the material from which the support structure is manufactured, and these materials are moreover arranged at a later point in time than that at which the support structure is manufactured. The mutually differing materials can begin to work in the course of time, resulting in undesired crack-forming.
[0005] In a first embodiment the wall panel is provided on the rear side with a protruding segment, which protruding segment leaves clear a recessed passage along the whole length of the rear side of the wall panel. Through these measures the support structure can be placed in simple manner against a wall of a toilet space. Even if obstructive objects, such as for instance usual objects such as tubes and/or pipes running vertically through the toilet space (also referred to as standpipes), are present in the immediate vicinity of the support structure, they can desirably also be at least partially received in a passage recessed into the support structure. Not only can the support structure hereby be placed easily and quickly in the desired position and connected to the wall, the support structure can also be placed closely adjacent to, and in particular lying against, a wall without useful space being lost. The conduit, pipe or tube will after all be situated in the passage. The available (leg) room remaining for users is thus not reduced unnecessarily. These measures can otherwise also be applied in support structures with a width differing from that stated above.
[0006] The same advantages are obtained with a method for fixing a support structure for a toilet bowl according to the present invention in a toilet space, comprising of: providing a water supply and an outlet connected to the sewer, coupling the water supply to a water reservoir located in a support structure, coupling the outlet to a first outer end of a discharge channel located in the support structure, and fixing the support structure adjacently of, and in particular lying against, a wall of the toilet space. The method is particularly characterized here in that an object situated in the vicinity of the wall is received in a passage recessed into the rear side of the wall panel.
[0007] It can be advantageous here to support the support structure on adapter means during fixing. The support structure can hereby be easily held at a desired height without prolonged extra effort being necessary on the part of the user.
[0008] In a first embodiment the protruding segment leaves clear two passages situated on opposite sides of the rear side of the wall panel and extending over the full length. The support structure hereby provides improved possibilities for receiving a single conduit, pipe or tube situated in the immediate vicinity of a wall to which the support structure is fixed. Two vertically extending tubes, pipes or conduits can desirably also be at least partially received in the passages recessed into the support structure.
[0009] In another embodiment the protruding segment leaves clear a recessed passage over the full width of the rear side of the wall panel. Such a recess can advantageously be used to receive conduits, such as for the water supply. This measure can advantageously be applied particularly if a flexible water supply is used. At least the water reservoir in particular is accessible from this recess, whereby the water supply can be positioned such that it debouches in the water reservoir or can be coupled to the water reservoir via coupling means. The passage extending in the width direction is situated particularly at the top of the rear side. A user can hereby couple conduits on the top side of the support structure to the support structure in simple manner.
[0010] In yet another embodiment the support structure comprises fixing means for connecting the support structure to a wall of a toilet space. The support structure can hereby be easily fixed to a wall in a short time. The fixing means particularly comprise through-openings, each provided with a bush. The bushes are particularly manufactured substantially from a metal in order to provide fixing means of sufficient strength. By making use of such fixing means the support structure can be fixed with great strength to a wall. The support structure is advantageously fixed to the wall using coupling elements such as threaded ends or bolts. The coupling elements are particularly countersunk in the front side of the support structure in the mounted position of the support structure. The front side of the support structure hereby remains substantially flat, whereby finishing thereof remains quick and simple. Alternatively, it is also possible to fix the support structure to a wall by means of coupling means situated on side edges of the support structure.
[0011] An advantageous method here comprises, during fixing of the support structure, of coupling fixing means to the wall part of the toilet space lying behind through at least two openings extending in line with through-openings in the wall panel. A simple method is hereby provided for placing of the support structure, wherein the support structure can be fixed with great strength to a wall. The support structure is particularly fixed by coupling four fixing means, extending in line with through-openings in the wall panel, to the wall of the toilet space lying behind.
[0012] It can be advantageous to also provide the support structure with fixing means for fixing support means for disabled users to the support structure. Disabled users can hereby support on the support means, such as support brackets, whereby it is easier for them to sit down and stand up. The fixing means are particularly adapted for hinged mounting of one or more support brackets on the support structure. Provisions can also be included, such as for instance provisions for the disabled or electrical provisions for the purpose of for instance shower-toilets and seats.
[0013] The toilet bowl can be coupled in various ways to the support structure. The support structure particularly comprises toilet bowl coupling means for coupling a toilet bowl mechanically to the wall panel on the front side of the wall panel in co-action with counter-coupling means. Not only can a toilet bowl hereby be coupled quickly to the support structure at a pre-known position, but also in simple manner. The toilet bowl coupling means particularly comprise at least two openings located at a pre-known mutual distance in the wall panel, each provided with a bush with internal screw thread.
[0014] The discharge channel can be coupled to the sewer in various ways. The discharge channel particularly runs from the front side to the underside of the wall panel. With this measure the discharge channel can be coupled quickly and easily to the sewer. It can be advantageous for there to be an opening situated on the underside of the support structure, into which opening the discharge channel extends, the opening having a width greater than the width and/or the diameter of the discharge channel. Space is hereby provided for manual coupling of the discharge channel to the sewer by a user. Coupling the discharge channel to the sewer is also possible via a sewer pipe connected to the sewer.
[0015] In another embodiment the corners where the sides of the wall panel connect to each other are chamfered at least on the underside of the wall panel. By giving the corners where the sides of the wall panel connect to each other a chamfered form at least on the underside of the wall panel the support structure can be fixed to a wall of the toilet space with increased efficiency. Possible conduits lying along the underside of the wall of the toilet space can be received in the space obtained by the chamfering. It is also possible for the corners of the underside of the walls of the toilet space to connect by means of a rounding to the ground surface of the toilet space. This usually concave rounding takes up space, which space can be received in the space of the wall panel obtained at least on the underside of the wall panel by the chamfering of the corners where the sides of the wall panel connect to each other. The sides where the side edges and the rear side connect to the underside are particularly also chamfered. Objects, such as conduits, which may be situated on the ground surface of the toilet space along the wall against which the support structure is fixed are here received in the space obtained due to the chamfering.
[0016] The wall panel of the support structure can be manufactured from various materials, such as wood or metal. The wall panel is substantially manufactured particularly from a moisture-repellent material. The lifespan of the support structure, and thereby of the fixing of the toilet bowl to the support structure, is hereby considerably improved.
[0017] Water or other liquid medium possibly released from the water reservoir, the flushing channel and/or the discharge channel and humid air situated in the toilet space is hereby not absorbed by the wall panel, or is absorbed only to a very limited extent. An advantageous material is expanded clay, also known as light expanded clay aggregate (LECA), optionally in combination with PU-integral foam. This moisture-repellent material is sound-damping, fire-resistant, compression-resistant and strong. This material hereby guarantees a good form-retention of the support structure.
[0018] In another embodiment at least one corner where sides of the wall panel connect to each other is provided with a strengthening strip. Such a strengthening strip provides for a form-retaining wall panel and also provides protection against possible shock loads. A form-retaining wall panel is provided particularly when the periphery, i.e. the two side edges, the bottom edge and the top edge, are provided with a strengthening strip manufactured substantially from metal.
[0019] In yet another embodiment the wall panel is provided with a height indication for indicating the desired build-in height of the wall panel. A height reference is hereby obtained, whereby a toilet bowl can be placed at the desired height in simple and precise manner.
[0020] The support structure can be lifted and carried in diverse ways. The wall panel particularly comprises handgrips. This measure facilitates displacement and positioning of the support structure, while such handgrips can be arranged in very simple manner. The handgrips are particularly embodied as recesses located in the sides or front and/or rear sides of the wall panel. This combines easy displacement of the support structure with a flat front side of the wall panel.
[0021] The present invention will be further elucidated on the basis of the non-limitative exemplary embodiments shown in the following figures. Identical components are designated in the figures with the same reference numerals. Herein:
figure 1 shows a schematic perspective front view of a support structure according to the present invention;
figure 2 shows a highly schematic top view of the support structure of figure 1;
figure 3 shows a schematic perspective rear view of the support structure of figure 1; and
figure 4 shows a toilet space in which the support structure of figure 1 is placed.
[0022] Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a support structure 1, which can also be referred to as an installation block, wall element, built-in element, built-in wall element, pre-wall or built-in pre-wall. Support structure 1 comprises a rectangular wall panel 10, this wall panel 10 comprising a front part 11, with a front side 11a, and a protruding segment 12 located behind front part 11. The wall panel further comprises a bottom edge 13, a top edge 14 and side edges 15, 16. Close to side edges 15, 16 protruding segment 12 leaves recesses 17, 18 clear on either side, which recesses extend over the height h of wall panel 10. Close to top edge 14 protruding segment 12 likewise leaves clear a recess 19 over the width b of wall panel 10. The recesses are embodied as passages (see also figures 2 and 3). The corners where side edges 15, 16 and the rear side of rear part 12 connect to bottom edge 13 are chamfered. The height h and width b of the support structure are about 120 centimetres and 84 centimetres respectively. The thickness d1 of front part 11 and the thickness d2 of protruding segment 12 are each about 7 centimetres (see figure 2). Such a thickness makes it possible to allow at least the protruding segment 12 of support structure 1 to extend at least partially into a recess arranged in a wall part of a toilet space. Particularly in small toilet spaces the distance between the toilet bowl and an opposite wall part can here be increased, thereby increasing leg room.
[0023] Further situated in wall panel 10 is an opening 30 in which a water reservoir 31 is located. Water reservoir 31 is partially filled with water 32. A first opening 33a of a flushing channel 33 debouches in water reservoir 31 via an opening 31b arranged in bottom 31a of the water reservoir. Second opening 33b of flushing channel 33 extends to the front side 11a of front part 11 of wall panel 10, and is thereby accessible from the front side 11a. The first end 33a of flushing channel 33 is at a higher position than the second end 33b of flushing channel 33. Opening 30 can be covered on front side 11a of front part 11 by coupling an operating panel to coupling means 30a, the panel being omitted here for the sake of clarity. The operating panel is usually connected here to a valve (not shown), which valve is displaceable between a position closing and leaving clear the opening 33a of the flushing channel. An air outlet can also be connected to the flushing channel between first end 33a and second end 33b of flushing channel 33 for the purpose of optionally mechanical discharge of air via the toilet bowl. Air, in particular air which is unpleasant for people, is hereby discharged from the toilet space in simple manner.
[0024] Support structure 1 further comprises a discharge channel 35. A first opening 35a of discharge channel 35 extends to the front side 11a of front part 11 of wall panel 10. A second opening 35b of discharge channel 35 runs to the bottom edge 13 of wall panel 10. Situated in the immediate vicinity of second opening 35b of the discharge channel is an opening 36, the width of which is greater than the diameter of discharge channel 35, thereby simplifying coupling of discharge channel 35 to a further outlet, such as the sewer, by a user.
[0025] Support structure 1 also comprises four fixing means embodied as bushes 41 arranged in through-openings 40 and manufactured from metal for the purpose of fixing support structure 1 to a wall using a fixing element (not shown). Through-openings 40 extend substantially perpendicularly of front side 11a of wall panel 10. Because openings 40 are situated at a relatively great mutual distance, i.e. close to edges 13, 14, 15, 16, high loads can be absorbed by the fixing means, whereby a strong fixing of support structure 1 to a wall can be obtained. For mechanical coupling of a toilet bowl to support structure 1, support structure 1 comprises coupling means embodied as bushes 46 with internal screw thread arranged in openings 45 and manufactured from metal for the purpose of coupling the toilet bowl to support structure 1 using coupling elements (not shown) such as a threaded end or a bolt. A toilet bowl normally comprises two through-openings located at a pre-known distance. By positioning the toilet bowl for coupling such that the openings of the toilet bowl extend in line with bushes 46, the toilet bowl can be coupled to support structure 1 in simple manner using bolts or threaded ends by tightening bolts or threaded ends extending through the openings of the toilet bowl into the interior screw thread of bushes 46.
[0026] Height indications 50 are arranged on front side 11a of front part 11 close to side edges 15, 16 at 1 metre from bottom edge 13 of wall panel 10. During the placing of support structure 1 a user can hereby easily determine the distance of coupling means 46 from the ground surface and thereby the distance (i.e. the height) of the toilet bowl from the ground surface.
[0027] Situated in side edges 15, 16 are handgrips 51 which are embodied as recesses (see also figure 3) and which extend from the rear side of front part 11 and up to a known distance from front part 11. These handgrips 51 can advantageously be used by one or more users to grip and lift support structure 1. Because handgrips 51 extend up to a known distance from front side 11a of front part 11, front side 11a is not interrupted by these recesses, whereby finishing of support structure 1 is not impeded thereby.
[0028] Edges 13, 14, 15, 16 are provided with a metal strengthening strip 55 (shown hatched), thereby guaranteeing the shape of wall panel 10, even in the case that shock loads, which can for instance occur through knocks during placing of the support structure, are transmitted in metal strip 55.
[0029] Figure 2 shows a highly schematic top view of support structure 1 of figure 1. Situated behind the front part 11 with a thickness d1 is the protruding segment 12 with a thickness d2, this leaving clear passages 17, 18 embodied as recesses close to side edges 15, 16.
[0030] Figure 3 shows a schematic perspective rear view of support structure 1 of figure 1. Close to the side edges the protruding segment 12 leaves recesses 17, 18 clear over the height h of wall panel 10. Protruding segment 12 also leaves a recess 19 clear over the width b2 of protruding segment 12. Coupling means 60, to which a water supply (not shown) can be coupled, are also visible from the rear. Coupling means 60 are connected to a channel (not shown) which debouches in water reservoir 31.
[0031] Figure 4 shows a toilet space 100 in which support structure 1 of figure 1 is placed. The rear side of support structure 1 here lies against a rear wall 110 of toilet space 100. The width b of support structure 1 roughly corresponds to the width of the toilet space. On the left-hand side of toilet space 100 a standpipe 120 extending in vertical direction is placed against the rear wall. This standpipe 120 is received in passage 17. The side walls 130 of toilet space 100 are rounded on the underside. The rounded portions 131 are received in the space obtained by chamfering bottom edge 13. Bottom edge 13 of support structure 1 hereby coincides with ground surface 140 of toilet space 100.
[0033] After a water supply (not shown) and a discharge connected to the sewer have been coupled to support structure 1, support structure 1 is placed against rear wall 110 and held at the desired height, for instance by supporting support structure 1 on adapter means (not shown). Using drilling means holes are then drilled in rear wall 110 in line with through-openings 40. Bolts 42 are placed through openings 40 (which are provided with metal bushes 41) and tightened in the drilled holes. Bolt heads 42a here lie countersunk in openings 11b arranged on front side 11a of front part 11 of wall panel 10.
1. Support structure for a toilet bowl, comprising:
- a wall panel in which are integrated a water reservoir, a flushing channel connected to the water reservoir and a discharge channel, which are each accessible from an outer side of the wall panel and which flushing channel and discharge channel can be connected on a front side of the wall panel to a toilet bowl to be connected to the support structure;
wherein the wall panel is substantially flat on the front side and the support structure is 56 to 120 centimetres wide, preferably 70 to 110 centimetres, and more preferably 80 to 98 centimetres.2. Support structure as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the support structure is provided on the rear side with a protruding segment, which
protruding segment leaves clear a recessed passage along the whole length of the rear
side of the wall panel.
3. Support structure as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the protruding segment leaves clear two passages situated on opposite sides of the
rear side of the wall panel and extending over the full length.
4. Support structure as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the protruding segment leaves clear a recessed passage over the full width of the
rear side of the wall panel.
5. Support structure as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the passage extending in the width is situated at the top of the rear side.
6. Support structure as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the support structure comprises fixing means for connecting the support structure
to a wall of a toilet space.
7. Support structure as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the support structure comprises toilet bowl coupling means for coupling a toilet
bowl mechanically to the wall panel on the front side of the wall panel in co-action
with counter-coupling means.
8. Support structure as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the discharge channel runs from the front side to the underside of the wall panel.
9. Support structure as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the corners where the sides of the wall panel connect to each other are chamfered
at least on the underside of the wall panel.
10. Support structure as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that at least one corner where sides of the wall panel connect to each other is provided
with a strengthening strip.
11. Support structure as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the wall panel is provided with a height indication for indicating the desired build-in
height of the wall panel.
12. Support structure as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the wall panel comprises handgrips.
13. Method for fixing a support structure for a toilet bowl as claimed in any of the foregoing
claims in a toilet space, comprising of:
- providing a water supply and an outlet connected to the sewer;
- coupling the water supply to a water reservoir located in a support structure;
- coupling the outlet to a first outer end of a discharge channel located in the support structure; and
- fixing the support structure against a wall of the toilet space.
14. Method as claimed in claim 13, characterized in that an object situated in the vicinity of the wall is received in a passage recessed
into the rear side of the wall panel.
15. Method as claimed in claim 13 or 14, characterized in that during fixing of the support structure fixing means are coupled to the wall part
of the toilet space lying behind through at least two openings extending in line with
through-openings in the wall panel.