CA1120203A - Means for producing a water splash shield for commodes, urinals or the like - Google Patents
Means for producing a water splash shield for commodes, urinals or the likeInfo
- Publication number
- CA1120203A CA1120203A CA000346664A CA346664A CA1120203A CA 1120203 A CA1120203 A CA 1120203A CA 000346664 A CA000346664 A CA 000346664A CA 346664 A CA346664 A CA 346664A CA 1120203 A CA1120203 A CA 1120203A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- water
- shield
- urine
- toilet bowl
- fluid
- 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.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
- E03D—WATER-CLOSETS OR URINALS WITH FLUSHING DEVICES; FLUSHING VALVES THEREFOR
- E03D9/00—Sanitary or other accessories for lavatories ; Devices for cleaning or disinfecting the toilet room or the toilet bowl; Devices for eliminating smells
Abstract
MEANS FOR PRODUCING A WATER SPLASH
SHIELD FOR COMMODES, URINALS OR
THE LIKE
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
The present invention relates to a system for producing a water or fluid splatter shield across an open top area or a toilet bowl, urinal or the like. This is accomplished by supplying a fluid such as water or air under pressure to a nozzle, an annular ring type housing or pipe that is disposed about the top portion of the toilet bowl or urinal. Outlet means is formed about the interior of the nozzle, the annular ring housing or pipe such that fluid is dispersed therefrom and form a continuous, relatively thin sheet of flowing fluid above the bottom of the toilet bowl or urinal.
Consequently, urine being directed into the toilet bowl or urinal is prevented from splattering out by the presence of the fluid shield.
SHIELD FOR COMMODES, URINALS OR
THE LIKE
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
The present invention relates to a system for producing a water or fluid splatter shield across an open top area or a toilet bowl, urinal or the like. This is accomplished by supplying a fluid such as water or air under pressure to a nozzle, an annular ring type housing or pipe that is disposed about the top portion of the toilet bowl or urinal. Outlet means is formed about the interior of the nozzle, the annular ring housing or pipe such that fluid is dispersed therefrom and form a continuous, relatively thin sheet of flowing fluid above the bottom of the toilet bowl or urinal.
Consequently, urine being directed into the toilet bowl or urinal is prevented from splattering out by the presence of the fluid shield.
Description
' , .
.~,~ . .
The present invention relates to water closets, urinals, and the like, and more particularly to a water splatter shield for ~ ~;
use in conjunction with toilet bowls and urinals for preventing the ~
, . ~, . .
urine from splattering out of the ~oilet bowl or urinal.
BACKGROUND_OF INVENTION
In the course of urinating into a toilet bowl or urinal, it is not unusual for the urine to splatter out of the commode or ~, urinal onto the surrounding walls and floor areas. This is especially so where the individual urinating is a ~ale. Besides the (1) , :
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odor and generally unsanitary conditions brought about, the urine damages the surrounding walls and floor giving rise to discoloration and causing paint, enamel and other surfaces to chip or peel.
~his problem has been recognized in the past. ~or example, see United States Patents 3,486,172; 2,931,047; 3,931,649;
156,980; and 4,106,131. Generally the problem of urine splatter has been dealt with by providing a structural splat-ter guard that is designed to be attachable to the top portion of a toilet bowl or urinal. ~or most part, structural splatter guards such as disclosed in United States Patents 2,931,047 and 3,931,649, have not been really effective because they still leave the -top of the toilet bowl or urinal open. In addition, such splatter guards are undesir-able since they, like the toilet bowl, require cleaning periodically, and this is troublesome and inconvenient.
In United States Patent 156,980, there is disclosed a very early urinal that illustrates flushing the urinal by directing a downward release of water. It is to be understood that this is `~
for the purpose of flushing and cleaning the urinal. It does not function as a urine splatter shield, nor was it designed as such.
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The present invention entails a toilet bowl or urinal having means associated therewith for selectively producing a water ~ ;
shield generally horizontally across the inlet top area of a commode or urinal. In one embodiment, the water shield produced extends above and over the bottom area of the commode or urinal such that urine directed into the commode or urinal must pass through the water shield. Consequently, the water shield serves as a urine splatter guard or shield since urine impinging on the water or upon the side wall structure of -the commode or urinal cannot splatter
.~,~ . .
The present invention relates to water closets, urinals, and the like, and more particularly to a water splatter shield for ~ ~;
use in conjunction with toilet bowls and urinals for preventing the ~
, . ~, . .
urine from splattering out of the ~oilet bowl or urinal.
BACKGROUND_OF INVENTION
In the course of urinating into a toilet bowl or urinal, it is not unusual for the urine to splatter out of the commode or ~, urinal onto the surrounding walls and floor areas. This is especially so where the individual urinating is a ~ale. Besides the (1) , :
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~ ' : . - . . . .. : . ~ :
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odor and generally unsanitary conditions brought about, the urine damages the surrounding walls and floor giving rise to discoloration and causing paint, enamel and other surfaces to chip or peel.
~his problem has been recognized in the past. ~or example, see United States Patents 3,486,172; 2,931,047; 3,931,649;
156,980; and 4,106,131. Generally the problem of urine splatter has been dealt with by providing a structural splat-ter guard that is designed to be attachable to the top portion of a toilet bowl or urinal. ~or most part, structural splatter guards such as disclosed in United States Patents 2,931,047 and 3,931,649, have not been really effective because they still leave the -top of the toilet bowl or urinal open. In addition, such splatter guards are undesir-able since they, like the toilet bowl, require cleaning periodically, and this is troublesome and inconvenient.
In United States Patent 156,980, there is disclosed a very early urinal that illustrates flushing the urinal by directing a downward release of water. It is to be understood that this is `~
for the purpose of flushing and cleaning the urinal. It does not function as a urine splatter shield, nor was it designed as such.
~IL =~ L~
The present invention entails a toilet bowl or urinal having means associated therewith for selectively producing a water ~ ;
shield generally horizontally across the inlet top area of a commode or urinal. In one embodiment, the water shield produced extends above and over the bottom area of the commode or urinal such that urine directed into the commode or urinal must pass through the water shield. Consequently, the water shield serves as a urine splatter guard or shield since urine impinging on the water or upon the side wall structure of -the commode or urinal cannot splatter
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back upwardly through the water shield and out the commode or urinal.
In a toilet bowl embodiment, the water splatter shield device of the present invention entails an annular ring type pipe that extends around the upper top portion of the commode, preferably adjacent the flush rim of the toilet bowl. For exhausting water out of the annular ring type conduit pipe, the same is provided with a continuous slit about the inside of the annular ring type conduit such that when water is supplied under pressure to the annular ring type pipe, it follows that the water is continuously exhausted or dispersed inwardly from conduit or pipe through the slit opening. The dispersed water from the annular ring type pipe forms a relatively thin water shield that extends generally horizon-tally across the top portion of the toilet bowl above the normal water level within the bottom of the toilet bowl.
In another embodiment, the water splatter shield device of the present invention includes a nozzle assembly disposed in the vicinity of the top opening of the commode or toilet bowl, and is adapted to emit a volume of water across the top of the commode in a shield like form. This effectively forms the urine splatter shield.
It is, therefore, and object of the present invention to provide a urine splatter guard for a commode or urinal that will prevent urine from splattering out of the commode or urinal onto the surrounding wall and floor area of a bathroom.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a device for forming a urine splatter shield or guard that requires little, if any, cleaning and which neatly adapts to the commode or urinal without physically or aesthetically encumbering the commode or urinal.
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back upwardly through the water shield and out the commode or urinal.
In a toilet bowl embodiment, the water splatter shield device of the present invention entails an annular ring type pipe that extends around the upper top portion of the commode, preferably adjacent the flush rim of the toilet bowl. For exhausting water out of the annular ring type conduit pipe, the same is provided with a continuous slit about the inside of the annular ring type conduit such that when water is supplied under pressure to the annular ring type pipe, it follows that the water is continuously exhausted or dispersed inwardly from conduit or pipe through the slit opening. The dispersed water from the annular ring type pipe forms a relatively thin water shield that extends generally horizon-tally across the top portion of the toilet bowl above the normal water level within the bottom of the toilet bowl.
In another embodiment, the water splatter shield device of the present invention includes a nozzle assembly disposed in the vicinity of the top opening of the commode or toilet bowl, and is adapted to emit a volume of water across the top of the commode in a shield like form. This effectively forms the urine splatter shield.
It is, therefore, and object of the present invention to provide a urine splatter guard for a commode or urinal that will prevent urine from splattering out of the commode or urinal onto the surrounding wall and floor area of a bathroom.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a device for forming a urine splatter shield or guard that requires little, if any, cleaning and which neatly adapts to the commode or urinal without physically or aesthetically encumbering the commode or urinal.
(3) - , , -. - . , .
-2~3 More particularyly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a toilet bowl or urinal with means for selec~
tively producing a fluid splatter shield such as a water or air shield, as compared to a purely physical splatter guard, about the toilet bowl or urinal for preventing urine from splattering out of the toilet bowl or urinal.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a water splatter shield of the character described above where the same is automatically actuated for a selected period of time.
Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a toilet bowl, urinal, or the like with means for producing a water splatter shield across the inlet area thereof that is relatively simple, inexpensive, easy to maintain, reliable and which can be added onto a conventional toilet bowl or urinal, or which can be integrally constructed therewith.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a commode, urinal or toilet bowl with a device for producing a urine splatter shield in the form of a nozzle assembly wherein the nozzle assembly upon selective activation is adapted to emit a continuous shield of water across the top of the commode, urinal, or toilet bowl that tends to prevent the urine from splattering back upwardly through the shield of water and through the top opening of the ''!'' commode, urinal or toilet bowl.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will ; `
become apparent from a study of the following description and the accompanying drawings which are merely illustrative of the present invention.
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-BRIEF DESCRIPTIO~ OF DRAblINGS
~ig. 1 is a perspective view of a water closet having the water splatter shield of the present invention incorporated therein.
Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along the lines 2-2 of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is an enlarged side elevational view of the wa-ter closet of Figs. 1 and 2 with a portion of the toilet bowl and seat shown in section to better illustrate the present invention.
Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of a water closet, similar to Fig. 3, except that therein the device of the present invention for producing the water splatter shield is integrally constructed within the toilet bowl itself.
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a nozzle or nozzle assembly of another embodiment for producing a urine splatter shield.
Fig. 6 is a side view, partially in section, illustrating the nozzle assembly mounted within a commode.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS ~-With further reference to the drawings, particularly Figs. 1 through 3, a water closet is shown therein and indicated generally by the numeral 10. Water closet 10 basically comprises a base portion 11 that has a toilet bowl 12 integrally formed there-with, and wherein the water closet 10 further includes a tank portion 14. Details of the tank portion 14, the plumbing and ~;
controls therein, and the flush system is not dealt with herein in detail because such is not material per se to the present invention and further because such is conventional and well appreciated in the prior art. ~owever, as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, there is shown a water inlet line 16 which is directed to tank 14 and (5) DZ~
functions to direct water from a water source (not shown) to tank 14 of water closet 10.
Briefly reviewing toilet bowl 12, it is seen that the same includes a lower flush outlet 20 about the bottom thereof, and as seen in Fig. 2, the bottom of the toilet bowl 12 is adapted to normally contain a volume of water therein. A flush rim 18 surrounds the upper top porti~n of the toilet bowl 12 and as seen in Figs. 2 and 3, the flush rim 18 projects inwardly from the side retaining wall structure of the toilet bowl 12.
Pivotably mounted just above and slightly rearwardly of the flush rim 18 is a seat 22 and a top 24, with both the seat 22 and top 24 being pivotably mounted to a bracket assembly 26 by a pivot pin 28.
The present invention particularly entails the provision of means for providing a water splash shield or ~uard about the open top inlet area of the toilet bowl 12. The means for producing -~
water splash shield or guard means is referred to generally by the numeral 30 in the drawings.
~iewing the system of the present invention for produciDg the water splash shield, in the case of the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 through 3, an annular pipe 32 is disposed about the upper area of the toilet bowl 12 just beneath the lower inwardly ~ ;
projecting edge of the flush rim 18. The annular pipe 32 in this ~- `
embodiment extends entirely around the toilet bowl 12 and includes a continuous thin slit 34 formed about the inside area of the annular pipe 32. Thus, once water is directed into the annular pipe 32, under pressure, it is seen that water is exhausted or ~;
dispersed out the continuous slit opening 34 -to form a continuous shield or water, indicated by numeral ~6, interiorly within the (6) , : :- . ....
~Z~ 3 bounds of the annular pipe or water receiving channel 32.
As shown in Fig. 2, it is seen that the wa-ter shield 36 is generally formed above the normal level of the water contained within the toilet bowl 12, and further that the water shield 36 extends generally horizontally across the open top area of the toilet bowl 12.
For supplying water to the annular pipe 32, an inlet water line 38 is teed into the water supply line 16 and routed generally upwardly therefrom to where the inlet line 38 is directed over the flush rim 18 about -the rear edge of the toilet bowl 12, between the flush rim 18 and seat 22, to where the inlet water line 38 is teed into the annular pipe 32.
Operatively associated with the inlet water line 38 is a valve 40 that includes an actuator 42, that in the case of the - :, present embodiment, is disposed and aligned such that the same is actuated by the movement of seat 22 from its normal horizontal position to an upright elevated position, shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3. Valve 40 could be of the type that is adapted to remain open a predetermined time after actuation, or in the alternative, valve 40 could simply be actuated on and off by moving the same 22 between its normal horizontal position and its elevated upright position.
It should be noted that annular pipe 32 could be mounted and held in place within the toilet bowl 12 by appropriate mount~
ing means. Alternatively, the inlet water line 38 may be rigid enough to support the annular pipe 32 in a suspended posture.
Turning to Fig. 4, a second embodiment of the present - ; " -invention is illustrated, and in this case the system for producing the water splash shield is essentially the same as that described (7) ~
' ;
- - . . -- , ~- . ~ . . .
herinabove, with the exc0ption that the means for dispersing the water to form the water shield is integrally formed within the flush rim 18 of the toilet bowl 12. More particularly, as illustrated in Fig. 4, f`ormed continuously around thc flush rim 18 is an open annular water housing or receiving channel 44 that is adapted to receive water through inlet line 38. The annular hous-ing or receiving channel 44 is open by a continuous outlet slit 46 , - ::, . ~
that extends around the entire area of the flush rim 18~ Conse-quently, as described hereinabove with respect to Figs. 1 through 3, the selected actua-tion of valve 40 causes water to be directed from inlet line 38 into the annular housing 44 where the water is dis-persed generally horizontally across the open top ares of the ~ -toilet bowl 12 as the water is being dispersed or exhausted out a continuous sli-t 46 around the entire flush rim 18. , Another alternative as illustrated in Fig. 4, and this deals with the provision of a booster pump 48 operatively connected within the inlet water line 38. In certain cases, the pressure of the water in line 16 might not be sufficient for producing the water splatter shield of the present invention, and so, therefore, a booster pump 48 could be utilized to increase the pressure sufficiently enough to form the water splatter shield. --Another embodiment of the urine splatter shield device of the present invention comprises a nozzle assembly indicated generally by the numeral 50 and particularly illustrated in Figs. ;~
5 and 6. Nozzle assembly 50, as shown herein, is oriented about the rear top portion of the toilet bowl 12 and is designed and ~`
adapted to emit a shield of water across the open top of the ~ `
commode or toilet bowl in like manner to the embodiments disclosed hereinabove. ~
(8) ~` `
~' ` ''' '~'~,', 2~3 ~ozzle assembly 50 could even be integrally constructed with switch 40 from which the same may e~tend downwardly there-from to a position adjacent the inner side of rim 18 of the commode.
Viewing -the nozzle assembly 50 in more detail, it is seen that the same includes a housing structure 52 that is communi-catively connected -through valve 40 to a supply of water. Forming a part of nozzle assembly 50 is a nozzle lip type opening 54 that is designed so as to span in such a manner that when oriented in ~ ::
the top opening of the bowl 12 that the same is actuated to emit a shield of water across the open top portions of the bowl 12.
Generally, it is contemplated that the nozzle opening 54 could be of a generally arcuate shapa so as to emit a continuous volume of water across the open top of the bowl 12.
Since the nozzle assembly 50 is communicatively connected to the valve 40 that is actuated by the commode seat 22, it is ~ ~:
appreciated that the raising of the commode seat 22 from its horizontal position to its upward vertical position results in the valve 40 being open and conse~uently water being dispersed out of the nozzle opening 54. :~
Once actuated, the nozzle assembly 50 serves the same -~
basic function as the other embodiments discussed hereinabove.
This function is to emit a thin shield of water, in a continuous ~ ;
spray, across the top opening of the toilet bowl 12. This cor- ;
tinuous spray or shield of water prohibits the urine from splatter~
ing from the bottom of the bowl 12 upwardly through the top opening and on to the surrounding floor and walls around the water closet 10. `, The above discussion has dealt with producing a water :`
(9) splatter shield ~or a toilet bowl. But it is unders-tood and appreciated that the very same means could be utilized in conjunc-tion with a urinal or other type of urine receptacle for forming a water shield about the inlet area of the same. The principal requirement for an effective system is that the water shield be such that urine directed into the toilet bowl or the urinal be constrained to pass through the water splatter shield, and that the water splatter shield be oriented with respect to the toilet bowl 12 or the urinal such that any urine tending to splatter will be directed back toward the water shield. It is appreciated that the presence of the continuous water shield, which is essentially a relatively thin sheet of water being continuously dispersed across a given area would act to intercept or prohibit urine from splatter-ing out the toilet bowl or the urinal through the water shield.
The present invention further contemplates that the splatter shield could be formed by any other suitable fluid such as air. In the case of air, an air source would provide air under pressure that would be selectively directed to the annular ring housing 30 or nozzle 52 and dispersed out the opening 32 or 54 to form a generally horizontal air shield that would serve the same basic function as the water should discussed hereinabove.
~rom the foregoing discussion, it is seen that the pre-sent invention presents a very useful and effective means for pre- ~ -venting urine from spla-ttering from a toilet towl or a urinal onto surrounding walls or the surrounding floor area of a bathroom where such is located. The system of the present invention is effective, efficient, but yet is relatively simple, inexpensive, and easy to maintain as the same would not require cleaning in the same manner as would be required and expected with a purely structural splatter (10) ' ' ! . , ,~
,.. , ' "' ,':..' ,' , " ,.
' ' " ~ " ' ' ~ . ' shield or guard.
The terms "upper", "lower", "forward", "rearward", etc., have been used herein merely for the convenience of the foregoing specification in the appended claims to describe the means for producing the water splash shield and its parts as oriented in the drawings. It is to be understood, however, that these terms are in no way limiting to the invention since the means for producing the water splash shield may obviously be disposed in many different positions when in actual use.
~he present invention, of course, may be carried out in other specific ways than those herein set forth without departing from the spirit and essential characteristics of the invention.
The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all changes com~
ing within the meaning and equivalency range of the appended Claims -are intended to be embraced therein.
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~ .
-2~3 More particularyly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a toilet bowl or urinal with means for selec~
tively producing a fluid splatter shield such as a water or air shield, as compared to a purely physical splatter guard, about the toilet bowl or urinal for preventing urine from splattering out of the toilet bowl or urinal.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a water splatter shield of the character described above where the same is automatically actuated for a selected period of time.
Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a toilet bowl, urinal, or the like with means for producing a water splatter shield across the inlet area thereof that is relatively simple, inexpensive, easy to maintain, reliable and which can be added onto a conventional toilet bowl or urinal, or which can be integrally constructed therewith.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a commode, urinal or toilet bowl with a device for producing a urine splatter shield in the form of a nozzle assembly wherein the nozzle assembly upon selective activation is adapted to emit a continuous shield of water across the top of the commode, urinal, or toilet bowl that tends to prevent the urine from splattering back upwardly through the shield of water and through the top opening of the ''!'' commode, urinal or toilet bowl.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will ; `
become apparent from a study of the following description and the accompanying drawings which are merely illustrative of the present invention.
'.,,. :~:
.. : -. ! . ' ' : ,~ ' . ~ : .. '., i .
-BRIEF DESCRIPTIO~ OF DRAblINGS
~ig. 1 is a perspective view of a water closet having the water splatter shield of the present invention incorporated therein.
Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along the lines 2-2 of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is an enlarged side elevational view of the wa-ter closet of Figs. 1 and 2 with a portion of the toilet bowl and seat shown in section to better illustrate the present invention.
Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of a water closet, similar to Fig. 3, except that therein the device of the present invention for producing the water splatter shield is integrally constructed within the toilet bowl itself.
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a nozzle or nozzle assembly of another embodiment for producing a urine splatter shield.
Fig. 6 is a side view, partially in section, illustrating the nozzle assembly mounted within a commode.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS ~-With further reference to the drawings, particularly Figs. 1 through 3, a water closet is shown therein and indicated generally by the numeral 10. Water closet 10 basically comprises a base portion 11 that has a toilet bowl 12 integrally formed there-with, and wherein the water closet 10 further includes a tank portion 14. Details of the tank portion 14, the plumbing and ~;
controls therein, and the flush system is not dealt with herein in detail because such is not material per se to the present invention and further because such is conventional and well appreciated in the prior art. ~owever, as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, there is shown a water inlet line 16 which is directed to tank 14 and (5) DZ~
functions to direct water from a water source (not shown) to tank 14 of water closet 10.
Briefly reviewing toilet bowl 12, it is seen that the same includes a lower flush outlet 20 about the bottom thereof, and as seen in Fig. 2, the bottom of the toilet bowl 12 is adapted to normally contain a volume of water therein. A flush rim 18 surrounds the upper top porti~n of the toilet bowl 12 and as seen in Figs. 2 and 3, the flush rim 18 projects inwardly from the side retaining wall structure of the toilet bowl 12.
Pivotably mounted just above and slightly rearwardly of the flush rim 18 is a seat 22 and a top 24, with both the seat 22 and top 24 being pivotably mounted to a bracket assembly 26 by a pivot pin 28.
The present invention particularly entails the provision of means for providing a water splash shield or ~uard about the open top inlet area of the toilet bowl 12. The means for producing -~
water splash shield or guard means is referred to generally by the numeral 30 in the drawings.
~iewing the system of the present invention for produciDg the water splash shield, in the case of the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 through 3, an annular pipe 32 is disposed about the upper area of the toilet bowl 12 just beneath the lower inwardly ~ ;
projecting edge of the flush rim 18. The annular pipe 32 in this ~- `
embodiment extends entirely around the toilet bowl 12 and includes a continuous thin slit 34 formed about the inside area of the annular pipe 32. Thus, once water is directed into the annular pipe 32, under pressure, it is seen that water is exhausted or ~;
dispersed out the continuous slit opening 34 -to form a continuous shield or water, indicated by numeral ~6, interiorly within the (6) , : :- . ....
~Z~ 3 bounds of the annular pipe or water receiving channel 32.
As shown in Fig. 2, it is seen that the wa-ter shield 36 is generally formed above the normal level of the water contained within the toilet bowl 12, and further that the water shield 36 extends generally horizontally across the open top area of the toilet bowl 12.
For supplying water to the annular pipe 32, an inlet water line 38 is teed into the water supply line 16 and routed generally upwardly therefrom to where the inlet line 38 is directed over the flush rim 18 about -the rear edge of the toilet bowl 12, between the flush rim 18 and seat 22, to where the inlet water line 38 is teed into the annular pipe 32.
Operatively associated with the inlet water line 38 is a valve 40 that includes an actuator 42, that in the case of the - :, present embodiment, is disposed and aligned such that the same is actuated by the movement of seat 22 from its normal horizontal position to an upright elevated position, shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3. Valve 40 could be of the type that is adapted to remain open a predetermined time after actuation, or in the alternative, valve 40 could simply be actuated on and off by moving the same 22 between its normal horizontal position and its elevated upright position.
It should be noted that annular pipe 32 could be mounted and held in place within the toilet bowl 12 by appropriate mount~
ing means. Alternatively, the inlet water line 38 may be rigid enough to support the annular pipe 32 in a suspended posture.
Turning to Fig. 4, a second embodiment of the present - ; " -invention is illustrated, and in this case the system for producing the water splash shield is essentially the same as that described (7) ~
' ;
- - . . -- , ~- . ~ . . .
herinabove, with the exc0ption that the means for dispersing the water to form the water shield is integrally formed within the flush rim 18 of the toilet bowl 12. More particularly, as illustrated in Fig. 4, f`ormed continuously around thc flush rim 18 is an open annular water housing or receiving channel 44 that is adapted to receive water through inlet line 38. The annular hous-ing or receiving channel 44 is open by a continuous outlet slit 46 , - ::, . ~
that extends around the entire area of the flush rim 18~ Conse-quently, as described hereinabove with respect to Figs. 1 through 3, the selected actua-tion of valve 40 causes water to be directed from inlet line 38 into the annular housing 44 where the water is dis-persed generally horizontally across the open top ares of the ~ -toilet bowl 12 as the water is being dispersed or exhausted out a continuous sli-t 46 around the entire flush rim 18. , Another alternative as illustrated in Fig. 4, and this deals with the provision of a booster pump 48 operatively connected within the inlet water line 38. In certain cases, the pressure of the water in line 16 might not be sufficient for producing the water splatter shield of the present invention, and so, therefore, a booster pump 48 could be utilized to increase the pressure sufficiently enough to form the water splatter shield. --Another embodiment of the urine splatter shield device of the present invention comprises a nozzle assembly indicated generally by the numeral 50 and particularly illustrated in Figs. ;~
5 and 6. Nozzle assembly 50, as shown herein, is oriented about the rear top portion of the toilet bowl 12 and is designed and ~`
adapted to emit a shield of water across the open top of the ~ `
commode or toilet bowl in like manner to the embodiments disclosed hereinabove. ~
(8) ~` `
~' ` ''' '~'~,', 2~3 ~ozzle assembly 50 could even be integrally constructed with switch 40 from which the same may e~tend downwardly there-from to a position adjacent the inner side of rim 18 of the commode.
Viewing -the nozzle assembly 50 in more detail, it is seen that the same includes a housing structure 52 that is communi-catively connected -through valve 40 to a supply of water. Forming a part of nozzle assembly 50 is a nozzle lip type opening 54 that is designed so as to span in such a manner that when oriented in ~ ::
the top opening of the bowl 12 that the same is actuated to emit a shield of water across the open top portions of the bowl 12.
Generally, it is contemplated that the nozzle opening 54 could be of a generally arcuate shapa so as to emit a continuous volume of water across the open top of the bowl 12.
Since the nozzle assembly 50 is communicatively connected to the valve 40 that is actuated by the commode seat 22, it is ~ ~:
appreciated that the raising of the commode seat 22 from its horizontal position to its upward vertical position results in the valve 40 being open and conse~uently water being dispersed out of the nozzle opening 54. :~
Once actuated, the nozzle assembly 50 serves the same -~
basic function as the other embodiments discussed hereinabove.
This function is to emit a thin shield of water, in a continuous ~ ;
spray, across the top opening of the toilet bowl 12. This cor- ;
tinuous spray or shield of water prohibits the urine from splatter~
ing from the bottom of the bowl 12 upwardly through the top opening and on to the surrounding floor and walls around the water closet 10. `, The above discussion has dealt with producing a water :`
(9) splatter shield ~or a toilet bowl. But it is unders-tood and appreciated that the very same means could be utilized in conjunc-tion with a urinal or other type of urine receptacle for forming a water shield about the inlet area of the same. The principal requirement for an effective system is that the water shield be such that urine directed into the toilet bowl or the urinal be constrained to pass through the water splatter shield, and that the water splatter shield be oriented with respect to the toilet bowl 12 or the urinal such that any urine tending to splatter will be directed back toward the water shield. It is appreciated that the presence of the continuous water shield, which is essentially a relatively thin sheet of water being continuously dispersed across a given area would act to intercept or prohibit urine from splatter-ing out the toilet bowl or the urinal through the water shield.
The present invention further contemplates that the splatter shield could be formed by any other suitable fluid such as air. In the case of air, an air source would provide air under pressure that would be selectively directed to the annular ring housing 30 or nozzle 52 and dispersed out the opening 32 or 54 to form a generally horizontal air shield that would serve the same basic function as the water should discussed hereinabove.
~rom the foregoing discussion, it is seen that the pre-sent invention presents a very useful and effective means for pre- ~ -venting urine from spla-ttering from a toilet towl or a urinal onto surrounding walls or the surrounding floor area of a bathroom where such is located. The system of the present invention is effective, efficient, but yet is relatively simple, inexpensive, and easy to maintain as the same would not require cleaning in the same manner as would be required and expected with a purely structural splatter (10) ' ' ! . , ,~
,.. , ' "' ,':..' ,' , " ,.
' ' " ~ " ' ' ~ . ' shield or guard.
The terms "upper", "lower", "forward", "rearward", etc., have been used herein merely for the convenience of the foregoing specification in the appended claims to describe the means for producing the water splash shield and its parts as oriented in the drawings. It is to be understood, however, that these terms are in no way limiting to the invention since the means for producing the water splash shield may obviously be disposed in many different positions when in actual use.
~he present invention, of course, may be carried out in other specific ways than those herein set forth without departing from the spirit and essential characteristics of the invention.
The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all changes com~
ing within the meaning and equivalency range of the appended Claims -are intended to be embraced therein.
.' '~, ! ~',','~ , .' ' , .. .
,;~; .`'`' ~ '~
~'''`~ . .
'~''`
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"."' ' ' ' ''`'~ ' ~ ' (11) ; ,'. ~ ~
~ .
Claims (15)
1. A system for producing a fluid splash shield for a toilet type urine receptacle having a bottom, a side retaining wall structure, and an outlet for urine and flush water to exit therefrom, said fluid splash guard system comprising: an inlet fluid line communicatively connected to a fluid source; urine splash shield means communicatively connected to said inlet fluid line and disposed above and over the bottom of said toilet type urine receptacle for selectively directing a volume of fluid outwardly therefrom and generally horizontally over and above the bottom of said urine receptacle for forming a fluid splash shield and for preventing urine from splattering upwardly from the bottom of said urine receptacle and valve means operatively interconnected between said source of fluid and said urine splash shield means for selectively directing fluid from said fluid source through said inlet fluid line into said urine splash shield means for producing the fluid splash shield while one is urinating in said urine receptacle.
2. The system for producing a fluid splash shield of Claim 1 wherein said fluid is water and wherein said means for producing said fluid splash shield comprises: a water receiving channel that extends around a substantial portion of the toilet type urine receptacle above the bottom thereof, and wherein said water receiving channel is provided with outlet opening means about the inside area thereof for directing water therefrom to form a water splatter shield over and above the bottom of said urine receptacle.
3. The system of producing a water splash shield of Claim 2 wherein said water receiving channel includes an annular conduit disposed over the bottom of said urine receptacle, and wherein said outlet opening means is formed around substantially the entire area of said annular conduit such that once actuated water flows inwardly from the inside area of said annular con-duit so as to form a continuous water shield interiorly of said annular conduit.
4. The water shield system of Claim 3 wherein said out-let opening means comprises a continuous slit formed sub-stantially about the entire interior side portion of said annular conduit.
5. The water splash shield of Claim 4 wherein said annular conduit is mounted interiorly of said urine receptacle generally overlying the bottom thereof.
6. The water splash shield of Claim 4 wherein said annular conduit is integrally formed in the side wall structure of said urine receptacle so as to generally overlie the bottom thereof.
7. The water splash shield of Claim 4 wherein said urine receptacle includes a seat movable between a horizontal position and a vertical position, and wherein said valve means is dis-posed with respect to said seat such that the same is actuated by moving the seat from its horizontal position to an elevated position.
8. In a water closet having a toilet bowl normally having a volume of water contained therein and including a bottom, a side retaining wall structure, an upper flush rim extending around the top portion of the toilet bowl, and a seat movably mounted between a horizontal position adjacent said upper flush rim and an elevated position; the improvement comprising urine splash shield means for producing a water splatter shield across the open top of said toilet bowl for preventing urine from splattering out of said toilet bowl; said urine splash shield means for producing the water splatter shield comprising: an inlet water line communicatively connected to a source of water;
a water receiving channel communicatively connected to said inlet water line and disposed interiorly around said toilet bowl about the flush rim thereof but above the normal water level within said toilet bowl; outlet water means formed within said water receiving channel for emitting water outwardly therefrom so as to form a water splatter shield across the open top area of said toilet bowl and above the normal water level within said toilet bowl for preventing urine directed into the toilet bowl from splattering out; valve means communicatively connected be-tween said water source and said water receiving channel for selectively directing water to said water receiving channel for forming the water splatter shield across the open top area of said toilet bowl, while one is urinating in said urine receptacle.
a water receiving channel communicatively connected to said inlet water line and disposed interiorly around said toilet bowl about the flush rim thereof but above the normal water level within said toilet bowl; outlet water means formed within said water receiving channel for emitting water outwardly therefrom so as to form a water splatter shield across the open top area of said toilet bowl and above the normal water level within said toilet bowl for preventing urine directed into the toilet bowl from splattering out; valve means communicatively connected be-tween said water source and said water receiving channel for selectively directing water to said water receiving channel for forming the water splatter shield across the open top area of said toilet bowl, while one is urinating in said urine receptacle.
9. The improved water closet of Claim 8 wherein said water receiving channel comprises an annular ring type housing that generally encircles the open top of said toilet bowl, and wherein said outlet water means is formed continuously around the interior portion of said annular ring type housing such that water directed into said annular ring type housing is dispensed inwardly out said outlet water means so as to form a relatively thin water shield interiorly of said annular ring type housing.
10. The improved water closet of Claim 9 wherein said annular ring type housing is in the form of a pipe that is dis-posed with respect to the toilet bowl such that it encircles the interior top portion thereof and is spaced relatively close to the side wall structure of toilet bowl.
11. The improved water closet of Claim 10 wherein said flush rim includes a ledge that projects inwardly from the in-terior side wall structure of said toilet bowl, and wherein said annular type ring housing in the form of said pipe is dis-posed generally underneath said ledge and extends substantially around the entire interior area of said toilet bowl.
12. The improved water closet of Claim 9 wherein said annular type ring housing is integrally formed within the flush rim of said toilet bowl.
13. The improved water closet of Claim 11 wherein said toilet bowl includes a seat movably mounted between a horizontal position where the same rests adjacent said flush rim and an elevated upright position; and wherein said valve means in-cludes means for actuating the same in response to the remove-ment of said seat member from said horizontal position to said elevated position, and wherein said valve means and said means for actuating the same is particularly positioned with respect to said seat member for accomplishing the actuation of said valve means in response to that movement of said seat member.
14. The system for producing a fluid splash shield of Claim l wherein said fluid is water and wherein said toilet type urine receptable includes an open top and wherein said means for producing said fluid splash shield comprises: a nozzle assembly disposed below the open top of said toilet type urine receptacle and including a nozzle directed for emitting water in the form of a splatter shield across the toilet type urine receptacle ' above the bottom thereof, wherein the formed splatter shield prohibits urine from splattering back therethrough after the urine strikes the bottom and sides thereof. ,
15. The water splash shield of Claim 14 wherein said urine receptacle includes a seat movable between a horizontal position and a vertical position, and wherein said valve means is disposed with respect to said seat such that the same is actuated by moving the seat from its horizontal position to an elevated position, and wherein said nozzle assembly included an arcuate shaped lip type nozzle for emitting a shield of water over the open top of said urine receptacle.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US1618879A | 1979-02-28 | 1979-02-28 | |
| US16,188 | 1979-02-28 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1120203A true CA1120203A (en) | 1982-03-23 |
Family
ID=21775843
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000346664A Expired CA1120203A (en) | 1979-02-28 | 1980-02-28 | Means for producing a water splash shield for commodes, urinals or the like |
Country Status (4)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPS5634834A (en) |
| AU (1) | AU536764B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1120203A (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2047302A (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US9587389B2 (en) | 2011-08-02 | 2017-03-07 | Urimat Holding Ag | Insert for the drainage opening of a urinal |
Families Citing this family (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2125462B (en) * | 1982-07-16 | 1985-10-02 | Frank Whiting | Toilet bowl cleaning system |
| AU617359B2 (en) * | 1987-09-17 | 1991-11-28 | James Hardie Research Pty Limited | Urinal |
| JP5383945B1 (en) * | 2013-06-26 | 2014-01-08 | 有海 宮脇 | Flush toilet |
| CN109811853A (en) * | 2019-03-26 | 2019-05-28 | 孟悦 | Anti- environmental pollution toilet |
Family Cites Families (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS5415346A (en) * | 1977-07-04 | 1979-02-05 | Akishirou Shinoda | Improvement on flush stool |
-
1980
- 1980-02-26 GB GB8006497A patent/GB2047302A/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1980-02-28 AU AU55958/80A patent/AU536764B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1980-02-28 CA CA000346664A patent/CA1120203A/en not_active Expired
- 1980-02-28 JP JP2349780A patent/JPS5634834A/en active Pending
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US9587389B2 (en) | 2011-08-02 | 2017-03-07 | Urimat Holding Ag | Insert for the drainage opening of a urinal |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB2047302A (en) | 1980-11-26 |
| AU536764B2 (en) | 1984-05-24 |
| AU5595880A (en) | 1980-09-04 |
| JPS5634834A (en) | 1981-04-07 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |