This invention relates to a water closet and is more particularly concerned with the flushing arrangement incorporated in the water closet.

In most water closets, a cistern is provided which delivers water through to a flushing rim integrally formed with the w.c. basin. Such arrangements are very well known but because the basin is formed with a flushing rim which is required to carry water the basin tends to be more difficult to manufacture than would otherwise be the case and such a design, in any case, tends to incur obvious hygiene disadvantages in use. Additionally, it is believed that the delivery of water from the flushing rim of the basin is not necessarily the most effective, efficient or controlled way of flushing.

It is an object of the present invention to at least alleviate one or more of the aforementioned, or other, disadvantages associated with water closets.

According to the present invention there is provided a water closet comprising a basin, seat and cistern, the arrangement being such that, in use, water from the cistern can be directed through the seat and into the basin to flush the basin, and in which the seat is hinged to the basin and/or cistern, the water closet being adapted so that, on flushing, water from the cistern is directed into the basin when the seat is in a raised position.

It is to be understood that the term "flushing the basin" as used throughout the specification is intended to mean the delivery of a sufficient flow of water to the basin to substantially dispose of any waste contents therein.

The water from the cistern is directed into the basin when the seat is in a raised position and any suitable deflector arrangement may be provided to ensure that any flushing water is always directed into the basin. The deflector arrangement may comprise a suitably shaped (e.g. downwardly curved) water flow entrance duct at the rear of the basin.

When the seat is in a lowered position it may be connected in direct flow communication with the cistern and/or basin depending on design, preferably, with a water tight seal being provided between the seat and the cistern/basin (e.g. at said entrance duct where provided). The seal may be mounted on the seat. On raising the seat said flow connection between the seat and cistern/basin may be disconnected or blocked until the seat is lowered again.

The seat will usually comprise or include a seat ring of hollow moulded form and water from the cistern will usually be directed all or most of the way around the interior of the seat ring. The seat will usually be provided with appropriate inlet and outlet water apertures to enable a precisely controlled delivery of the water to the w.c. basin.

Preferably, the seat ring comprises two separable parts that may or may not be hinged together, such that on separation of said parts access can be gained to the internal walling defining the hollow seat, in order to allow thorough cleaning. Advantageously, said two separable parts may snap or force (friction) fit together to define the water outlet means along a junction line of the two separable parts thus allowing thorough cleaning of said outlet means on separation of the parts.

Alternatively, the seat ring may be integrally

moulded without separable parts.

The supply of flushing water to the seat may be directly from the cistern or flush valve or may be by way 5 of delivery from the basin (usually from the rear of the basin) from the cistern or flush valve.

It is believed that the basin itself can be manufactured in a simpler manner than in prior art 0 arrangements since there may no longer be any requirement for the basin itself to include a flushing rim. Even less design constraints are imposed on the basin where water is to be supplied directly from the cistern or flush valve to the seat rather than also passing through 5 the basin to the seat.

It may be possible for the cistern and basin to be standard components of a generally known type with the seat ring itself being adapted to receive flushing water 0 from the basin instead of or as well as flushing water being supplied to the flushing rim of the basin.

Therefore, further according to the present invention there is provided a seat for hinge mounting on ^r a w.c. basin and/or cistern, said seat having means to receive flushing water in use, when in a lowered position, and means to direct the water into said basin to flush the basin, said seat being provided with one or more of the following:- 0

1. A water flow entrance to the seat allowing, in use, water flow from a cistern to the seat, when the seat is in a lowered position, but not allowing such water flow when the seat is in a raised position. 5 2. sealing means mounted on a water flow entrance to the seat, which sealing means in use provides a water tight seal between a cistern or basin of the

w.c, when the seat is in a lowered position; 3. two separable parts, preferably hinged together, which parts can be brought together to define a flushing rim on the seat.

Further according to the present invention there is provided a seat according to the immediately preceding paragraph when coupled to a w.c. basin and/or cistern.

Disabling means may be provided to prevent flushing when the seat is in a raised position or the water closet is at least adapted so that the water from the cistern is directed into the basin when the seat is in the raised position.

The disabling means may comprise an interrupter device to either lock or disconnect or otherwise disable the flushing mechanism. The interrupter device may comprise a link operated to disable the flushing mechanism, by a rear part of the seat contacting the link as the seat is raised.

The seat may be arranged to receive water from a w.c. basin having a delivery aperture at the rear thereof and, preferably, an inlet seal is arranged between the aperture and seat ring. The connection between the delivery aperture and the seat may be of any convenient type and could comprise an arrangement of sliding tubes or flexible, expansible tubing. The water flow connection between the seat and the basin may be disconnected or disabled when the seat is raised. In such a case water may flow from the delivery aperture at the rear of the basin directly into the basin (instead of around the seat ring) on flushing. Additionally, or alternatively raising the seat may disable the flushing mechanism. Additionally or alternatively, the seat may be arranged to receive water directly from a cistern and

the connection between the seat and cistern may be by any convenient means such as by sliding tubes or by a flexible, expansible tubing. Once again, the seat ring itself need not necessarily be a complete closed ring shape and delivery of water to the seat ring need not necessarily be by one delivery aperture.

In one embodiment of the present invention the seat comprises or include a generally hollow U-shaped portion with flushing water being delivered directly from the cistern to each free end of the U-shape. The seat may be hinged to the cistern by a pivot connection having rotatable seals. Supply piping from the cistern to the seat may double as a hinge mounting for the seat.

Still further according to the present invention there is provided in a water closet, a flushing rim to deliver flushing water to a w.c. basin to flush the basin, said flushing rim being formed separately from the w.c. basin and said flushing rim:-

1. being formed as part of seat ring including two separable parts defining said rim, and/or

2. being formed separately to the seat ring.

Embodiments of a water closet and seat in accordance with the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the following simplified drawings in which;

FIGURE 1 shows component parts of the first embodiment of a water closet in accordance with the present invention, said component parts comprising a seat ring disposed above a w.c. basin;

FIGURE 2 shows a sectional side view of the arrangement shown in FIGURE 1, with the seat ring in the closed position on the w.c. basin and also showing a seat

cover extending over the seat ring;

FIGURES 3A to 3D show alternative connection arrangements which could be employed to connect the seat ring in sealed manner to the w.c. basin or cistern;

FIGURE 4 shows the second embodiment of a water closet in accordance with the present invention;

FIGURE 5 shows a detail of the seat shown in FIGURE 4 with a modified water delivery system;

FIGURES 6 and 7, 8 and 9, and 10 show further embodiments of a water closet in accordance with the present invention, and

FIGURES 14 and 15 and 16 and 17 show further embodiments of seats in accordance with the present invention.

FIGURES 1,2,3A to 3D show various component parts of a water closet (cistern omitted). FIGURE 1 shows a water closet basin 1 and a seat 2 (the seat cover 2a of the seat 2 is omitted in FIGURE 1 but shown in FIGURE 2). The seat 2 is shown positioned above the basin 1 for ease of illustration. In use a cistern (not shown) is positioned on ledge 3 at the rear of the basin 1.

The assembly of the seat 2 to the basin 1 should be clear from FIGURE 2. The basin 1 itself is not formed with the usual integral flushing rim around the upper surface thereof but rather the water closet has a separate flushing rim component in the form of the seat 2 and more particularly comprises the seat ring 2 itself which is hollow (see FIGURE 2). Thus, as depicted by the arrows in FIGURE 2, on flushing of the water closet, water enters the rear of the basin 1 through entrance

aperture 4 from the cistern into the chambers or ducts C, and out through delivery aperture 5 into the hollow seat ring 2. In this example, there is a single inlet aperture E to the seat ring (which is of closed ring form) so that the water entering through aperture E can travel in a complete loop before exiting the seat ring via various outlet apertures (not shown) provided on the underneath surface of the ring in order to flush the basin 1 in a precisely controlled manner. An inlet seal I is provided in between the seat (more particularly the seat ring) and the basin 1 at the delivery aperture 5 as shown in FIGURE 2. Advantageously, this enables the basin 1 to be manufactured more easily without necessitating the provision of an integral flushing rim on the basin. This allows the basin to be produced more cost effectively.

FIGURES 3A to 3D show a detail of possible alternative connection arrangements for connecting the seat ring to the basin/cistern and should generally be self-explanatory. FIGURE 3A shows a straightforward connection between a pipe from the rear of the basin/cistern to the seat ring 2 being sealed in water tight manner by a seal II. FIGURE 3B shows a flexible, expansible tube coupling T extending from the rear of the seat ring 2 to the cistern and FIGURE 3C shows a connection coupling comprising an inner tube from the cistern extending within and being slidable within an outer tube extending from the seat ring with a water tight seal 12 being provided on the end of the outer tube. FIGURE 3D shows another alternative arrangement in which water is fed from the cistern directly into the seat ring and the seal 13 being provided.

As shown, disabling means is provided to prevent flushing whilst the seat is in the raised position and FIGURES 3A and 3B show diagrammatically how an

interrupter link Z could be incorporated between the seat and cistern to operate a valve to either lock or disconnect or otherwise disable the flushing mechanism (not shown). In practice, however, there will usually be a connection between the seat inlet and the water supply which is broken when the seat is raised and a suitable deflector arrangement could be included to deflect flushing water into the basin should the water closet be flushed with the seat in a raised position.

A second embodiment of a water closet W is shown in FIGURE 4 and overall the design of the cistern, basin and seat is of a more integrated appearance and the water closet is of a type known in the art as a close coupled water closet. Once again, the basin 101 has no internal flushing rim and a separate flushing rim component is provided in the form of the seat ring 102 (top cover of the seat omitted for ease of illustration). The seat ring 102 is hollow and is generally of 'U' shape. In this example the cistern 104 itself is shaped to bridge the gap at the rear of the seat ring 102 (i.e. to complete the ring) and flushing water can be fed in the direction of the arrows Y into each limb of the 'U' shape in order to feed the flushing water around the seat ring 102 and into the basin 101 via outlet apertures on the underneath of the seat (the outlet apertures are not shown). As shown in FIGURE 4, the connections 103 between the seat ring 102 and the cistern 104 comprise pivots forming a pivot axis 105 for the seat ring and these pivots have rotating seals (not shown).

FIGURE 5 shows an alternative water delivery system to the seat ring including flexible connection tubes T' and once again it is believed that this illustration is self-explanatory.

In each case the seats are hollow mouldings having

appropriate inlet and outlet apertures to enable precise controlled delivery of flushing water to the w.c. basin. Water may be delivered from the cistern via the basin or may be delivered directly to the seat ring.

FIGURES 6 and 7 show schematically a view of a water closet basin 1' , which is similar to the basin 1 shown in FIGURE 1 except that two spaced water delivery apertures 5' are provided rather than the single delivery aperture 5 as in FIGURE 1. The seat ring 2' is not shown in FIGURE 6 but is shown in section in FIGURE 7. The seat ring 2' is made up of two parts (as should be evident from FIGURE 7) which are connected together by any suitable means, for example by a force-fit or snap-fit or by being glued or welded together. The two parts 2'a and 2'b are brought together to define an annular channel X which, in use, will be in flow communication with the delivery apertures 5' . Thus water delivered from the apertures 5' will enter the channel X and will spray out along the path of the channel as it travels around the seat ring 2' through the continuous aperture XI. The shaping of the channel X and aperture XI will be such as to direct the water at a suitable angle from the seat ring 2' against the inner wall of the w.c. basin 1' in a manner which should be evident from FIGURE 7. The precise form and configuration of the seat ring channel dimensions and channel apertured XI may be varied to suit; the channel X may not consist of a complete ring and could instead comprise two main channel portions and the aperture from the channels may be intermittent or a series of apertures rather than a single continuous aperture.

FIGURES 8 and 9 show an arrangement in which a separate flushing component F or F' (see FIGURE 9) is utilised on a w.c. basin with a conventional seat ring and cover 200. The separate flushing component F,F* may

comprise a moulded rim which can be clipped in position onto the w.c. basin B or B' and which can be removed from same for easy cleaning. The flushing component F,F' is shown with a single water inlet aperture 201 but could equally be provided with two spaced water inlets if preferred. In any event, the design allows a conventional seat ring and cover to be utilised and yet the hygiene of the w.c. basin is improved by the inclusion of the removable flushing component F or F' . As shown in FIGURE 9, the left-hand view shows the flushing component F clipped onto the basin B whilst the flushing component F' shown in the right-hand view allows the flushing component to seat in a rebate formed in the top of the basin B' . In either case the expensive process involved in forming the basin with a flushing rim is avoided and this flushing rim is replaced by the separately formed and more hygienic flushing component which may be clipped onto the basin.

FIGURE 10 shows a water closet 300, the general form of which should be self explanatory in view of the description of previous embodiments. Water from the cistern is introduced directly (see arrow 301) into the hollow seat ring 302, via delivery pipe D from syphon S (or other valve - not illustrated) external to cistern 304, when the seat is in the lowered position as shown and when the water closet 300 is flushed. Thus, this obviates any need for water to be introduced into the basin 305 itself and then through an orifice from the basin into the seat ring 302. Thus, on flushing, water introduced into the seat ring 302 is expelled from the seat ring (arrows 303) to flush the basin 305. When the seat ring 302 is raised the water flow connection at the rear of the seat 302a to the bottom of the cistern 304 is broken, so that on flushing, water is directed downwards straight into the basin 305 to flush the basin, without entering the seat ring. A decorative cover 306

(preferably ceramic) is introduced over the cistern 304 and pipe D.

Additionally, a bactericide could be incorporated into the plastics material used for the seat. Hinge 307 as shown is a common hinge which could be part of delivery pipe D moulding with possible additional fixing to the w.c. basin 305.

The Applicant believes that embodiments of the present invention which still allow the basin to be flushed when the seat is in a raised position to be the most advantageous rather than employing a disabling means to prevent the basin from being flushed when the seat is in a raised position. This is partly because a person unfamiliar with the flushing mechanism may misinterpret the action and believe the flushing mechanism to be broken if the water closet cannot be flushed at all with the seat in the raised position.

FIGURES 11 to 13 relate to a further embodiment of the present invention, FIGURE 11 showing a sectional side view of a seat 400 mounted on a basin 401 (only part of the basin is illustrated). FIGURE 13 shows an inverted plan view of the seat 400 and FIGURE 12 shows a detail of the rear of the basin.

FIGURES 11 to 13 represent the Applicants' preferred embodiment at present and the embodiment which is most likely to be the production version of the item.

Most importantly, the seat ring 400 consists of two separately moulded parts 402 and 403, said parts being hinged together about axis X-X. The seat moulding 402 includes the radially inner wall 402a and bottom 402b of flushing rim or channel R. Forming the seat ring 400 by the two basic annular parts 402,403 releasably fitting

together to form flushing rim R allows the flushing rim itself to be cleaned easily. Part 402 is retained to Part 403 by a suitable clip arrangement. In this instance, the two parts 402,403 are retained in the position as shown in FIGURE 11 by detents or pips 405 (see FIGURE 13) spaced around the lower periphery of the seat part 402, said detents 405 also acting to define the correct spacing for the flushing water outlet means 406 from the seat. As can be seen in FIGURE 13, provision is made for flushing water to exit from the aperture means 406 (onto the sides of the w.c. basin) all around the seat itself with larger outlet apertures 406a and 406b (for increased jet action) being provided towards the front of the seat. Detents 405 engage the inner boundary wall 403a of said part 403 as shown.

When it is desired to clean the seat 400 tabs 403b can be moved relative to part 402, part 403b being swung about axis X-X relative to the part 402. In this manner access to the internal walls of the flushing rim defined by the co-operation of seat parts 402,403 can be gained for cleaing. Additionally, and most importantly, since the flushing water outlet means is defined solely along the junction of the two separable parts 402 and 403 cleaning is more efficient and the outlet means can be more effectively cleaned than if defined solely on one of the parts 402,403. Defining the outlet means between the junction of the two parts allows any "clogging" of the outlet means to be rapidly cleaned on separation of the parts 402,403. Part/s 402,403 could be designed to clip on and off hinge X-X.

Addi--ionally, the rear of the basin 401 has been specially adapted in a manner to deliver water via arrow 407 into the flushing rim R when the seat is lowered and to direct the water flow downwardly into the basin 401 when the seat 400 is raised. As can be seen more

particularly in FIGURE 11 the flow duct 401A is curved downwardly (and glazed to resist bacteria formulation) rather than merely being a horizontal passageway, thus defining a lower curved ledge 401B. The shape of the entrance duct 401A is advantageous since it directs the water entering the basin (with the seat in a raised position) downwardly and on viewing the rear of the basin (see FIGURE 12) it is more aesthetically pleasing since the curved edge 401B is seen rather than an "empty" hole. Thus the purpose of the downwardly curved duct 401A is twofold in that it acts to direct the water downward into the basin when required as well as being more aesthetic when the seat is in a raised position.

Suitable clips/ribs may be provided within the flushing rim R for internal attachment of one or more disinfectant blocks (not shown).

FIGURES .14 and 15 show an alternative arrangement for a two-part seat including clipped or snapped together parts 501 and 502, for easy cleaning. FIGURE 15 shows an inverted half-plan view of the seat with water outlet aperture means in the form of spray holes 503 and front spray slots 504 (only one shown in the FIGURE) . Although parts 501 and 502 come together to form a flushing rim R' in a manner which should be self-explanatory, on separation of part 502 from part 501 for cleaning, some difficultly may possibly be encountered in cleaning the outlet aperture means 503,504 itself since there is no split along the outlet aperture means itself unlike in the arrangement shown in FIGURES 11 to 13.

FIGURES 16,17 show views of a seat 600 similar in format to that shown in FIGURES 14 and 15 except for the outlet aperture means 601,602 which may avoid an aperture means clogging problem to some extent, which problem could be encountered with the arrangement shown in

FIGURES 14 and 15.

It is also possible that the parts 501 and 502 or the parts 603,604 that snap together may be formed integrally rather than separate. However the separate formation allows for easier cleaning.

It is to be understood that the scope of the present invention is not to be unduly limited by the particular choice of terminology and that a specific term may be replaced or supplemented by any equivalent or generic term where sensible. Further it is to be understood that individual features, method or functions related to the water closet or seat or basin or cistern might be individually patentably inventive.

Therefore, further according to the present invention there is provided a water closet including a hinged seat and a basin, said seat incorporating a flushing rim which can be in flow communication with water from a cistern of the water closet whilst it is in a lowered position to flush the basin, flow of water to the flushing rim being disabled when the seat is in a raised position and the flow of water being directed into the basin when the water closet is flushed with the seat in a raised position.

Still further according to the present invention there is provided a method of flushing a water closet basin in which water is directed into a hinged seat or flushing component separately formed from the basin with the seat in a lowered position, said water being directed from the seat or flushing component into the basin to flush the basin, said basin being flushable with the seat in a lowered or raised position.