COMMODE STRUCTURE
United States Patent 3591868
A substantially all-plastic commode of simplified construction suitable for boats, homes or commercial installations. The commode is wall-mounted with a very compact pressure flushing tank recessed into the wall behind a shallow housing member. A minimum number of components are employed.
US Patent References:
Toilet bowl
Hagne et al. - May 1934 - 1957831
Built-in evacuator
Brain et al. - October 1937 - 2097174
Plumbing system
Groeniger - February 1944 - 2340323
Method of making pressed metal water closets
Stanitz - November 1946 - 2411301
Fixture casing
Sherwood - November 1953 - 2658201
Toilet bowl
Hagne et al. - May 1934 - 1957831
Built-in evacuator
Brain et al. - October 1937 - 2097174
Plumbing system
Groeniger - February 1944 - 2340323
Method of making pressed metal water closets
Stanitz - November 1946 - 2411301
Fixture casing
Sherwood - November 1953 - 2658201
Application Number:
04/830713
Publication Date:
07/13/1971
Filing Date:
06/05/1969
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Primary Class:
Other Classes:
4/344, 4/354, 4/420
International Classes:
E03D11/02; E03D11/18; E03D11/02
Field of Search:
4/1,3,10,69,26
US Patent References:
Primary Examiner:
Geiger, Laverne D.
Assistant Examiner:
Artis, Henry K.
Claims:
I claim
1. A substantially all-plastic commode comprising sealed pressurized flush tank means recessed into an adjacent wall structure, a plastic mounting panel secured to the exterior of the wall structure in covering relationship to the flush tank means and concealing the latter, and a plastic toilet supported bodily upon the plastic mounting panel and projecting forwardly thereof and having a bowl portion, the bowl portion of the toilet having a rear soil pipe connection and said plastic mounting panel having an opening for said connection, said bowl also adapted for connection with the sealed pressurized flush tank means through the same opening in said panel.
2. The structure of claim 1, and said toilet comprising an interior plastic bowl directly connected to the flush tank means and soil pipe, a separately formed outer shell for the bowl underlying the bowl and substantially enclosing it and having an open rear end and an open top, the open rear end of the shell joined to the front face of the mounting panel and the open top of the shell extending near the top margin of the bowl, a covering member secured integrally to the mounting panel and projecting forwardly thereof and conforming substantially in shape to the top rim of the bowl and covering the top rim and substantially abutting the top edge of said shell and joined thereto.
3. The structure of claim 2, and a plastic seat cover assembly hinged to said covering member and adapted to be raised and lowered.
1. A substantially all-plastic commode comprising sealed pressurized flush tank means recessed into an adjacent wall structure, a plastic mounting panel secured to the exterior of the wall structure in covering relationship to the flush tank means and concealing the latter, and a plastic toilet supported bodily upon the plastic mounting panel and projecting forwardly thereof and having a bowl portion, the bowl portion of the toilet having a rear soil pipe connection and said plastic mounting panel having an opening for said connection, said bowl also adapted for connection with the sealed pressurized flush tank means through the same opening in said panel.
2. The structure of claim 1, and said toilet comprising an interior plastic bowl directly connected to the flush tank means and soil pipe, a separately formed outer shell for the bowl underlying the bowl and substantially enclosing it and having an open rear end and an open top, the open rear end of the shell joined to the front face of the mounting panel and the open top of the shell extending near the top margin of the bowl, a covering member secured integrally to the mounting panel and projecting forwardly thereof and conforming substantially in shape to the top rim of the bowl and covering the top rim and substantially abutting the top edge of said shell and joined thereto.
3. The structure of claim 2, and a plastic seat cover assembly hinged to said covering member and adapted to be raised and lowered.
Description:
The objective of the invention is to satisfy the need for an inexpensive sturdy and relatively maintenance-free commode for use instead of traditional fixtures which are highly expensive and usually bulky and require frequent maintenance.
The present commode structure utilizes a simplified sealed pressure flushing unit disclosed and claimed in copending application U.S. Pat. Ser. No. 825,786, filed May 19, 1969.
The commode structure embodies only three major molded plastic components in addition to the plastic sealed pressure flushing tank and is economical to manufacture, can be produced in a variety of decorator colors and is extremely neat in appearance and meets all sanitary requirements.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING FIGURES
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fully assembled commode embodying the invention.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged central vertical section taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a fragmentary rear elevational view taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the major components of the commode.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts, the structure comprises a mounting panel 10 which forms the primary support for the commode when attached to a wall. The mounting panel 10 is essentially rectangular with a flared continuous rearwardly projecting marginal flange 11 directly abutting a wall 12 when the commode is installed, as shown. The marginal flange 11 imparts to the panel 10 the ability to form a shallow housing forwardly of the wall 12 for the partial enclosure of a compact upright cylindrical pressure flush tank 13, the details of which are disclosed in said copending application and are not important to this application which is concerned solely with the construction and mounting of the commode.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, the mounting panel or housing 10 carries a forwardly extending shell 14 integrated therewith during the manufacturing process but consisting initially of a lower shell component 15 to surround the commode bowl 16, yet to be described, and an upper cover section 17 shown permanently assembled with the lower shell portion 15 in FIG. 1. In some cases, the entire shell 14 composed of the elements 15 and 17 may be initially molded as one part together with the panel or housing 10, rather than in two parts as shown in FIG. 4 having a parting line 18, FIG. 1.
In any event, after assembling of the commode by known techniques, the mounting panel 10 with the outer shell 14 integrated therewith forms the support for the bowl 16 and associated flush tank 13 and related parts. The panel 10 is securely attached to wall studs 19, FIG. 2, by at least four corner bolts 20, as indicated.
Continuing to refer to the drawings, the commode bowl 16 is fitted inside of the shell 14 having components 15 and 17 as described and the shell portion 15 conforms to the shape of the bowl 16 contacting and supporting the same over a large surface area, as shown in FIG. 2. The shell cover portion 17 has an internal depending flange 21 defining an opening leading into the bowl 16 at the top thereof and this flange is disposed inwardly of a hollow flushing ring 22 provided around the top of the bowl 16 and communicating with a water intake manifold extension 23 on the rear of the bowl and being integral therewith. All of the components are formed of plastic as previously mentioned to facilitate molding and sealing and assembling by known techniques.
The bowl 16 is further provided at its rear side and beneath the intake manifold 23 with the usual trap 24 and outlet pipe extension 25, coupled to a soil pipe elbow 26 rising through the wall structure and being sealed by a suitable ring seal 27 or the like. The coupling means for the elbow 26 and extension 25 are indicated at 28 in the drawings. This coupling means also stabilizes and strengthens the assembly but the weight on the commode is borne primarily by the panel or housing 10 which extends entirely to the floor 29 and reacts thereagainst at 30, FIG. 2.
As fully disclosed in said copending application, the plastic flush tank 13 is coupled with the manifold 23 and lies immediately rearwardly of the shallow housing 10 and is partly recessed into the wall 12. A water inlet pipe 31 is coupled into the rear side of the tank 13 and the tank also has a valved overflow tube 32 having an extension 33 leading into the bowl 16, FIG. 2. The flushing tank contains a floatable ball valve element 34 adapted to be unseated by the rotation of a sleeve valve means 35 under control of a bellcrank 36, connected with a spring 37 and an operating cable 38, all fully described in the copending application. The sleeve valve means 35 is turned to unseat the ball 34 and flush the commode by means of an operating handle 39 on the front of the housing 10 having a crank 40 on the inner face of the housing secured to the cable 38. The spring 37 biases the sleeve valve means 35 to a nonflushing position where the ball element 34 is seated as shown in FIG. 2 and blocks the flow of water into the commode bowl.
The plastic shell cover 17 has apertured lugs 41 molded thereon to interfit with hinge knuckles 42 of a plastic commode seat 43 having a hinged lid or cover 44. A suitable pintle or shaft 45 engages through the knuckles 41 and 42 conventionally.
It should now be apparent that a lightweight, economical and sturdy wall-mounted commode structure is provided, formed substantially entirely of plastic parts or plastic reinforced with fiberglass or the like, if preferred. The structure is extremely compact in that the slender pressure flushing tank 13 requires little room and may be concealed by the shallow housing 10 which also serves as a sturdy wall suspended support for the commode, together with the outer shell 14, as best shown in FIG. 2. The structure is ideally suited for boats and homes particularly of the more economical type but is in no sense limited to these applications. A particularly unique feature is the formation of the supporting and enclosing unit consisting of the panel 10 and shell components 15 and 17 which surround and enclose and lend added support to the bowl 16.
The present commode structure utilizes a simplified sealed pressure flushing unit disclosed and claimed in copending application U.S. Pat. Ser. No. 825,786, filed May 19, 1969.
The commode structure embodies only three major molded plastic components in addition to the plastic sealed pressure flushing tank and is economical to manufacture, can be produced in a variety of decorator colors and is extremely neat in appearance and meets all sanitary requirements.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING FIGURES
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fully assembled commode embodying the invention.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged central vertical section taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a fragmentary rear elevational view taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the major components of the commode.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts, the structure comprises a mounting panel 10 which forms the primary support for the commode when attached to a wall. The mounting panel 10 is essentially rectangular with a flared continuous rearwardly projecting marginal flange 11 directly abutting a wall 12 when the commode is installed, as shown. The marginal flange 11 imparts to the panel 10 the ability to form a shallow housing forwardly of the wall 12 for the partial enclosure of a compact upright cylindrical pressure flush tank 13, the details of which are disclosed in said copending application and are not important to this application which is concerned solely with the construction and mounting of the commode.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, the mounting panel or housing 10 carries a forwardly extending shell 14 integrated therewith during the manufacturing process but consisting initially of a lower shell component 15 to surround the commode bowl 16, yet to be described, and an upper cover section 17 shown permanently assembled with the lower shell portion 15 in FIG. 1. In some cases, the entire shell 14 composed of the elements 15 and 17 may be initially molded as one part together with the panel or housing 10, rather than in two parts as shown in FIG. 4 having a parting line 18, FIG. 1.
In any event, after assembling of the commode by known techniques, the mounting panel 10 with the outer shell 14 integrated therewith forms the support for the bowl 16 and associated flush tank 13 and related parts. The panel 10 is securely attached to wall studs 19, FIG. 2, by at least four corner bolts 20, as indicated.
Continuing to refer to the drawings, the commode bowl 16 is fitted inside of the shell 14 having components 15 and 17 as described and the shell portion 15 conforms to the shape of the bowl 16 contacting and supporting the same over a large surface area, as shown in FIG. 2. The shell cover portion 17 has an internal depending flange 21 defining an opening leading into the bowl 16 at the top thereof and this flange is disposed inwardly of a hollow flushing ring 22 provided around the top of the bowl 16 and communicating with a water intake manifold extension 23 on the rear of the bowl and being integral therewith. All of the components are formed of plastic as previously mentioned to facilitate molding and sealing and assembling by known techniques.
The bowl 16 is further provided at its rear side and beneath the intake manifold 23 with the usual trap 24 and outlet pipe extension 25, coupled to a soil pipe elbow 26 rising through the wall structure and being sealed by a suitable ring seal 27 or the like. The coupling means for the elbow 26 and extension 25 are indicated at 28 in the drawings. This coupling means also stabilizes and strengthens the assembly but the weight on the commode is borne primarily by the panel or housing 10 which extends entirely to the floor 29 and reacts thereagainst at 30, FIG. 2.
As fully disclosed in said copending application, the plastic flush tank 13 is coupled with the manifold 23 and lies immediately rearwardly of the shallow housing 10 and is partly recessed into the wall 12. A water inlet pipe 31 is coupled into the rear side of the tank 13 and the tank also has a valved overflow tube 32 having an extension 33 leading into the bowl 16, FIG. 2. The flushing tank contains a floatable ball valve element 34 adapted to be unseated by the rotation of a sleeve valve means 35 under control of a bellcrank 36, connected with a spring 37 and an operating cable 38, all fully described in the copending application. The sleeve valve means 35 is turned to unseat the ball 34 and flush the commode by means of an operating handle 39 on the front of the housing 10 having a crank 40 on the inner face of the housing secured to the cable 38. The spring 37 biases the sleeve valve means 35 to a nonflushing position where the ball element 34 is seated as shown in FIG. 2 and blocks the flow of water into the commode bowl.
The plastic shell cover 17 has apertured lugs 41 molded thereon to interfit with hinge knuckles 42 of a plastic commode seat 43 having a hinged lid or cover 44. A suitable pintle or shaft 45 engages through the knuckles 41 and 42 conventionally.
It should now be apparent that a lightweight, economical and sturdy wall-mounted commode structure is provided, formed substantially entirely of plastic parts or plastic reinforced with fiberglass or the like, if preferred. The structure is extremely compact in that the slender pressure flushing tank 13 requires little room and may be concealed by the shallow housing 10 which also serves as a sturdy wall suspended support for the commode, together with the outer shell 14, as best shown in FIG. 2. The structure is ideally suited for boats and homes particularly of the more economical type but is in no sense limited to these applications. A particularly unique feature is the formation of the supporting and enclosing unit consisting of the panel 10 and shell components 15 and 17 which surround and enclose and lend added support to the bowl 16.