GB2459247A - Inflatable plug for a toilet in event of flooding - Google Patents

Inflatable plug for a toilet in event of flooding Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2459247A
GB2459247A GB0804103A GB0804103A GB2459247A GB 2459247 A GB2459247 A GB 2459247A GB 0804103 A GB0804103 A GB 0804103A GB 0804103 A GB0804103 A GB 0804103A GB 2459247 A GB2459247 A GB 2459247A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
plug
pan
tube
sealing member
bar
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB0804103A
Other versions
GB0804103D0 (en
Inventor
David Richard England
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
FLOOD MATERS
Original Assignee
FLOOD MATERS
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by FLOOD MATERS filed Critical FLOOD MATERS
Priority to GB0804103A priority Critical patent/GB2459247A/en
Publication of GB0804103D0 publication Critical patent/GB0804103D0/en
Publication of GB2459247A publication Critical patent/GB2459247A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
    • E03D—WATER-CLOSETS OR URINALS WITH FLUSHING DEVICES; FLUSHING VALVES THEREFOR
    • E03D11/00—Other component parts of water-closets, e.g. noise-reducing means in the flushing system, flushing pipes mounted in the bowl, seals for the bowl outlet, devices preventing overflow of the bowl contents; devices forming a water seal in the bowl after flushing, devices eliminating obstructions in the bowl outlet or preventing backflow of water and excrements from the waterpipe
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04H—BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
    • E04H9/00—Buildings, groups of buildings or shelters adapted to withstand or provide protection against abnormal external influences, e.g. war-like action, earthquake or extreme climate
    • E04H9/14—Buildings, groups of buildings or shelters adapted to withstand or provide protection against abnormal external influences, e.g. war-like action, earthquake or extreme climate against other dangerous influences, e.g. tornadoes, floods
    • E04H9/145—Floods
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
    • E06B—FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES
    • E06B9/00—Screening or protective devices for wall or similar openings, with or without operating or securing mechanisms; Closures of similar construction
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02A—TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02A10/00—TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE at coastal zones; at river basins
    • Y02A10/30—Flood prevention; Flood or storm water management, e.g. using flood barriers

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
  • Emergency Management (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Sanitary Device For Flush Toilet (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a plug 1 for a toilet pan and in the event of a flood seals the toilet by means of an inflatable tube 8 and a seal 4. The plug comprises a rigid support 2 adapted to be positioned in the mouth of the pan. The support comprises a pair of plates (2 and 3 figure 3) which form a seat 7 in which the inflatable tube is positioned. A sealing member 4 is sandwiched between the plates and preferably extends over the tube so that as the tube is inflated and increases in diameter, the sealing member becomes trapped between the pan and the tube. The sealing member is preferably made from rubber and moulded to the shape of the upper plate and to the shape of the tube. A bar 11 may be provided for securing the rigid support in position. The bar preferably extends under the rim of the lavatory pan to prevent removal of the plug.

Description

Toilet Pan Plug The present invention relates to a toilet pan plug namely a device which can be used to block the mouth of a toilet pan to prevent the pan overflowing as a result of a back flow of liquid through the drain system to which the pan is connected.
In the event that a building is surrounded by flood water there are various routes by which the water can enter the building. As the water level progressively rises the first routes of entry are through door openings and through air bricks. If steps are taken to block the door openings and air bricks, for example by deploying suitable barriers, the next opening through which water can enter the property is usually through the drainage system of the building. The drainage system will be connected to a public sewer or septic tank and if an area is flooded the public sewer system will often be inundated. The water level within the sewer system will typically rise to a value close to the flood water level in the flooded area with the result that when the water level surrounding a building rises to above the level of the rim of the lowest toilet pan *: within the property back flow through the building drainage system will occur and water mixed with sewage will spill over the rim of the pan into the interior of the building.
With increasing concern over the flooding of domestic premises devices have been * * proposed which are effective to block both the air bricks and doorways into a building.
The objective of this invention is to provide a device which can be used to block the mouths of toilet pans to prevent the ingress of water into the property in the manner previously described.
International Publication No. WO 2007/0796631 (Belgrade Insulations Ltd.) describes a device in the form of a plug for a toilet pan, the plug having a rigid support adapted to be positioned in the mouth of the pan, a seat formed on the rigid support, an inflatable tube positioned against the seat and inflatable to increase the effective diameter of the plug and a flexible cover extending across the lower surface of of the support and around the tube so that upon inflation of the tube the cover is trapped between the pan and the inflatable tube to form a seal with the pan.
The problem with this plug is that it is necessary to provide a different size of cover for different sizes of toilet pan.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a plug overcoming this problem.
According to the present invention a plug for a toilet pan comprises a rigid support adapted to be positioned in the mouth of a toilet pan, the support comprising a pair of plates and a seat formed between the plates, an inflatable tube positioned against the seat and inflatable to increase the effective diameter of the plug and a sealing member sandwiched between the plates and adapted so that upon inflation of the tube the sealing member is trapped between the pan and the inflatable tube to form a seal with the pan. * .. * S S
:.:: By providing a sealing member sandwiched between two upper and lower plates of *5SS the plug the need for a cover of different diameters is obviated. * S. * . . S.. *
* * Preferably the sealing member extends out over the inflatable tube so that upon inflation of the tube the sealing member forms a seal with the pan when inserted into the pan under the rim. 55.5 * S
Suitably the sealing member is in an ovoid form to match the shape of the pan.
Conveniently the sealing member is of rubber moulded to form the shape of the upper plate and to the shape of the tube and extending over the shape of the tube.
Preferably a bar is provided for securing to the rigid support, the bar, in use, extending under the rim of the lavatory pan to prevent direct removal of the plug.
Suitably a nut and bolt are provided to clamp the bar to the support, the, bolt extending through an aperture in the plates.
Conveniently the inflatable tube is provided with an inflation valve that passes through a suitable aperture in one of the plates such that it is accessible from the exterior of the lavatory pan.
Preferably the bar is provided with a handle to aid positioning and removal of the bar.
An embodiment of the present invention will now be particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of the toilet plug in position on the toilet pan and clamped thereto by a bar, Figure 2 is a cross section through a smaller diameter of the installed plug, Figure 3 is a cross section through a larger diameter of the installed plug, * ** * * 0 Figure 4 is a view from the longer diameter side of the plug and 0*S* .: * Figure 5 is a plan view of the retaining bar, *** * S * Figure 6 is a view of the bar from the side and * Figure 7 is a view of the bar in perspective.
Referring to the drawings the toilet plug 1 comprises a rigid support 2 formed by a pair of plates 2 and 3 between which is sandwiched a sealing member 4 which is made of rubber.
Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the plates 2 and 3 are connected together by a bolt 5 which extends through apertures in the centre of the plates 2 and 3. A wing type nut 6 is provided for the boltS so as to tighten up the plates 2 and 3 into engagement via the bolt 5, a portion of the sealing member 4 being located between the plates 2 and 3.
The support 1 defines an ovoid shaped seat 7 which is dimensioned and shaped so that the seat 7 can be located adjacent the corresponding inner surface of the pan (not shown). While toilet pans vary in size and shape to an extent, it is believed that the small range of supports formed in different sizes and, perhaps different overall shapes will be able to accommodate the vast majority of toilet pans in use in any country.
An inflatable.tube 8 is positioned in the seat 7. For convenience and cheapness the inflatable tube 8 is a conventional bicycle type tube having an inflation valve 9 which passes through a suitable aperture provided in the edge of the upper plate 2 to be accessible from the exterior of the pan. Because of the inherent resilience of the material of the inflatable tube 8 it can be stretched slightly to locate it within the seat 7 and will remain there without any form of attachment during normal handling of the plug 1.
The sealing member 4 is dimensioned to extend out beyond the inflatable tube 8 as an * external edge 10. This enables the sealing member 4 to form a complete seal underneath the rim of the toilet pan. When the tube 8 is inflated as shown in Figures 2 to 4 the edge 10 will be pressed against the surface of the pan to form a seal and also .: against the under surface of the rim and the tube 8 to protect the tube 8 from possible * damage as a result of limescale or other sharp projections. Inmost pans the primary seal will be formed at the zone of contact and a secondary seal will be formed around * most of the diameter of the pan between the underside of the rim and the material of * the sealing member 4 directly below the rim. This seal is not apparent in the drawing because the drawing is taken in the plane of the bar 11 which forms a secondary retaining device. However, in practice as a result of the resilient nature of the inflated tube 8 and the deformable nature of the material of the sealing member 4 the secondary seal will be provided around substantially the entire diameter of the plug.
Referring to Figures 5 to 7 the bar 11 is rectangular in shape. The bar 11 is provided with three apertures, 12, 13 and 14 spaced along its length through the outermost apertures 12 and 14 of which extend grub screws 15 and 16 to attach a handle 17 (see figure 2) to the bar 11.
A *
The bolt 5 extends through the apertures in the plates 2 and 3 and through the aperture 13 in the bar 11. The wing nut 6 is then located on the bolt 5 and is tightened onto the bar 11 to attach the bar 11 to the plates 2 and 3.
in order to attach the plug I to the toilet pan the bar 11 must be pointing straight up.
Whilst holding the handle 17 the plug I is inserted into the toilet bowl at a slight angle. When the plug us clear of the toilet pan rim the bar 11 is twisted through 90 degrees so that it is pointing to the person fitting the plug 1 and then the plug I is locked off against the rim by turning the wing nut 6 (which is located under the handle 17) clockwise until it is tightened against the plates 2 and 3. It is ensured that the edge or skirt 10 of the rubber sealing member 4 is always under the rim of the toilet pan.
Ideally with one person holding the plug I lightly, the plug I is pulled into the rim of the toilet pan while ensuring that the skirt is always under the rim of the toilet pan.
A pump valve for pumping up the bicycle tube 8 is provided. This is attached to the tube valve 9 and is used to pump the tube 8 up. The grip on the plug 1 is released to ensure that it is held firmly in place. If not the tube is pumped a little further to ensure that the plug 1 is held firmly in place. * S.
To remove the plug 1 the inflation valve 9 is unscrewed until air is released and the S.. * tube 8 is deflated. The bar 11 is turned through 21 degrees, tilted and removed. The * : :* inflation valve 9 is re-tightened again ready for use in future. * *.*
S
Three different diameters of plates are provided with corresponding different sizes of *:.::: inflatable tubes to accommodate the different sizes and shapes of toilet pans.
* S.... S *
Thus the inflatable tube is arranged to be compatible with the particular dimension of plate selected.
Although three different diameters of plates are still necessary to accommodate the different diameters and shapes of toilet pans the sealing member is dimensioned to fit all diameters and shapes of toilet pan.

Claims (9)

  1. Claims 1. A plug for a toilet pan comprising a rigid support adapted to be positioned in the mouth of a toilet pan, the support comprising a pair of plates and a seat formed between the plates, an inflatable tube positioned against the seat and inflatable to increase the effective diameter of the plug and a sealing member sandwiched between the plates and adapted so that upon inflation of the tube the sealing member is trapped between the pan and the inflatable tube to form a seal with the pan.
  2. 2.. A plug as claimed in claim 1 in which the sealing member extends out over the inflatable tube so that upon inflation of the tube the sealing member forms a seal with the pan when inserted into the pan under the rim.
  3. 3. A plug as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 in which the sealing member is in an ovoid form to match the shape of the pan. * *. * * *
  4. 4. A plug as claimed in any of claims 1 to, in which the sealing member is of rubber **.* moulded to form the shape of the upper plate and to the shape of the tube and .: extending over the shape of the tube.
  5. 5. A plug as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which a bar is provided for securing to the rigid support, the bar, in use, extending under the rim of the lavatory *..*.* * pan to prevent direct removal of the plug.
  6. 6. A plug as claimed in claim 5 in which a nut and bolt are provided to clamp the bar to the support, the bolt extending through an aperture in the plates.
  7. 7. A plug as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which the inflatable tube is provided with an inflation valve that passes through a suitable aperture in one of the plates such that it is accessible from the exterior of the lavatory pan.
  8. 8. A plug as claimed in any of claims any of claims 5 to 7 in which the bar is provided with a handle to aid positioning and removal of the bar.
  9. 9. A toilet plug substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any of the drawings. * ** * S 0 * ** *0** * I * 0** * ** * 0 0 S*0 0 * S.. 0 * . . * *0I*.S*.0 * S
GB0804103A 2008-03-05 2008-03-05 Inflatable plug for a toilet in event of flooding Withdrawn GB2459247A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0804103A GB2459247A (en) 2008-03-05 2008-03-05 Inflatable plug for a toilet in event of flooding

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0804103A GB2459247A (en) 2008-03-05 2008-03-05 Inflatable plug for a toilet in event of flooding

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB0804103D0 GB0804103D0 (en) 2008-04-09
GB2459247A true GB2459247A (en) 2009-10-21

Family

ID=39316002

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB0804103A Withdrawn GB2459247A (en) 2008-03-05 2008-03-05 Inflatable plug for a toilet in event of flooding

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2459247A (en)

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1489240A2 (en) * 2003-06-14 2004-12-22 Donal F. Farrell Backflow seal
GB2383343B (en) * 2001-12-21 2005-10-19 Ray Wolfenden Pressure seal for sealing a toilet pan
GB2389137B (en) * 2002-05-29 2006-03-15 Keith Smith A flood defence device

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2383343B (en) * 2001-12-21 2005-10-19 Ray Wolfenden Pressure seal for sealing a toilet pan
GB2389137B (en) * 2002-05-29 2006-03-15 Keith Smith A flood defence device
EP1489240A2 (en) * 2003-06-14 2004-12-22 Donal F. Farrell Backflow seal

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0804103D0 (en) 2008-04-09

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WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)