EP0444106B1 - System of armrests for toilets - Google Patents

Abstract

System of armrests for mounting on a lavatory bowl, characterized in that it comprises two armrests (10, 11) connected together by a rigid tube (3) forming in one piece the rear uprights (7, 8) for said armrests, oriented perpendicular to a central rectilinear part (4) where said tube displays fastening brackets (5) in the rear of said lavatory bowl, and, for each armrest, at least one front support (12, 13) which displays an upper extremity integral to said tube, opposite to a lower part forming the support on said bowl.

Description

The present invention relates to a new armrest system intended to equip toilet bowls. Such a system essentially aims to improve the comfort of the users of the bowls thus equipped, by allowing in particular that the disabled, in a seated position, find it as in an armchair, or that people suffering for example from the back can sit or stand up by leaning on side armrests safely.

Documents of the prior art have already described systems which can be adapted to WC bowls to perform this function of an armchair, but in such an imperfect manner that it seems that none of the solutions proposed has been followed by industrial production. , despite their seniority. Twenty years ago, it was proposed to use either armrests mounted tilting at the rear of the bowl and movable with a folding seat, to which they were fixed at the front, or armrests resting individually on the bowl in a fixed position.

A first improvement was made more recently by French patent n ° 86 04397 (publication n ° 2 596 265), which provides for connecting together two armrests resting laterally on the bowl by a fixing bar at the rear of it . However, this has not yet adequately resolved a stability problem already posed by previous solutions. Indeed, it has been observed that the chairs thus formed on the bowls equipped with such systems have too easily a tendency to deform when a user leans on the armrests: the vertical uprights which support the armrests on, the periphery of the bowl tilt outward and armrests move apart in one position cantilevered from the bowl. This lack of stability, which represents a significant inconvenience for the user, especially in the case of people with disabilities, also has the disadvantage of making the whole fragile, because in general, a support cantilever on the armrests are likely to exert on the armrest system itself as a whole, and on the other hand on the seat, mechanical forces which they do not resist, their construction not being designed for that.

The present invention therefore aims mainly to solve these difficulties through an appropriate design of the armrest system, while allowing a simple and inexpensive construction, as well as an easy assembly avoiding having to resort to a fixing on the bowl it -same, other than at the back of it.

To this end, it offers a system of armrests to be mounted on a toilet bowl, characterized in that it comprises two armrests connected together by a rigid tube forming in one piece rear uprights for said armrests, oriented perpendicularly to a rectilinear central part where said tube has fixing lugs at the rear of said bowl, and, for each armrest, at least one front upright which has an upper end secured to said tube, opposite a lower part forming a support said bowl.

In general, the armrests themselves are made of a flexible material, for example by an envelope containing padding, and they are fixed by a rigid bottom on two end lateral parts of the above tube which constitute armrest support sections.

• Le tube rigide est plié essentiellement en forme de "U" dont la base est constituée par ladite partie centrale, disposée horizontalement en travers du siège de la cuvette à l'arrière de celle-ci, et dont les côtés montent de part et d'autre de la cuvette, soit en direction verticale, soit en direction inclinée vers l'avant de la cuvette, soit encore, et de préférence, d'abord en direction verticale pour s'incliner ensuite et former ainsi lesdits montants postérieurs jusqu'à la position confortable des accoudoirs.
• Au-delà des montants postérieurs, ledit tube est cintré et prolongé pour se terminer de chaque côté de la cuvette par deux tronçons supports latéraux d'accoudoirs, de préférence orientés horizontalement et perpendiculairement à la partie centrale.
• Les pattes de fixation sont soudées latéralement sur le tube, vers l'avant de la cuvette, sensiblement au ras de l'arête inférieure du tube.
• A chaque patte de fixation est associé un joint qui se place sous la patte correspondante en se prolongeant sous le tube et qui présente en faces latérales des rebords de maintien encadrant la patte.
• La structure formée par le tube rigide est complétée par deux montants tubulaires verticaux qui n'ont pas à être aussi résistants et qui sont soudés en bout latéralement sous les parties latérales formant supports d'accoudoirs au voisinage des extrémités du tube, en position appropriée pour former lesdits montants antérieurs.
• La partie inférieure des montants antérieurs est orientée horizontalement de l''extérieur vers l'intérieur de la cuvette.
• Elle est aplatie sur la longueur formant support d'appui qui se place entre le pourtour de la cuvette et un siège abattant monté sur charnières à l'arrière de la cuvette.
• Elle est enveloppée sur cette longueur par un manchon de protection se logeant sous le siège abattant, dans l'intervalle ménagé par des tampons dont est équipé celui-ci de manière classique.
• Ladite partie inférieure forme en outre un creux de réception d'un rebord extérieur du siège abattant quand celui-ci, en position rabattue, recouvre le pourtour de la cuvette.
• Les charnières du siège abattant sont montées à l'arrière de la cuvette par des pattes à plat sur les pattes du système d'accoudoirs, par les mêmes vis ou boulons.

If we consider the rigid structure thus formed by the tube in the position it takes after mounting on a toilet bowl, we observe advantageously the following secondary characteristics, individually or in any feasible combination:

• The rigid tube is bent essentially in the shape of a "U", the base of which is constituted by said central part, arranged horizontally across the seat of the bowl at the rear thereof, and the sides of which rise on either side. other of the bowl, either in the vertical direction, or in the direction inclined towards the front of the bowl, or even, and preferably, first in the vertical direction to then tilt and thus form the said uprights posterior to the comfortable position of the armrests.
• Beyond the posterior uprights, said tube is bent and extended to end on each side of the bowl by two lateral support armrest sections, preferably oriented horizontally and perpendicular to the central part.
• The fixing lugs are welded laterally to the tube, towards the front of the bowl, substantially flush with the lower edge of the tube.
• Each fixing lug is associated with a seal which is placed under the corresponding lug, extending under the tube and which has, on the lateral faces, retaining flanges framing the lug.
• The structure formed by the rigid tube is completed by two vertical tubular uprights which need not be as strong and which are butt welded laterally under the lateral parts forming armrest supports in the vicinity of the ends of the tube, in a position suitable for form said anterior uprights.
• The lower part of the front uprights is oriented horizontally from the outside towards the inside of the bowl.
• It is flattened along the length forming a support support which is placed between the perimeter of the bowl and a drop-down seat mounted on hinges at the rear of the bowl.
• It is wrapped over this length by a protective sleeve which is housed under the flap seat, in the interval formed by buffers with which it is fitted in a conventional manner.
• Said lower part also forms a recess for receiving an outer rim of the flap seat when the latter, in the folded position, covers the periphery of the bowl.
• The hinges of the drop-down seat are mounted at the rear of the bowl by flat legs on the legs of the armrest system, by the same screws or bolts.

• la figure 1 représente partiellement en perspective un système d'accoudoirs selon l'invention monté sur une cuvette de W.C ;
• la figure 2 représente une vue partiellement en coupe et en élévation montrant l'assemblage du système d'accoudoirs selon l'invention fixé avec un siège abattant sur une cuvette de W.C. ;
• et la figure 3 représente une coupe partielle au niveau des moyens d'appui du système d'accoudoirs selon l'invention sur une cuvette de W.C.

A particular embodiment of the invention will now be described in more detail which will make it better understand the essential characteristics and the advantages, it being understood however that this embodiment is chosen by way of example and that it is not at all limiting. Its description is illustrated by the appended drawings, in which:

• Figure 1 partially shows in perspective an armrest system according to the invention mounted on a toilet bowl;
• FIG. 2 represents a view partially in section and in elevation showing the assembly of the armrest system according to the invention fixed with a drop-down seat on a toilet bowl;
• and Figure 3 shows a partial section at the support means of the armrest system according to the invention on a toilet bowl

The armrest system 1 according to the invention shown in Figure 1, is mounted in the position of use on a toilet bowl in a resistant structure, it essentially comprises a rigid metal tube 3 bent in the shape of a "U". The base of the "U" is occupied by a central part 4 of the rectilinear tube, which is arranged across the bowl 2, protruding on either side of the latter. Each side of the "U" forms an upright 7 or 8, first oriented vertically, then inclined towards the front of the bowl in its section 31 or 32, until reaching the appropriate position for an armrest. The tube 3, thus connecting the two armrests, comprises in symmetrical positions in its base 4, two tabs 5 which are welded laterally on it, at its lower edge, and which serve as fixing tabs for the system at the rear 6 of the bowl as will be explained later.

The two vertical uprights 7 and 8 respectively of the tube 3 are again bent in their part opposite the base 4 towards the end of the bowl 2 opposite the rear 6 of the latter, so as to form sections d 'horizontal supports 9 intended for two armrests 10 and 11. The vertical uprights 7 and 8 thus constitute posterior uprights for the armrests 10 and 11.

Two rigid "L" shaped tubes 12 and 13 constitute anterior uprights for the armrests 10 and 11. For this purpose the upright of each "L" shaped tube 12 or 13 is fixed to a horizontal support section 9 by welding from its end laterally in the latter and the base of each of these uprights 12 or 13 is supported by means of a plastic sleeve 15 which envelops its end around the periphery 14 of the bowl 2 on either side other of it.

In Figure 2 are shown the means of assembly and attachment of the armrest system and a seat flap on the rear 6 of the toilet bowl The part to the right of the oblique line AA 'represents a sectional view and the part to the left of this line represents an elevation view.

From the armrest system one can see in this figure only the base 4 of the tube in the shape of a "U" 3 as well as a fixing lug 5 assembled by welding 16 to it. The fixing lug 5 has two orifices 17 intended for the passage of fixing screws 18 at the rear 6 of the bowl. These two openings have an elongated shape parallel to the base of the U-shaped tube so that an adjustment clearance can be obtained when positioning the armrest system.

A plastic angle iron 19 having in cross-section the shape of a "U", and closed at an end opposite the base 4, is inserted between each fixing lug 5 and the rear of the bowl 6 so as to produce a plastic seal between the legs 5, the base 4 and the bowl, thus avoiding areas where dirt accumulates.

The angle iron 19 has in its end close to the base 4, a cut in the form of a quarter of a circle of each of its lateral faces, so as to allow the passage of the base which is perpendicular to them.

The lateral faces 26 and 27 of the angle 19 in the shape of a "U" which surround the tab 5, have been shown projecting from the tab 5 for reasons of clarity, but they preferably come close to the edge of the tab 5.

The partial section shown in FIG. 3 shows the positioning of an anterior upright 12 of the “L” shaped armrest system relative to the periphery 14 of the bowl and to the seat 20 of the flap.

The base 28 of the "L" 12 has, near the periphery 14, an undulation so as to form a hollow 29, avoiding the outer edge of the bezel 20, so that the latter is free relative to the base 28. In addition, the plastic sleeve 15 which envelops the end of the base 28 having in this zone a flat 30, is dimensioned so that the bezel 20 does not rest on the sleeve, this so as not to create a cantilever between the flap hinges and two buffer pads (not shown) which serve as support means for the bezel 20 on the periphery 14, and which maintain between the periphery 14 and the bezel 20 a spacing imposed by the hinges 22.

The lid 21 of the flap rests on the bezel by means of pads 33 maintaining an identical spacing between the bezel and the lid at the spacing imposed by the hinges 23.

The folding seat comprises a seat 20 and a cover 21 which are mounted articulated in their part close to the rear of the bowl opposite the fixing lugs 4. The hinges 22 and 23 used, respectively for the articulation of the seat the flap relative to the bowl and that of the cover 21 relative to the flap seat 20, are conventional hinges riveted in the seat and in the seat. The part 24 of the hinge 22 which, in the absence of an armrest system, is intended to be fixed directly to the rear 6 of the toilet bowl has two elongated orifices 25 like the orifices of the legs 5, and placing themselves at the right of it. It is placed on the latter before the screws 18 are affixed.

Naturally, the invention is in no way limited by the details of the particular embodiment chosen to illustrate the invention. All kinds of variants can be made to the particular embodiment which has been described by way of example and to its constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (10)

1. System of armrests to be mounted on a WC pan, comprising two armrests (10, 11) connected together by a rigid tube (3) forming, in a single piece, rear uprights (7, 8) for the said armrests, oriented perpendicularly to a rectilinear central part (4) where the said tube has lugs (5) for fixing to the rear of the said pan, and, for each armrest, at least one front upright (12, 13) which has a top end secured to the said tube, opposite to a bottom part forming a support bearing on the said pan.
2. System of armrests according to Claim 1, characterised in that, after the rear uprights, the said tube (3) is angled and extended so as to end, on each side of the pan, in two lateral armrest support sections (9), preferably oriented horizontally and at right angles to the central part (4).
3. System of armrests according to Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the fixing lugs are welded laterally on the tube, towards the front of the pan, substantially level with the bottom edge of the tube.
4. System of armrests according to Claim 3, characterised in that with each fixing lug is associated a joint (19) which is placed underneath the corresponding lug, extending underneath the tube (3), and which has, on its lateral faces, locking shoulders framing the lug.
5. System of armrests according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterised in that it has two vertical tubular uprights (12, 13) welded at the end laterally underneath the lateral parts (9) forming armrest supports in the vicinity of the ends of the tube, in a suitable position to form the said front uprights.
6. System of armrests according to Claim 4, characterised in that the bottom part of the front uprights is oriented horizontally from the outside towards the inside of the pan and is flattened on the length forming the bearing support which is located between the rim of the pan and a lifting seat (20) mounted on hinges at the rear of the pan.
7. System of armrests according to Claim 6, characterised in that the said bottom part of the front uprights is enclosed over this length by a protective sleeve (15) housed underneath the lifting seat, in the space created by buffers with which the latter is equipped in a conventional manner.
8. System of armrests according to Claim 6 or 7, characterised in that the said bottom part also forms a hollow (29) for accommodating an outer shoulder on the lifting seat when the latter, in the lowered position, covers the rim of the pan.
9. System of armrests according to any one of Claims 6, 7 or 8, characterised in that the hinges of the lifting seat are mounted at the rear of the pan by means of lugs lying flat on the lugs of the system of armrests, by means of the same screws or bolts.
10. System of armrests according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the said rear uprights are at least partially oriented towards the front of the pan.

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