CA2090902A1

CA2090902A1 - Sanitary waste disposal system

Info

Publication number: CA2090902A1
Application number: CA 2090902
Authority: CA
Inventors: Gianfranco Zaccai; Andrew G. Ziegler; Richard L. Miller; Timothy C. Dearborn; Luis Pedraza
Original assignee: Herman Miller Inc
Current assignee: MillerKnoll Inc
Priority date: 1992-03-06
Filing date: 1993-03-03
Publication date: 1993-09-07
Also published as: JPH0610398A

Abstract

ABSTRACT
A sanitary waste disposal system is used with a water supply and a sewer line. The system includes a toilet bowl having an inlet opening for receiving water from a water supply and a discharge opening for draining water from the toilet bowl. A wasteline is in fluid flow communication with the toilet bowl discharge opening and the sewer line.
In one aspect of the invention, at least a portion of the wasteline is moveable between a raised trap-forming position and a lowered drain position. Inthe raised trap-forming position, an underside of said portion is higher than the discharge opening to maintain a desired level of water in the toilet bowl and block odors from the sewer line. In the lowered drain position, the underside of said portion is at least lower than said level of water in the toilet bowl to create a pressure differential which induces flow to the sewer line. To flush waste and water from the toilet bowl, the wasteline is moved from the raised to the lowered position.
In another aspect of the invention, an outer frame is adapted to be positioned inside a recess in a wall, and a carrier frame is positioned within the outer frame and is vertically moveable and guided within said outer frame. The toilet bowl is connected to the carrier frame and moves therewith to a desired vertical position. A water supply is adapted to accommodate for changes in the height of the toilet bowl, and the wasteline is moveable to accommodate for changes in the height of the toilet bowl.
In yet another aspect of the invention, a cabinet is positioned substantially above and behind the toilet bowl. The cabinet has side walls and aback wall which define an interior chamber, and wash means which extend into the cabinet chamber. The toilet bowl is rotatable from a substantially horizontal lowered position to a raised position in which at least a portion of the bowl isinside the interior chamber of the cabinet. In addition, a retractable cover conceals the interior chamber of the cabinet when the toilet bowl is in the lowered position, and the wasteline is moveable to accommodate for the rotation of the toilet bowl between the lowered and raised positions.
In yet a further aspect of the invention, a pair of spaced apart, rotatable armrests are positioned above the toilet bowl when the bowl is in the lowered position and are pivotable about a horizontal axis. The armrests cooperate with the toilet bowl such that they rotate upward when the toilet bowl is raised.

Description

2090~2 SANITARY WASTE DISPOSAL SYSTEM

BA(: KGRC)UND OE~ THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to sanitary waste disposal systems, and more pa~ticularly, to a disposal system having water conservation features, a rotatable and vertically adjustable toilLet bowl, rotatable armrests, a S retractable bidet, and self-washing and drying means.
In presently known sanitary waste disposal systems, a supply of water is furnished to a toilet bowl to initiate a flushing cycle. The means of furnishing this water and the volume required varies depending on the type of disposal system. Once flow is initiated, a siphon action draws the water out of the toilet bowl and through a wasteline. After the waste is flushed out of the toilet bowl, water is added to refill the bowl.
Typically, disposal systems found in residential settings supply water to the toilet bowl from a water tank positioned above the toilet bowl. In some of these systems, merely adding a relatively large amount of water to the toilet bowl from the water tank creates the necessary pressure differential to induce the water in the toilet bowl to flow out through the wasteline to a sewer line. In others, water is added to the bowl to induce a siphonic flow of water out of thebowl and through the wasteline. In commercial and institutional environments, water is usually supplied directly to the toilet bowl from a supply line. Actuation of a flush ~alve causes a carefully metered volume of water to flow vigorously to the toilet bowl to induce the water therein to flow out through a wasteline to asewer line.
- Recent environmental efforts have emphasized the need for and the importance of conserving the available potable water supply. The types of disposal systems described above, especially those constructed for use in residential settings, generally require a considerable volume of water because water must be added to initiate the flushing cycle as well as to refill the toilet bowl.

2 a ~ 2 Various water-saving configurations of these basic disposal systems have been advanced over the years. In U.S. Patents 2,166,944 (Duner), 2,552,546 (Fergusson), and 4,797,959 (Decaux), the toilet bowls disclosed therein rotate upward, and in U.S. Patent 763,246 (Bender), a bottom of the toilet bowl S drops downward to allow water and waste to drain by gravity from the bowl to a sewer line. These systems, however, are undesirable for residential use since waste may not be completely flushed from the bowl and odors may escape from the sewer line when the bowl is in a raised position. In addition, it is burdensome for a user to rotate the bowl upward after use. In IJ.S. Patent 4,~87,616 (Arment), a toilet bowl and wasteline are configured to cause water to flow in avortex fashion, thus inducing the flow of water through the wasteline and reducing the amount of flush water required to initiate a flush cycle. In U.S. Patent 3,302,216 (Fulton), a lower portion of a deformable, flexible wasteline is pressed against an upper portion thereof to close off the wasteline and prevent water from flowing from the toilet bowl. To initiate the flushing cycle, the lower portion is released to open the wasteline so that water drains therethrough to a sewer line.
The wasteline in Fulton also includes an expand~ble portion which allows such movement of the lower portion.
Other waste disposal systems are vertically adjustable to allow convenient and comfortable use by people of various heights and handicapped or motion-impaired people. A vertically adjustable toilet bowl is especially convenient for wheelchair users who must transfer themselves from a relatively high wheelchair onto the toilet bowl seat. It is desirable for such users to be able to raise the bowl and seat to approximately the same height as the wheelchair seat so they can easily transfer themselves from one seat to the other, and then lower the toilet bowl to a comfortable position for use. Some experts such as Alexander Kira recommend lowering the toilet bowl to a semi-squat position several inches below the height of most standard adult toilet bowls ~approx. 10-11" from the floor). Such systems are typically adjusted by hand operated jacks, hydraulic pressure, electric motors, and various other types of mechanical devices, gears, 3 2 0 ~

and linkages. The systems disclosed in U.S. Patents 3,914,806 (Pearce), 3,925,833 (Hunter), 4,168,552 (Austin), 4,185,335 (Alvis), and 4,777,671 (Kearns~, include a height-adjustable seat which is moveable relative to a conventional toilet bowl. The toilet bowls and wastelines in these systems are not vertically adjustable.
Austin discloses a lift mechanism including a motor which raises the seat through a drive shaft, a plurality of pulleys and belts, drive and bevel gears, and a pair of screw jacks. In U.S. Patent 2,817,094 a essley), a lavatory is vertically adjusted by a motor in conjunction with a pair of bevel gear assemblies and a pair of screw elements. Lessley also discloses flexible water lines and a collapsible conduit secured at one end to a drain opening in the lavatory and at the other end to a conventional gooseneck trap. In U.S. Patent 3,486,175 (Schwartz),a lavatory is mounted on a frame which is vertically moveable in a stationary frame. Schwartz also discloses a telescoping drain pipe and flexible water supply lines.
A height adjustable sanitary unit is disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,441,218 ~Trybom). The Trybom unit includes a toilet bowl and water tank mounte~ to a trolley frame which rides venically on a stationary frame. Trybom also discloses a flexible hose interconnecting an angled tube and a sewer line. In U.S. Patent 4,091,473 (Mathews et al.), an adjustable toilet is disclosed in which the toilet is raised and lowered by an electrically driven motor in conjunction with a chain and sprocket assembly and a pair of worm gears conn.~cted to threaded bearings. Mathews also discloses a flexible water inlet supply line and wasteline to accommodate the vertical movement of the toilet. ~n addition, a height adjustable toilet bowl is disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,726,079 (Signori) which includes an extensible pipe interposed between an outlet pipe and a discharge duct.

In conventional waste disposal systems, a toilet is generally fixed in a static in-use position on a floor or extending outward from a wall. Such an arrangement occupies considerable space and is undesirable in compact bathrooms.

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Wheelchair users may find it esp~ially di~ficult to maneuver in such a crowded environment in order to reach various bathroom type appliances, such as lavatories or bathtubs. In addition, the manual cleaning of a toilet bowl is an inconvenient and undesirable task. To avoid these inconveniences, a number of prior art references disclose a toilet bowl which is rotatable ~rom a lowered horizontal position to a raised vertical position, and self-washing means for cleaning the bowl when it is in the raised position.
Typically, prior art patents disclose toilet bowls which are rotatably connected to a wasteline by a swivel joint, or wherein one segment of a wasteline is rotatably connected to ans3ther segment of the wasteline by a swivel joint toaccommodate rotation of the bowl. Waste disposal systems of this type are disclosed in U.S. Patents 1~560,386 (Langston), 2,188,562 (Anderson et al.), 2,552,546 (Fergusson), 2,794,988 (Colonna), 3,919,726 (Godwin), 4,196,480, and 4,366,584 (McHuma). Other types of rotatable toilet bowls merely rotate relative to an open wasteline or receptacle, such as those disclosed in U.S. Patents 1,225,914 (Wood), 2,611,134 (Jarrett), 2,750,599 (Colonna), 2,879,519 (Mueller)) 3,829,906 (McPhee), and 4,797,959 (Decaux). In U.S. Patent 2,219,437 (Anderson et al.), flexible tubing allows the toilet bowl to rotate between a raised and lowered position. The disposal systems disclosed in Jarrett, Colonna ('599), McPhee, and Godwin provide self-cleaning means for washing the bowl when in the raised position. In regard to mechanisms for rotating the toilet bowl, Colonna ('599) discloses a spring which assists rotation of the bowl and acounterspring which prevents the bowl from rotating too rapidly. In U.S. Patent 3,436,764 (Colonna), a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder is disclosed which limitsthe rate of rotation of the toilet bowl.
To assist the aged or disabled ;n getting on and of~ a toilet seat and to provide a side support when seated, some systems have armrests which are rotatable between a horizontal and vertical position. Such armrests are disclosed in U.S. Patents 3,969,778 (Richards) and 4,196,480 ((:;uenther). Richards discloses an armrest structure in which the armrests are manually rotated upward 2 ~ 2 and a seat rotates upward therewith. Guenther discloses a pair of armrests whichare independently rotatable between a raised and lowered position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVl~NTION
Briefly stated, the invention is directed to a sanitary waste disposal system for use with a water supply and a sewer line. The system includes carrierframe vertically movable within an outer frame. A toilet bowl is connected to the carrier frame and has an inlet opening for receiving water frorn a water supply and a discharge opening for draining water therefrom. Means for guiding and vertically moving the carrier frame within the outer frame are provided. In addition, means for supplying water to the toilet bowl inlet opening are adapted to accommodate for changes in the height of the toilet bowl. To receive the toilet bowl for washing, a cabinet is positioned substantially above and behind the toilet bowl. The cabinet has side walls and a back wall which define an interior chamber, and wash means extend into the cabinet chamber. The toilet bowl is rotatable from a substantially horizontal lowered position to a raised position in which at least a portion of the bowl is inside the interior chamber of the cabinet.
Retractable cover means conceal the interior chamber of the cabinet when the toilet bowl is in the lowered position. In addition, a wasteline is in fluid flow communication with the toilet bowl outlet opening and the sewer line. The wasteline is moveable to accommodate for changes in the height of the toilet bowl and rotation of the toilet bowl. At least a portion of the wasteline is moveablebetween a raised trap-forming position and a lowered drain position to flush waste from the toilet bowl. In the raised position, an underside of said portion is higher than the discharge opening to maintain a desired level of water in the toilet bowl and block odors from the sewer line. In the lowered position, the underside of said portion is at least lower than said level of water in the toilet bowl to create a pressure differential which induces flow to the sewer line. Means for moving thewasteline between the raised and lowered positions are also provided.
Furthermore, a pair of spaced apart, rotatable armrests are positioned above the 2 ~ 3.~

toilet bowl when the bowl is in the lowered position and are pivotable about a horizontal axis. The armrests cooperate with the toilet bowl such that they rotate upward when the toilet bowl is raised. In addition, the loweAng of an armrest lowers the toilet bowl.
In a preferred embodiment of the sanitary waste disposal system, the means for moving the carrier fMme are positioned adjacent an upper portion of the outer frame. The means for moving the carrier frame preferably includes a motor-driven jack screw having an end rotatably attached to the upper portion ofthe outer frame and an opposite end portion adapted to threadably mate with an aperture in the carrier frame. Cover means are adapted to move with the carrier frame to conceal the outer frame and any exposed components therein. Preferably,the cover means includes upper and lower collapsible bellows having a width substantially the same as the outer frame. In addition, the armrests are rotatable independently of the toilet bowl and independently of each other when the bowl is in the lowered position The portion of the wasteline moveable between the trap-forming and drain positions is preferably rigid and rotatable, and a non-extensible, flexible portion of the wasteline is connected at one end to the rigid portion and at theother end to the sewer line. The flexible portion of the wasteline preferably includes a substantially straight first segment e;~tending at an angle laterally and downwardly away from the rigid portlon of the wasteline, and a substantially straight second segment extending at an angle laterally and downwardly from saidfirst segment in substantially the opposite direction. Ihus, the angle between the first and second segments increases when the toilet bowl is raised to a desired elevation and decreases when the toilet bowl is lowered to a desired elevation.
Preferably, means are provided for regulating the supply of water to the toilet bowl inlPt opening and for substantially simultaneously moving the wasteline between the raised trap-forming and lowered drain positions. The meansfor supplying water to the toilet bowl preferably comprises a water tank having an inlet for receiving water from a water supply and an outlet for drain;ng water from 7 2 0 ~

the tank. A flexible water inlet supply line is connected at one end to the water supply and at the other end to the water tank inlet, and a flexible flush water line is connected at one end to the water tank ou~et and at the other end to the toilet bowl inlet opening. The means for regulating the supply of water to the toilet bowl inlet opening preferably includes a conventional flow control valve and a fill valve. The flow control valve communicates with the water tank outlet and is moveable between an open position which permits the flow of water out of the water tank and a closed position which blocks the flow of water ~rom the water tank. The~fill valve communicates;with the water inlet supply line and is movable between an open position and a closed position in response to a change in water pressure in the water tank to control the supply of water to the tank. The meansfor moving the wasteline substantially simultaneously with the regulation of thewater supply preferably comprises a linkage assembly, latch means, and a buoyantmass. The linkage assembly is connected at one end to the wasteline and at another end to the flow sontrol valve, the latch means communicates with the linkage assembly to releasably retain the wasteline in the raised position, and the buoyant mass is disposed interiorly of the water tank and is movable in response to changes in the relative height of the water level therein.
In operation, actuation of the latch means results in coordinated movement of the linkage assembly to open the flow control valve and lower the wasteline, thus allowing water to drain from the tank to the toilet bowl and permithng wat~r and waste to drain from the toilet bowl to the sewer line. The buoyant mass descends with the water level in the tank and communicates with thelinkage assembly, resulting in the coordinated movement of the linkage assembly to raise the wasteline and engage the latch means, whereby the wasteline is retained in the raised position until the next flushing cycle and a desired level of water in the toilet bowl is maintained.
Thus, an attractive, safe and convenient sanitary waste disposal system is provided which conserves water and includes self-washing and drying 2 ~ 0 ~

means, a retractable bidet, and a vertically adjustable, rotatable toilet bowl and armrests.
The present invention, together with further objects and advantages, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPrIOM OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGUR~ I is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention showing a ~ilet bowl and various components in a lowered vertical position with one armrest rotated to a raised position.
FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the invention in Figure 1 showing a sanitizing bin receptacle in an open position and the toilet bowl and armrests rotated to a raised position.
FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the invention in Figures 1 and 2 showing the toilet bowl and various components in a raised ver~cal position withthe armrests and toilet bowl rotated to a lowered position.
FIGUR8 4 is a front view of a vertically adjustable frame structure of the invention shown with various components removed for clarity, the frame structure including a carrier frame, various support members, and a jack screw assembly positioned within an outer frame.
FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view of the frame structure taken along the line 5-~ in Figure 4.
FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary, exploded front view, partially in cross-section, of the jack screw assembly shown in Figures 4 and 5.
FIGURl~ 7 is a cross-sectional view of the frame structure taken along the line 7-7 in Figure 4.
FIGURE 8 is a front view of the invention showing various panels and bellows attached to the frame structure with several components removed for clarity.

2a~3~

FIGURES 9-11 are cross-sectional views of the invention taken along the lines 9-9, 10-10, and 11-11 in Figure 8 with various components removed for clarity.
FI(~URE 12 is a fragmenta~y front view of the carrier fMme, a raised and lowered armrest, and means for rotatably mounting the armrests and toilet bowl to the carrier frame.
FIGURl~ 13 is a fragmentary side view of the components in Figure 12 with the toilet bowl shown in a lowered position.
FIGURE 14 is a fragmentary side view of the components in ~igures 12 and 13 showing the toilet bowl and both armrests in lowered positions.

FIGURE 15 is a fragmentary side view of the components in Figures 12-14 showing the toilet bowl and both armrests in raised positions.
PIGURE~ 16 is a front view of the invention with various components removed showing the carrier frame, a cabinet, a bidet control panel, and a sanitizing bin receptacle.
PIGUR~ 17 is a cross-sectional view of the components in Figure 16 taken along the line 17-17 and showing the toilet bowl in a lowered position and a cover in a forward position.
F'IGURE 18A is a front view of the cabinet and cover shown in FIGURE 17.
FIGURE 18E~ is a cross-sectional view of the cabinet and carrier frame taken along the line 18-18 in Figure 16.
FIGIJRE 19 is a front view of the components in Figures 1~-18 showing the toilet bowl in a raised position.
2S ~I~URE 20 is a cross-sectional view of the components in Figure 19 taken along the line 20-20 and showing the toilet bowl in a raised position and the cover in a retracted position.
FIGURE 21 is a front view of the flushing mechamsm of the invention shown with various components removed for clarity.

g FIGURE 22 is a side view of the components shown in Figure 21 with a side wall of an outer frame remo~ed for clarity.
FI~URE 23 is a front view of the invention showing the carrier ~rame and some of its connected components in a vertically raised position within the outer frame.
PIGURE 24 is a cross-sectional view of the invention taken along the line 24-24 in Figure 21 and shown with various components removed for clarity.
~FIGURE 25 is an exploded ~ront view, partially in cross-section, of a water tank and various components therein as shown in Figures 21-24.
FIGURF, 26 is a side view, partially in cross-section, of the water tank and va~ous components shown in Figure 25.
FIGURE 27 is a top view of the water tank and various components shown in Figures 25 and 26.
FIGURE 28 is a perspective view of the water tank and various components shown in Figures 25-27.
l~IG U RE5 29-31 are exploded, fragmentary side views of latch means of the flushing mechanism in Figures 21-24 showing the latch means in various engaged and disengaged positions.
FIGURE 32 is a an exploded, fragmentary side view of the latch means in l;igures 29-31 shown with the toilet bowl rotated to a raised position.FIG U RES 33-42 are front and side views of the flushing mechanism with various components removed for clarity to show the operation of the flushing mechanism and bidet.
PIGURES 43-44 are front and side views of the flushing mechanism with various components removed for clarity to show the operation of a linkage assembly during a failure mode.
FI13UR~ 4S is a top view of the toilet bowl.
FIGURES 46-48 are cross-sectional views of the toilet bowl taken along the lines 46-46, 47-47, and 48-48 in Figure 45.

-11 2~ 2 DETAILED DESCl;~IPTION OF THE PRE~E~ED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to the drawings, Figures 1-3 show a preferred embodiment of a sanitary waste disposal system indicated generally at 50 as installed in a recess formed in a wall 51 of a bathroom. The disposal system 50 includes a toilet bowl 52, a pair of armrests 54, an upper front panel 56, lowerfr~nt panels 58, a shelf panel 60 having a shelf 62 mounted thereto, a sanitizing bin receptacle 63, a bidet control panel 64, a spray head assembly 65, a cabinetcover 66, and flush pads 67. The foregoing components of the d;sposal system 50 are attached to a carrier frame 68 which is vertically moveable within an outer frame 70 (shown in Figures 4-23). The outer ~rame 70 is preferably positioned completely within a recess in the wall 51, although it can extend outwardly therefrom or be mounted to the exterior of an existing wall. In addition, upper and lower collapsible bellows 7~ and 74 are attached to the outer frame 70 and the panels 56 and 58 to completely conceal the space therebetween when the carrier frame and panels are in a lowered or raised vertical position, as shown in Figures 1 and 3. Thus, an attractive disposal system is provided which allows a user to move the toilet bowl 52 to a desired vertical position while maintaining the armrests 54 in a comfortable position relative to the bowl. The armrests 54 are also independently rotatable as shown in Figure 1 to provide easy access to the toilet bowl 52, and the toilet bowl 52 is rotatable to a vertical position as shown in Figure 2 fur self-washing or to provide more space in a bathroom. The toilet bowl 52 is preferably provided wi~h an inset handle 53 for a person to grab whenrotating the bowl.
In Figures 4-7, the carner frame 68 is shown positioned within the outer frame 70. The outer frame 70 includes vertical side walls 76 having a plurality of holes 77 therein, rear flanges 78 extending inward from rear edges thereof, and front flanges 80 extending inward from front edges thereof. A
bottom tray 82 is positioned horizontally between the side walls 76 and includes a bottom horizontal plate 84 having a hole therein (not shown), a vertical rear plate 86 bearing against the rear flanges 78, and a vertical front plate 88 positioned in 2 ~

front of the ~ront flanges 80 of the side walls 76 to create a space 90 therebetween. The outer frame 70 can comprise any suitable configuration which is mountable within a wall an~ adapted to support the weight of the carrier frame 68 and its connected components. The outer frame 70 can also be configured in various ways to provide sufficient bearing surfaces for retaining the carrier frame 68 and its connected components when they are stationary as well as during vertical movement thereof.
Preferably, a top cross-member 92 is positioned horizontally between the side walls 76 and includes a horizontal plate 94 adjacent an uppermost edge of the side walls, a vertical front plate 96 bearing against the front flanges 80, and a vertical rear plate 98 bearing against the rear flanges 78 of the sidewalls 76. The ~ront plate 96 has a horizontal flange 100 extending inward therefrom and the rear plate 98 has a protuberance 102 extending inward therefrom. An anchor member 104 is positioned horizontally between the front plate 96 and rear plate 98 in approximately the longitudinal center thereof and perpendicular thereto. The anchor member 104 preferably includes a horizontal top plate 106 having an hole therein (not shown), first vertical flanges 108 extending upward from each end of the top plate 106, second vertical flanges 110depending from side edges of the top plate 106, third vertical flanges 112 extending inward from ends of the second vertical flanges 110, and horizontal flanges 114 extending outward from the second vertical flanges 110. The horizontal flanges 114 rest on the horizontal flange 100 of the front plate 96, and the first and third vertical fianges 1û8 and 112 are secured to the front plate 96 and rear plate 98 of the top cross-member 92 by conventional fastening means such as rivets, bolts, screws, or the like. The outer frame 70 and anchor member104 can be configured in any manner which allows the anchor member 104 to be mounted to an upper portion of the outer ~rame 70 such that at least a portion of the anchor member 104 nearly overlies the substantial center of a space defined by the outer frame 70.

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To allow rotation of a jack screw 120 which supports the carrier frame 68 and provides means ~or vertically moving the carrier frame 68, a thrustbearing assembly 116 is mounted to the top plate 106 of the anchor member 104.
Ihe jack screw 120 has a pulley 122 attached to a top port;on thereof and extends downward through a collar 124 which is secured within the hole (not shown) in the top plate 106. A rnotor 126, preferably 1/6 HP, is mounted to the rear plate98 of the top cross-member 92 and includes a shaft 128 extending vertically upward therefrom. The shaft 128 has a pulley (not shown~ attached thereto at approximately the same height as the jack screw pulley 122. To rotate the screw 120, a belt 130 cooperates with the motor pulley and the jack screw pulley 122 when the motor is actuated. Other means can be provided for supporting the caITier frame 68 and moving the carrier frame vertically, such as using hydraulic pressure or the like to drive a plurality of jacks or various other types of mechanical devices, gears, and linkages. However, the use of an electric motor to drive a single jaclc screw which is centrally located therein and attached to the c~ier frame 68 at a single location pr~vides a safe, reliable, easlly maintainable system which requires little space and can fit within the compact outer frame 68.
As will be appreciated in the following description, such a configuration also increases the range of vertical movement of the carrier frame 68 and toilet bowl52 sincç the jack screw 120 and motor 126 are positioned in a top portion of theouter frame 70 which provides more clearance below the toilet bowl 52 and allowsthe bowl to be lowered to approximately two inches from a floor.
The car~ier frame 68 includes a pair of spaced apart vertical suppor~
members 132 parallel to and spaced apart from the sid~ walls 76, a horizontal carriage member 134, an upper panel support bracket 135, a lower panel support bracket 136, a middle cross-member 138, and a bottom horizontal cross-piece 140.Ihe support members 132 preferably include a rectangular bottom portion 142 spanning the width of the side walls 76 and extending beyond the front flanges 80 thereof, and a triangular upper portion 144 having a top portion positioned approximately in the center of the side wall width. The bottom portions 142 have vertical rear flanges 146 and vertical front flanges 148 extending outward therefrom for the attachment of various components thereto. The upper portions 144 also have rear flanges 150 and vextical front flanges 152 extending outward therefrom for securing various components thereto. In addition, feet 154 extend laterally outward from the bottom of the support members 132 and bear against the bottom cross-piece 140, vertical flanges 156 extend inward from the top portion of the support members for attachment to the carriage member 134, and a plurality of tabs 158 extend inward ~rom vanous locations thereon ~or attachmentof vanous components thereto.
The bottom cross-piece 140 is mounted to the rear flanges 146 of the support members 132 and has ears 160 extending laterally therefrom.
Bushings such as polyethylene ~ape or the like (not shown~ are secured to the ears 160 and bear against the rear flanges 78 of the side walls 76. Thus, the load onthe carrier frame 68 resulting from various components attached thereto and froma person sitting on the toilet bowl 52 is distributed through the support memberfeet 154, along the length of the cross-piece ears 160, and is bornè by the rearflanges 78 of the outer frame side walls 76. In addition, the rear flanges 146 guide the entire carrier frame 68 when it is being moved to a desired vertical position.
The middle cross-member 138 has a horizontal back plate 162, a middle plate 164 extending upward from the back plate 162 at an angle toward thefront of the support members 132, and a front plate 166 extending upward from the mis~dle plate 164 at an angle toward the front of the support members 132.
The i~ront plate 166 has a middle front edge portion 168 which is substantially horizontal, and lateral front edge portions 170 which angle upward from the middle edge portion 168 toward the support members 132. In addition, a pluralityof tabs 172 extend perpendicularly from side edges of the cross-member 138 for mounting the cross-member to the support members 132 of carrier frame 68 with conventional fasteners.

2 ~

The ca~riage member 134 includes a vertical plate 174 perpendicular to the outer frame side w~lls 76, a horizontal flange 176 extending forward from a bottom edge of the plate 174, vertical side pieces 178 extending perpendicularlyforward from the ends of plate 174 and upwardly from the ends of flange 176, andS a bracket assernbly 180 attachesl to a back surface 182 of the plate 174. The vertical plate 174 is mounted to the vertical flanges 156 of the carrier frame support members 132, and a front edge 184 of horizontal flange 176 is adjacent the plane of the front flanges 80 of the outer frame side walls 76. As best shown in Figures 6 and 7, the bracket assembly 180 has a pair of spaced apart slabs 186 attached to the plate 174, flanges 188 extending outward from the slabs 186, and a top wall 190 attached to the flanges 188 and having a hole 192 therein. A nut 194 is secured to the top wall 190 within the hole 192 and mates with the jack screw120. Thus, rotation of the jack screw 120 in one direction raises the entire calTier frame 68 vertically and rotation of the jack screw 12û in the opposite directionlowers the carrier frame 68 vertically.
The upper panel support bracket 135 is mounted to the carriage member 134 and includes a first horizontal flange 196, a vertical flange 198 depending from the first flange 196, and a second horizontal ~lange 200 extending forward from the vertical flange 198 and having a protuberance 202 extending upward therefrom to create a channel 204. The ~Irst horizontal flange 196 is mounted to an underside of the carriage member flange 176, extends to the plane of the front flanges 80 of the outer frame side walls 76, and spans the distancebetween the side walls 76. To restrain the carrier frame 68 from moving forward and to guide the carrier frame within the outer frame 70, end portions 206 of the vertical flange 198 bear against an inner surface 208 of the side wall front flanges 80. In addition, the width of the second horizontal flange 200 is less than the distance between the side wall front flanges 80 to provide clearance therebetween.
The carrier frame 68 can comprise any configuration which provides attachment points for the nurnerous components which move therewith, while providing sufficient clearance for the components to be positioned inside the outer 2`,8~

frame 70. It i5 desirable iFor the carrier frame 68 to have at least an upper portion positioned near the center of the space created by the outer frame 70 for attachment to the jack screw 120. Such positioning insures that any moment forces acting on the carrier frame 68 are relatively small. The carrier frame 68S can also be configured in any suitable fashion which provides sufficient bearing surfaces for offsetting any moment forces acting thereon and allowing vertical movement within the outer frame 70. In Pigures 8~ the upper front panel 56, lower front panels 58, shelf panei 60, and upper and lower bellows 72 and 74 areshown connected to the carrier frame 68 and outer frame 70. In addition, a top panel 210 is mounted to the front plate 96 of the outer frame top cross-member 92, and side panels 212 are removably mounted to the outer frame side walls 76.
The side panels 212 have a front edge 214 extending forward past the side wall front flanges 80 to approximately the front plate 88 of the outer frame bottom tray 82. The side panels 212 also have a plurality of inserts 216 extending inward therefrom which fit inside a portion of the side wall holes 77 for securing the side panels to the side walls 76. The side panels 212 can be mounted to the outer frame 70 by any conventional fastening means, although the foregoing configuration is desirable because it provides access to the inside of the outerframe 70 by simply removing the panels 212 and exposing the holes 77 in the outer frame side walls 76.
The upper and lower bellows 72 and 74 are substantially planar and have a plurality of horizontal creases therein to allow the bellows to expand and collapse. Preferably, the bellows 72 and 74 are made of flexible polyvinyl chloride. A top vertical portion 218 of the upper bellows 72 is positioned between the top panel 210 and the front plate 96 of the outer frame top cross-member 92 and is attached thereto by conventional fasteners such as bolts, screws or the like.
A bottom horizontal portion 220 of the upper bellows 72 is sandwiched between the horizontal flange 176 of the carriage member 134 and the upper panel supportbracket 135. Thus, the upper bellows 72 collapses when the carrier frame 68 is raised and expands when the carrier frame 68 is lowered to completely conceal the space between the upper front panel 56 and top panel 210 when the carrier frame and its eonnected components are in any vertical position. In addition, a plurality of circuit boards (not shown) and covers 222 are connected to the vertical plate174 of the carriage member 134.
The shelf panel 60 preferably includes a top wall 224 having an opening therein (not shown), a bottom wall 226, and an inwardly curving back wall228 having side portions 230 adjacent the front edges 214 of the side panels212. The shelf 62 is mounted to the back wall 228, and a plurality of threaded inserts 231 extend realwardly from the back wall 228 for attachment to the frontflanges 152 of the carrier frame support members 132 by conventional fasteners.
In addition, tabs 232 extend upward from the top wall 224 and vertical flanges 234 extend rearwardly from the side portions 230 of the back wall 228. The vertical flanges 234 of shelf panel 60 bear against an inner surface 236 of the side panels 212 to restrain the carrier frarne 68 from lateral movement and guide the carrier frame 68 when it is moving in a vertical direction. A light assembly 238 is mounted to the shelf panel top wall 224 and is positioned within the opening therein to provide light in a downward direction. The light assembly 238 includes a bottom lens 240, a curved top reflector 242 positioned above the lens 240 and attached thereto, and a light 244 positioned between the reflector 242 and the lens 240. The shelf panel 60 can be any suitable shape and can include any number of shelves, partitions, drawers, receptacles, cabinets or the like.
The upper front panel 56 preferably has an outwardly curving front wall 246, a ~op hook portion 248, a bottom horizontal flange 250, a plurality ofinserts 252 extending inward from a lower portion of the front wall 246, and vertical side flanges 254. To removably secure the upper front panel 56 to the carrier frame 68, the hook portion 248 is placed within the channel 204 of the upper panel support bracket 135, and the inserts 252 mate with the top wall 224 and bear against the tabs 232 of the shelf panel 60. The side flanges 254 of theupper front panel 56 also bear against the inner surface 236 of the side panels 212 to restrain the carrier frame 68 from lateral movement and guide the carrier frame 2 ~ 2 68 when it is moving in a vertical direction. In addition, the top hook portion 248 and the side flanges 254 of the upper front panel 56 prevent the carrier frame 68 from moving rearwardly within the outer frame 70.
1'he lower front panels 58 are spaced apart and include a front wall S 256 having an outwardly curved upper portion 258, an outwardly curved lower portion 260, a horizontal top flange 262, a horizontal bottom cross-piece 263 attached to the lower portis)ns 260, and vertical side flanges 264. The front walls 256 have vertical inner edge portions 266 adjacent sides of the sanitizing bin receptacle 63 and bidet control panel 64 (shown in Figures 1-3, 16-17, 19-20), and partially curved inner edge portions 268 which form an opening 270 the same shape as and slightly larger than the toilet bowl 52 for receiving the bowl when it is rotated to a raised position (as shown in Figure 2~. A rear surface of the lower panels 58 bears against the bottom wall 226 of the shelf panel 60, and the side flanges 264 bear against the inner surface 236 of the side panels 212 to restrain the carrier frame 68 from lateral movement and guide the carrier frame 68 when it ismoving in a vertical direction. The upper portion 258 of the front wall 256 alsohas uMer inserts 272 and lower inserts 274 extending inward therefrom. The upper inserts 272 are mounted to a vertical portion 276 of the lower panel support bracket 136, and the lower inserts 274 are mounted to the front flanges 148 of the carrier frame support mernbers 132 by conventional fasteners to secure the frontpanels 58 to the carrier frame 68. In addition~ the upper portions 258 of the front walls256 have a receded portion 278 for receiving the armrests 54 when they are rotated to a vertical position (Figures 1 and 2), and an elongated aperture 280 therethrough adjacent a bottom of the receded portion 278 for receiving the flush pads (Figures 1-3). To provide clearance for various components connected to thetoilet bowl 52, the curved lower portions 260 of the front wall 256 extend outward.
As best showri in Figures 7-11, the lower portions 260 have a bottorn horizontal face 282, an inwardly facing end 284, and a vertical flange 286 depending therefrom. The lower bottom cross-piece 263 includes a horizontal slab - 19 - 2 ~ 2 288, a middle vertical flange 290 depending from a middle portion of slab 288, lateral vertical flanges 292 extending upward from lateral portions of slab 288, and side vertical flanges 294 extending upward from ends of slab 288 and outward toward thc outer frame sidç walls 76. The side flanges 294 bear against the rearS surface 208 of the outer frame front flanges 80 to prevent the carrier frame 68 from moving forward and guide the carrier frame 68 when it is moving in a vertical direction. The lateral flanges 292 are mounted to the inwardly facing end 284 of the ~ront wall lower portions 260. The lower bellows 74 are positioned inside the space 90 created by the front plate 88 of the bottom tray 82 and the outer frame front flanges 80. A bottorn portion of the lower bellows 74 is attached to the front plate 88 and a top portion thereof is attached to the slab 288 of the bottom cross-piece 263. Thus, the lower bellows 74 expand when the carrier frame 68 is raised and collapse when the carrier frame 68 is lowered to completely conceal the space between the front plate 88 of the bottom tray 82 and the lower front panels 58 when the carrier frame and its connected components are in any vertical position. When the carrier frame and its connected components are in a lowermost position, the lower bellows 74 are essentially collapsed within the space 90 and the lower portions 260 of the lower panel front walls are adjacent a top edge of the bottom tray front plate 88.
Any type of cover, panel, or device can occupy the space between the lower front panels 58 and the upper bellows 72, such as a single cabinct or a front panel of a desired con~lguration, as long as it is attached to the carrier frame 68 and moveable therewith.
In operation of the vertically moveable aspect of the invention, the motvr 126 is actuated by control means (not shown) to rotate the jack screw 120 in a desired direction. The rotation of the jack screw 120 within the nut 194 in the carrier frame carriage member 134 moves the entire carrier frame 68 and its connected components in a corresponding vertical direction. Rotation of the jackscrew 120 in the opposite direction moves the carrier frame 68 and its connectedcomponents in the opposite vertical direction. The upper bellows 72 collapses and 2 ~
- 2() -the lower bellows 74 sxpands when the carrier fMme 68 is raised, and the upper bellows 72 expands and the lower bellows 74 collapses when the canier frame 68 is lowered. Thus, the space between the upper front panel 56 and top panel 210, and the space between the lower front panels 58 and the floor are completely concealed when the carrier frame and its connected components are in any vertical position.
To restrain the carrier frame 68 from moving rearwardly and to guide the carrier frame within the outer frame 70, the ears 160 of the carrier frame bottom cross-piece 140 bear against the rear flanges 78 of the outer frameside walls 76. In addition, the top hook portion 248 of the upper front panel 56 is positioned in the channel 204 of the upper panel support bracket 135 to prevent the carrier frame 68 from moving rearwardly within the outer frame 70.
To restrain the carrier frame 68 from moving forwardly and also to guide the carrier frame within the outer frame 70, the end portions 20S of the upper panel support bracket vertical flange 198 and the side flanges 294 of the lower front panel bottom cross-piece 263 bear against the rear surface 208 of the outer frame front flanges 80.
To restrain the carrier frame 68 from lateral movement and further guide the carrier frame when it is moving in a vertical direction, the vertical flanges 234 of shelf panel 60, the side flanges 254 of the upper front panel 56, and the side flanges 264 of the lower ~ront panel 58 bear against the inner surface 236 of the side panels 212.
Figures 12-15 show the toilet bowl 52 and armrests 54 attached to the carrier frame 68 and rotated to horizontal and vertical positions. A seat 298 is rotatably attached to the toilet bowl 52, and the toilet bowl 52 is rotatable between a horizontal position and a vertical position in which a bottom surface 300 of the bowl 52 is substantially vertical and a side surface 302 is adjacent the inner edge portions 268 of the lower front panels 58 (Figures 2 and 8). A pair of support braces 304 are mounted to the carrier frame support members 132 and include downwardly extending portions 306. The downwardly extending portions 306 have a curved notch 308 formed therein defined by a side wall 309, a curved top wall 310, a curved bottom wall 312, a front wall 314, and a back wall 316. A
support plate 318 is mounted to the toilet bowl 52 at attachment points 320 and has ears 322 and bars 324 extending laterally outward from opposite sides thereof.
The bars 324 are rotatably attached to the downwardly extending portions 306 of the support braces 304, and the ears 322 slidably fit within the support brace Mdial notches 308. Bushings (not shown) are seated at the bases of the bars 324 to restrain the toilet bowl 52 from lateral movement. In addition, the front walls 314 of notches 308 act as a stop for retaining the toilet bowl 52 in the horizontal position when rotated downward (Figures 12-15), and the back walls 316 of notches 308 act as a stop for preventing the rearward rotation of the bowl 52 past the veItical position ~Figure 15). To limit the rate at which the toilet bowl 52rotates and to absorb most of the rotational moment of the bowl 52, a shock absorber such as a gas spring 326 or the like is provided. The gas spring 326 includes a pressurized pneumatic cylinder 328 and a piston 332. An end 330 of the cylinder 328 is connected to the carrier frame support member 132, and an end 334 of piston 332 is connected to a corresponding arm 336 which extends radiallyoutward from an end 338 of each bar 324 in a generally rearward direction.
The armrests 54 are independently rotatable between a horizontal position extending forward from the carrier frame 68 above the toilet bowl 52 and a vertical position within the lower ~ront panel receded portions 278 (Figures 8and 9). Both armrests 54 automatically rotate upward when the toilet bowl 52 is rotatecl upward, and the toilet bowl 52 can be rotated downward by pulling either armrest 54 downward. The armrests 54 are mo~mted to a pair of armrest support braces 340 which are attached to the carrier frame support members 132. The braces 340 include a wedge-shapeci vertical plate 342 having a horizontal flange344, a curved flange 346, and a vertical flange 348 extending perpendicularly outward therefrom. Upper radial flanges 350 also extend perpendicularly outward from the plates 342 in a position spaced apart from and at an angle relative to the vertical flanges 348. In addition, tabs 352 extend outward from the plate 342 for 2 ~ 2 mounting the braces 340 to the carrier frame support members 132 by conventional fasteners (not shown).
The armrests 54 include an arm 354 having an end formed as a handle 356 cmd a shoulder 358 extending inwardly at an angle from a hub portion 360 thercof and perpendicularly outward from the arms 354. The hub portions 360 are rotatably attached to posts 34S protruding outwardly from the armrest support braces 340. The shoulders 358 have a first straight side edge 362 extending substantially tmgentially from the hub portion 360 and a second side edge 364 which e~tends at an angle from substantially the center of the hub portion 360 toward the first side edge 362. Thus, the first side edges 362 of shoulders 358 bear against the horizontal flanges 344 of the brace plates 342 tostop the upward rotation of the armrests 54 past the vertical position (Figures 12, 13 and 15), and the second side edges 364 bear against the radizll flanges 350 to stop the dvwnward rotation of the armrests past the horizontal position (Figures12-14). To assist upward rotation of armrests 54, countersprings 366 are attached at one end to the shoulders 358 and at another end to hooks 368 which extend rearwardly from the front flanges 152 of the carrier frame support members 132.
To automatically rotate both armrests 54 by rotating the toilet bowl 52, or to lower the toilet bowl 52 by pulling the armrests 54 downward, a pair of linkage assemblies 370 are provided. The linkage assemblies 370 include an upperlinkage 372 attached to the armrest shoulders 364, a lower linkage 374 attached to the corresponding arm 336, and a spring 376 positioned between the upper and lower linkages 372 and 374.
In Figures 12 and 13, the toilet bowl 52 is in the lowered position, the gas spring piston 332 is withdrawn in cylinder 328, and the ears 322 of the support plate 318 are bearing against the front walls 314 of the bowl support brace notches 308. One armrest 54 is in the raised position, the counterspring 366 andthe linkage assembly 370 of that armrest are compressed, and the first side edge362 of the armrest shoulder 358 is bearing against the horizontal flange 344 of the 2 ~ 2 armrest support brace plate 342. In addition, the counter spring 366 and linkageassembly 370 of the lowered armrest 54 are fully extended.
In Figure 14, the toilet bowl S2 is in the lowered position as in Figures 12 and 139 and both armrests 54 are iD the lowered position. The countersprings 366 are extended, the linkage assemblies 370 are extended, and the second side edges 364 of the armrest shoulders 358 are bearing against the radial flanges 350 of the armrest support brace plate 342.
In Figure 15, the toilet bowl 52 is in the raised position, the gas spring piston 332 is fully extended, and the ears 322 of the support plate 318 are bearing against the back walls 316 of the bowl support brace notches 308. Both ~mrests 54 have been rotated to the raised position by raising the toilet bowl 52, the countersprings 366 are compressed, the linkage assemblies 370 are fully extended, and the first side edge 362 of the armrest shoulder 358 is bealing against the horizontal flange 344 of the armrest support brace plate 342.
In Figures 16-20, the sanitizing bin receptacle 63, bidet control panel 64, and a cabinet 378 are shown mounted to the carrier frame 68. The cabinet 378 includes vertical side walls 380, a back wall 382, a top wall 384, and a vertical front wall 386 which define an interior chamber 388 for receiving a substantial portion of the toilet bowl 52 when it is rotated to the raised position.
The cabinet side walls 380 are mounted to the carrier frame support members 132,the back wall 382 bears against the middle plate 164 of the carrier fMme middle cross-member 138, and the top wall 384 is secured to the front plate 166 of the m;ddle cross-member 138. The -front wall 386 has an inner edge 390 adjacent the curved inner edge portions 268 of the front panel walls 256 (Figure 9) which forms an opening the same shape and slightly larger than the toilet bowl 52 for receiving the bowl when it is rotated to a raised position (Figures 19 and 20) for washing.
To conceal the cabinet 378 when the toilet bowl 52 is in the lowered position and allow the bowl 52 to rotate to the raised position within the cabinet 378, the cover 66 is pivotally attached to an upper rear portion 392 of the toilet bowl 52 (Figures 17, 18A and 20). The cover 66 is biased in a forward direction by a spring or the like (not shown) and pre~erably includes a front slab 391 and a back slab 393. ThP front slab 391 is approximately the same shape as and slightly smaller than the opening formed by the inner edge 390 of the cabinet front wall 386. The back slab 393 has a similar shape and is higher than the cabinet opening and the front slab 391. Thus, when the toilet bowl 52 is in the lowered position, a top edge portion 395 of the back slab 393 bears against a rea~ surface of the cabinet front wall 386. In this position, the cover 66 is substantially vertical and the front slab 391 is approximately coplanar with the cabinet front wall 386. Inthis position~ the cover 66 is substantially vertical and the front slab 391 is approximately coplanar with the cabinet front wall 386 (Figure 17~. To guide thecover 66 as it moves between this vertical position and a withdrawn position ad~acent the cabinet back wall 382 (Figure 20), an angled guide member 399 is positioned at the juncture of the cabinet front wall 386 and top wall 384, and angled side pieces 401 extend inward from the cabinet side walls 380. During initial rot~tion of the toilet bowl 52 from the lowered position, a top edge 403 of the back slab 393 slidably bears against guide member 401. As rotation of the bowl 52 continues, the top edge 403 separates from the guide member 401, and opposing ears 405 extending laterally from the back slab 393 bear against a rearsurface 407 of side pieces 401 to resume guiding the cover 66 to the withdrawn position.
In all positions, the spray head assembly 65 extends through an aperture 394 formed in the cover 66. The spray head assembly 65 preferably includes a spray head 396 rotatably attached to a shaft 398 which is positioned within a cylindrical sleeve 400 extending horizontally forward from the back wall 382. Preferably, the spray head 396 is positioned within the toilet bowl 52 whenit is in the raised position, as shown in Figure 20.
The cabinet 378 also includes a trough 402 depending from a lower rear portion of the cabinet 378. The trough 402 is defined by the cabinet side walls 380 and back wall 382, a partially sloped bottom wall 404, and a front wall - 25 - 2 ~ ~ $ ~

406 having a lip 408 extending forward at an angle from a top edge 410 thereo-f.To direct water which splashes against the cabinet side walls 380 during washingtoward the trough 402, upwardly extending, curved side gutters 412 extend perpendicularly outward from the top edge 410 of the trough front wall 406. The S side walls 380, back wall 382, and front wall 406 can also slope toward the center of the trough 402 to direct water toward an outlet opening 414 which is formed in a lowermost portion of the side wall 380 and is connected to a drain line 416 influid flow communication with a wasteline 418. The wasteline 418 is connected toa toilet bowl outlet chamber 420 and is in fluid flow communication with a sewerline (not shown~. Thus, water drains from the trough 402, through the outlet opening 414, drain line 416 and wasteline 418, and out the sewer line. The toilet bowl 52 also has blower cavities 422 and outlet ports 424 therein which allow water from within the bowl 52 to drain into the trough 402. In addition, the wash water drains from within the bowl 52, through the bowl outlet chamber 420, and directly into the wasteline 418.
Preferably, the bidet control panel 64 includes a partially curved wail 426 having a temperature control knob 428 and a flow control knob 430 extending outward from an upper portion thereof, an opening in a bottom portion thereof (not shown), and spaced apart, vertical ~ibs 432 extending rearwardly therefrom adjacent side edges of the opening. A top portion 434 of the control panel wall 426 is mounted to the lower panel support bracket 136, and a bottom portion 436 is mounted to the cabinet front wall 386. The sanitizing bin receptacle 63 is pivotable and includes spaced apart side walls 438, a back wall 440, and afront door 442 having a curved handle 444 formed in an upper portion thereof.
The side walls 438 and back wall 440 are shorter than the height of the opening in the contrcl panel wall 426, and the door 442 is approximately the same height asthe opening and wider than the distance between the side walls 438. A bin 446 containing a sanitizing agent is preferably mounted within the receptacle 63 andincludes a back wall 448 extending higher than the receptacle back wall 440 and an outlet opening 450 therein. The receptacle 63 pivots between a closed position - 26 - 2 ~ 2 extending rearwardly from the control panel wall 426 and through the opening therein, and an open position extending forwardly from the wall 426. In the closed pos;tion, the receptacle side walls 438 bear against the ~ibs 432, the receptacle back wall 440 bears against the fron~ edge 168 of the middle cross S member 138, and the door 442 bears against conkol panel wall 426. In the open position, an upper portion of the back wall 448 of the sanitizing bin 446 bears against the control panel wall 426. In both positions, the receptacle 63 securely holds the bin 446 and collects any sanitizing agent leaking therefrom.
A sanitizing agent line 452 and a water supply line 454 are coupled to a single supply line 456 which is in fluid flow communication with the spray head assembly 65. Separate solenoid valves 458 control the flow of fluid from the lines 452 and 4~4 to the supply line 456 to allow a wash cycle in which watcr ismixed with the sanitizing agent and a rinse cycle in which only water is supplied to the spray head assembly 65.
In Figures 21-24, various components for regulating the supply of water to the toilet bowl 52 and substantially simultaneously moving the wasteline 418 are shown connected to the carrier frame 68. A water tank 460 is positioned above the cabinet 378 (~igures 23 and 24) and is mounted to the carrier frame support members 132. As best shown in Figures 25-28, the water tank 460 preferably has an open top 462 and includes a rectangular flush water chamber 464, a water supply chamber 466, and an overflow chamber 468. The flush water chamber 464 is defined by a horizontal bottom wall 470 having an outlet opening 472 in the center thereof, a vertical front wall 474, a vertical back wall 476, a vertical side wall 478, and a vertical intermediate wall 480. The water supply chamber 466 and overflow chamber 468 are defined by the front wall 474, back wall 476, intermediate wall 480, a horizontal bottom wall 482 positioned approximately half-way between the bottom wall 470 of the flush water chamber 464 and the top 462 of the tank 460, and a vertical divider wall 484 positioned at an angle between the front wall 474 and the intermediate wall 480. The water supply chamber 466 is further defined by a side wall 486, and the portion of the 2~9~

bottom wall 482 underlying said chamber has an inlet opening 488 therein. The overflow chamber 468 also includes a top wall 490 having an inlet opening 492 therein. To allow water to drain through the inlet opening 492 rather than overflowing out of the water tank 460, the top wall 490 of the overflow chamber 468 is positioned lower than top edges 496 of the front wall 474, back wall 476,and side walls 478 and 486 of the water tank 460. To allow fluid flow communication between the water supply chamber 466 and flush water chamber 464 during normal operation, a top edge portion 498 of the intermediate wall 480between said chambers is lower than the top wall 490 and inlet opening 492 of the overflow chamber 468. The water tank 460 and chambers therein can comprise various shapes and sizes. For example, the top edge portion 498 of the intermediate wall 480 can be as high as the other walls of the tank 460 and an access opening can be formed therein to allow fluid flow communication between the water supply chamber 466 and the flush water chamber 464. Other means can also be provided for preventing water from overflowing out of the water tank 460, such as connecting an overflow l;ne directly to an outlet formed in an upper portion of the water tank.
A hollow, rectangular, buoyant mass 500 having an open top 502 is positioned within the flush water chamber 464 and is free-floating thereîn in response to changes in the relative height of the water level in the chamber 464.
The length and width of the buoyant mass 500 is slightly less than the length and width of the flush water chamber 464, and the height of the buoyant mass 500 is approximately half that of the chamber 464. The mass 500 includes a front wall 504, a back wall 506, side walls 508, a bottom wall 510 having a hole 512 therein, and a hollow centerpiece 514 extending upward from the bottom wall 510 adjacent an edge 516 of the hole 512. The centerpiece 514 includes a cup-shaped lower section 518 overlying the hole 512, a cylindrical mid-section 522 extending vertically upward from the cup-shaped section 518, and a cylindrical upper section 524 having a smaller diameter than the mid-section 522 and extending vertically upward from a shoulder 526 thereof. The cup-shaped lower section 518 of the ~o~a~

centerpiece 514 receives a plunger 520, which is preferably bell-shaped and madeof rubber. Preferably, the diameters of the hole 512 and a lowermost portion of the cup-shaped section Sl8 are approximately the same as the distance between the front wall 504 and back wall 506 of the buoyant mass 500.
}?eferring again to Figures 21-24, a cover 528 rests on the top edges 496 of the water tank walls and has an aperture 530 therein (Figure 24) overlying the flush water chamber outlet opening 472. A flexible water inlet supply line 532 is connected at one end to a water supply (not shown) and at another end to the inlet opening 488 of the water supply chamber 466. Figure 21 shows the supply line 532 expanded when the carrier frame 68 and its connected components are in the lowered pnsition, and ~igure 23 shows the supply line $32 ~ontracted when the carrier frame 68 and its connected components are in the raised position.
To regulate the flow of water from the water supply to the water supply chamber 466, a fill valve 534 is positioned in chamber 466 and cornmunicates with the water inlet supply ]ine 532. The fill valve 534 is preferably movable between an open position and a closed position in response toa change in pressure in the water supply chamber 466, and can comprise a conventional ballcock valve and float which is responsne to a change in the heiglht of the water in chamber 466. Thus, the fill valve 534 is in the open position when the water level in the water supply chamber 4b6 is relatively low to admit waterinto the chamber, and in the closed position when ~he water level in the chamberis relatively high to block the flow of water into the chamber.
To pass water from the watcr tank 460 to the toilet bowl 52, a flush water line 53~ is connected at a first end 538 to the flush water chamber outletopening 472 and at a second end to a toilet bowl inlet opening (not shown). The flush water line 536 is preferably formed of a flexible material such as neoprene or PVC to accornmodate for rotation of the toilet bowl 52 (not shown), although a rigid flush water line can be connected to the toilet bowl by a swivel joint. The first end 538 of the flush water line 536 forms a seat which sealingly receives a lower portion of the plunger 520 when the water level in the flush water chamber 2 ~

4~ is relatively low. In addition, an overflow line 540 is connected to the first end 538 of the flush water line 536, extends upward through the overflow chamber468, and is coupled to the inlet opening 492 in the overflow chamber top wall 490. The wasteline 418 preferably includes a rigid, curved trap-forming portion 542 rotatably connected to a toilet bowl discharge opening (not shown) by a swivel joint 544 or the like, and a flexible, non-extensible portion 546 connected to a sewer line 548. The flexible portion 546 is preferably constructed of neoprene or silicone rubber, polyvinyl chloride, or other resilient and deformable material. The flexible portion 546 includes a substantially straight first segment 550 extending at an angle laterally and downwardly away from the rigid portion 542 thereof, and a substantially straight second segment 552 extending downward from the first segment 550 in substantially the opposite late~al direction. Thus, the first and second segments 550 and 552 are adjacent each other when the toilet bowl 52 is in a lowermost vertical position (Figures 21-22 and 24), and the angle between said segments increases when the toilet bowl 52 is raised to a desired vertical position (Figure 23).
The wasteline 418 can be configured in various ways to accommodate for rotational and vertical movement of the toilet bowl while providing a moveable trap-forming function. Por example, the entire wasteline can be flexible and the swivel joint can be omitted provided a portion of the wasteline is adequately supported to maintain its relative position when the toilet bowl is in various vertical positions. In addition, the wasteline can comprise adesired number of segments of desired materials as long as a portion of the wasteline is moveable between a raised trap-forming position and a lowered drainposition regardless of the vertical location of the toilet bowl, and as long as the entire wasteline is adapted to accommodate for changes in the height of the toilet bowl and rotation of the bowl. Furthermore, a portion of the wasteline can be extensible and/or telescopic to accommodate for changes in the height of the toilet bowl or rotation of the bowl. Although such modifications can be made to the was~eline 418, the foregoing preferred embodiment provides a greater range of 30 209~2 vertical movement of the toilet bowl 52 while accornmodating for rotation of thebowl and rnaintaining the relative position of the moveable trap-forming portion5~2.
To control the flow of water into the toilet bowl 52 and the flow of S water and waste out of the wasteline 418, a linkage assembly 554 is provided.
The linkage assembly 554 preferably includes a first linkage 556, a second linkage 558, a third linkage 562, a lever 564, a fourth linkage 566, and an elongated, flat bar 568. As best shown in Figures 25 and 26, the first linkage 556 extends upward from the plunger 520 and has a laterally extending end 570 with an eyeletopening therein (not shown) which slidably receiv~s the second linkage 558. The second linkage 558 has a lower, laterally extending end 572 with an eyelet opening therein for slidably receiving the first linkage 556, and a laterally extending projection 574 which is contacted by the shoulder 526 of the buoyant mass 5~
when the water level in the flush water chamber 464 is relatively low. To force the first linkage 556 and plunger 520 upward to prevent a steady state failure mode, which will be described in more detail below, a compression spring 57S
surrounds the first and second linkages 556 and 558 and is interposed between the end 570 of the first linkage and the lower end 572 of the second linkage.
Referring again to Figures 20-23, the third linkage 562 interconnects the second linkage 558 to an end 576 of the lever 564 overlying the aperture 530in the water tank cover 528. The lever 564 is pivotally mounted to a support piece 578 which is connected to the carrier frarne support member 132. The fifthlinkage 566 extends downwardly from an opposite end 580 of the lever 564, and the bar 568 is connected to the ~lfth linkage 566 and the trap-forming portion 542 of the wasteline 418.
The linkage assembly 554 can comprise any number of linkages which cooperate with the buoyant mass 500 and interconnect the plunger 520 and the wasteline 418. The linkages can be made of flexible wire, cable, or the like, and any suitable mechanical transmission device can be used, such as pulleys or the like. In addition, any suitable flow control valve can be used to control the - 31 ~ 2 ~ Q 2 flow of water from the flush water chamber 464 to the flush water line 536, suchas a flapper-type valve, a bell-siphon valve, or the like. For example, a flexible wire can directly connect the buoyant mass 500 to the lever 564, and a separate flexible wire can connect a flapper valve to the lever. However, the aforementioned preferred embodiment is desirable for overcoming a failure mode of the flushing cycle, and the bell-shaped plunger 520 and buoyant mass 500 can be easily removed from the water tank 460 for maintenanse or replacement.
As best shown in Figures 29-31, the flat bar 568 preferably includes a longitudinal slot 582 therein, a front catch 584 extending forwardly therefrom, and a rear catch 586 extending rearwardly therefrom opposite the front catch 584.
The slot 582 slidably receives a guide pin 588 extending perpendicularly outwardfrom the carrier frame support member 132 to guide the bar 568, the front catch 584 ha~ a substantially horizontal bottom edge 590, and the rear catch 586 has asubstantially horizontal bottom edge 592.
l'o releasably retain the bar 568 and wasteline 418 in a raised position (Figures 21-24 and 29), a stop 594 and a latch assembly 596 are pivotally attached to the carrier frame support member 132 adjacent the bar 568. The stop 594 includes an upper block portion 598 and a lower portion 599 pivotally attached to the support member 132 rearwardly of the bar 568. To hold the bar 568 in the raised position as shown in Figure 29, the stop 594 is biased in a forward direction by a spring 600 such that a fiont surface 602 of the blosk portion 598 bears agains~ a rear edge 604 of the bar 568 and a top surface 606 thereof bears against the bottom edge 592 of the rear catch 586.
The latch assembly 596 includes a horizontal pivot bar 608 rotatably mounted to a front portion of the carrier frame support members 132, alatch plate 610 connected to an end 612 of the pivot bar 608 adjacent the flat bar 568, and a pivot plate 614 connected to an opposite end 616 of the pivot bar 608.
The pivot plate 614 depends from the end 616 of pivot bar 608 and has a protuberance 617 extending forwardly from a lower portion thereof through an -32- 2~3~2 aperture 618 in the front flange 148 of the corresponding carrier frame support member 132.
The latch plate 610 includes a vertical pivot member 620 extending downward from the end 612 of pivot bar 608 and a horizontal latch member 622 S extending perpendicularly rearward f.rom a lower end of the pivot member 620.
The latch member 622 has a vertical rear flange 624 extending inward from a terminal end thereof and a vertical middle flange 626 extending inward from a stepped end thereof which is spaced forwardly from the rear flange 624. In addition, a protuberance 628 extends forwardly from the juncture of the pivot member 620 and latch member 622 through an aperture 629 in the front flange 148 of the corresponding carrier frame support member 132.
The flush pads 67, which extend through the apertures 280 in the lower front panels 58 (Figures 1-3, 8-9), are pivotally attached to the carrier frame support members 132 and are biased in a forward direction by a torsion spring 630, gravity or the like. Top portions 631 of the flush pads 67 bear against corre~sponding protuberances 617 and 628 of piVQt plate 614 and latch plate 610.
To actuate a bidet system inclucling a retractable bidet tube 632, an air blower 634, and a water heater tank 636, an on/off switch 429, located on the bidet control panel 64 (Figures 15-19), is moved to the "on" position. The bidetcontrol knobs 428 and 430 are turned to a desired flow rate and temperature position, and a person sitting on the toilet bowl 52 conveniently pushes either flush pad 67 with an elbow, thus causing the latch plate 610 to pivot rearwardly aboutthe pivot bar 608. The rear flange 624 of the latch member 622 pushes the block portion 598 of the stop 594 away f~om the rear catch 586 of the flat bar 568 andinto contact with a limit switch 638 which is mounted to a rear portion of the carrier frame support member 132. As a result, the bidet tube 632 extends into an interior chamber 639 of the toilet bowl 52 (Figure 22) and water from the heatertank 636 sprays out of the bidet tube 632. While the flush pad 67 is depressed and the bidet system is activated, the middle flange 626 of latch member 622 2~9~2 engages the bottom edge 590 of the front catch 584 to maintain the flat bar 568 and wasteline 418 in the raised position and forestall flus',ling o:f the toilet bowl 52 (Pigure 30). When the flush pad 67 is released, the bidet tube 632 retracts and the blower 634 and a heating element cooperate to blow hot air into the interior chamber 639 of the toilet bowl 52.
Releasing the flush pad 67 also activates the linkage assembly 554 to initiate the flushing operation. The latch plate 610 pivots forwardly about the pivot bar 608, the middle flange 626 of latch member 622 is disengaged from the ~ront catch 584, and the spring 600 and the weight of the wasteline 418 cause the bar 568 to move in a downward direction ~Figure 31). The bar 568 can be biased in a downward direction by other means such as attaching a mass to the wasteline418. In addition, the distance between the latch member rear flange 624 and middle flange 626 is sufficient to allow the rear catch 586 of the bar 568 to move downwardly past the block portion S98 of the stop 594 before the block portion contacts the bottom edge 592 of the rear catch S86.
Figure 32 shows the position of the bar 568, the stop 594, and latch assembly 596 when the toilet bowl 52 is rotatecl to a substantially veltical position.
The rotation of the wasteline 418 with the toilet bowl 52 causes a lower end 640of the bar 568 to move in a forward direction, thus rotating the bar 568 about the pin 588. As a result, the rear edge 604 of the bar 568 forces the block portion 598 of the stop 594 against the limit switch 638, which prevents the block portion 598 from moving rearwardly away from the rear catch 586 of the bar 568 to initiate a flushing cycle. To prevent inadvertent actuation of the bidet system, a switch (not shown) is also provided for sensing the position of the bowl.
The operation of the flushing mechanism and bidet system is illustrated se~quentially in Figures 33-42. Figures 33 and 34 show various components of the sanitary waste disposal system 50 prior to use. The linkage assembly 554 is initially in a latched position in which the plunger 520 is seated within the first end 538 of the flush water line 536 to block water from exiting the water tank 460, and the trap-forming portion 542 of the wasteline 418 is in the 20~902 raised position. To maintain a desired level of water in the toilet bowl 52 and bloek odors from the sewer line 548~ an underside 646 of the trap-forming portion 542 is higher than a discharge o~ening 648 of the toilet bowl 52. Preferably, the toilet bowl 52 is of relatively shallow construction and the height of the trap-forming portion 542 of the wasteline 418 is such that the volumetric level of water therein is maintained at approximately 0.75 gallons. In addition, the level of water in the water tank 460 is higher than the top edge portion 498 of the intermediate wall 480 and lower than the top wall 490 of the overflow chamber 468 (Figures 26-28). Thus, the water supply chamber 466 and flush water chamber 464 are in fluid flow communication and have the same level of water therein.
To actuat~ the bidet system as previously described, the "on/off"
switch 429 is moved to the "on" position, and the bidet control knobs 428 and 430 (Figures 16-20) are turned to a desired flow rate and temperature position. Either flush pad 67 is push~ rearwardly to cause the rear flange 624 of the latch member 622 to push the block portion 598 of the stop 594 away from the rear catch 586 of the flat bar 568 and into contact with the limit switch 638 (Figures 35 and 36). As a result, the bidet tube 632 extends into the interior chamber 639 of the toilet bowl 52, water sprays out of the bidet tube 632. While the flush pad 67 is depressed and the bidet system is activated, the middle flange 626 of latch member 622 engages the front catch 584 of the flat bar 568 to main~ain the bar 568 and wasteline 418 in the raised position and forestall flushing of the tcilet bowl 52.
As shown in Figures 37 and 38, the flush pad 67 is released to deactivate the bidet system, activate the blower 634, actuate the linkage assembly 554, and initiate the flushing cycle. If use of the bidet system is not desired, the bidet on/nff switch 429 is moved to an off position and the flush pad 67 is immediately released. When the flush pad 67 is released, the latch assembly 596 pivots forward and the middle flange 626 of latch member 622 is disengaged from the front catch 584 of the flat bar 568. The spring 600 and the weight of the 35 2~9~9~2 wasteline 418 cause the bar 568 lo move in a downward direction such that the rear catch 586 of the bar 568 moves past the block portion 598 of the stop 594 before the block portion contacts the rear catch 586. The trap forming portion 542 of the wasteline 418 rotates downward and the entire linkage assembly 554 S rotates in a counter-clockwise direction to pull the plunger 520 upward. The underside 646 of the trap-forming portion 542 drops to a position which is at least lower than the level of water in the toilet bowl 52 prior to initiation of the flushing cycle, thus creating a pressure differential which induces the flow of waste andwater from the toilet bowl 52 to the sewer line 548 without the addition of water from the water tank 460.
As water and waste drain from the toilet bowl 52, flush water exits the flush water chamber 464, flows through the flush water line 536, and enters the toilet bowl 52 to flush any remaining waste from the toilet bowl 52 and refill the bowl. At the same time, the buoyant mass 500 descends with the water level in the flush water chamber 464, and the shoulder 526 of the buoyant mass centerpiece 514 contacts the projection 574 of the second linkage 558 at least when the water level in the flush water chamber 464 is relatively low with respect to the buoyant mass. As a result, the linkage assem~ly 554 rotates in a clockwise direction, thus raising the wasteline 418 and forcing the plunger 520 downward.
As shown in Figure~ 39 and 40, the plunger 520 is ultimately forced into the seat formed by the first end 538 of the flush water line 536 to preventwater from exiting the flush water chamber 464, and the trap-forming portion 542of the wasteline 418 is raised to its initial position in which the underside 646 thereof is higher than the discharge opening 648 of the toilet bowl 52. Thus, the remaining water in the flush water line 536 enters the toilet bowl 52 and the height of the wasteline 418 maintains a desired level of water in the toilet bowl 52 and block odors from the sewer line 548. To hold the wasteline 418 in the raised position, the spring 600 forces the stop 594 forwardly against the rear edge 604 of the flat bar 562 as the bar moves upward and the stop 594 engages the rea~ catch586 of the bar after it has moved upward past the stop, thus preventing the bar - 36 ~ .9 ~ 2 568 from moving downward. To refill the water tank 460, the fill valve 534 senses a predetermined height change in the water supply chamber 466 and alLows water from a water supply to enter the water supply chamber 466. Water then flows from the water supply chamber 466, over the top edge portion 498 of the water tank intermediate wall 480, and into the flush water chamber 464.
As shown in Figures 41 and 42, the buoyant mass 5~ moves upward as water enters the flush water chamber 464. When the water level and pressure in the water supply chamber 46Ç have returned to the pre-flush level, the fill valve 534 closes to stop the flow of water into the water tank, thus concluding the flushing cycle.
The operation of the flushing mech~nism to prevent a steady state failure mode is illustrated in Figures 43 and 44. Such a failure mode may occur after a flushing cycle has been initiated and the plunger 520 has sealed the tank 460. If the stop 594 fails to engage the rear catch 586 of the bar 568, the buoyant mass 5Q0 will rise with the water level in the flush water chamber 464 and allowthe wasteline 418 to s~rop. As a result, the wasteline 418 drops and the plunger520 is lifted to a stationary position where the flow of water out of the chamber 464 equals the flow out of the wasteline 418.
This steady state failure mode is prevented by the compression spring 575, which forces the first linkage 556 upward to overcome the downward hydraulic pressure acting on the plunger 520. Thus, the plunger S20 is forced far enough away from the water tank outlet to float independently and allow water toflow unimpeded out of the flush water chamber 464. As a result, the buoyant mass 500 drops to raise the bar 568 and again allow the rear catch 586 to engagethe stop 594.
Since all of the components of the foregoing flushing mechanism and bidet system are connected to the carrier frame 68 and move vertically therewith, they operate in the same manner when the carrier frame 68 and its connected components, including the toilet bowl 52, are moved to any vertical posltion. The self-washing means and the rotation of the armrests 54 and toilet 37 20~0~2 bowl 52 also operate in the same manner regardless of the vertical position of the toilet bowl 52. In addition, the rotatable, height-adjustable, flushing and bidet aspects of the present invention are independent features which can be separately incorporated in a desired s~itary waste disposal system.
Preferably, the toilet bowl 5~ is constructed as shown in Figures 45-48. The bowl 52 can be made of any suitable material such as vitreous china, porcelain, molded plastic, or metal. The interior chamber 639 of the toilet bowl52 is in fluid flow communication with the outlet chamber 420 which terminates in the discharge opening ~48. Air enters the toilet bowl 52 through an inlet opening 6S0, circulates within a core 652 formed in lateral and end portions of the bowl52, flows through the cavities 422, and enters the toilet bowl interior chamber 639 through outlet openings 654 to dry a person after using the bidet. In addition, the retractable bidet tube 632 extends through an opening 656 formed in the toilet bowl 52, and outlet ports 424 allow water to drain from the bowl 52 into the eabinet trough 402 when the bowl is raised to a vertical position. As best shownin Figure 44, the toilet seat has an indentation 658 in a rear portion thereof to comfortably support a person in a fully-lowered semi-squat position. The location of indentation 658 also ensures the position of a person for successful use of the bidet system.
Thus, an attractive, safe and convenient sanitary waste disposal system is provided which conserves water and includes a vertically adjustable, rotatable toilet bowl and armrests, self-washing means, and a retractable bidet.Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that many changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. As such, it is intended that the foregoing de~ailed description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting and that it is the appended claims, including all equivalents thereof, which are intended to definethe scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A sanitary waste disposal system for use with a water supply and a sewer line, the system comprising:
a toilet bowl having an inlet opening for receiving water from a water supply and a discharge opening for draining water from the toilet bowl;
means for supplying water to the toilet bowl inlet opening;
a wasteline in fluid flow communication with the toilet bowl discharge opening and the sewer line, at least a portion of the wasteline being moveable between a raised trap-forming position in which the underside of said portion is higher than the discharge opening to maintain a desired level of water in the toilet bowl and block odors from the sewer line, and a lowered drain position in which the underside of said portion is at least lower than said level of water in the toilet bowl to create a pressure differential which induces flow to the sewer line; and means for moving the wasteline between said raised and lowered positions to flush the toilet bowl.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising means for regulating the supply of water to the toilet bowl inlet opening and for substantially simultaneously moving the wasteline between the raised and lowered positions, whereby water flows to the inlet opening while the wasteline is in the lowered position and stops flowing approximately when the wasteline is in the raised position.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the means for moving the wasteline substantially simultaneously with the regulation of the water supply comprises alinkage assembly which is connected at one end to the wasteline and at another end to a flow control valve, and latch means which communicates with the linkage assembly to releasably retain the wasteline in the raised position, whereby actuation of the latch means results in coordinated movement of the linkage assembly to open the flow control valve and lower the wasteline, thus allowing water to drain from a tank to the toilet bowl and from the toilet bowl to the sewer line.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the means for moving the wasteline substantially simultaneously with the regulation of the water supply further comprises a buoyant mass disposed interiorly of a water tank, the buoyant mass being movable in response to changes in the relative height of the water level in the tank and in communication with the linkage assembly at least when the water level in the tank is relatively low, so that the corresponding lowering of the buoyant mass with the water level in the tank results in the coordinated movement of the linkage assembly to close the flow control valve, raise the wasteline, and activate the latch means, whereby the wasteline is retained in the raised position until the next flushing cycle and a desired level of water in the toilet bowl ismaintained.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein a portion of the wasteline is flexible.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein a portion of the wasteline is rotatable.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein a portion of the wasteline is flexible.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the portion of the wasteline moveable between the trap-forming and drain positions is rigid and rotatable, and the flexible portion of the wasteline is nonextensible and connected at one end to said rigid portion and at the other end to the sewer line, whereby the rigid portion rotates downward and the flexible portion moves downward to initiate the flushing cycle.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a retractable bidet tube which extends into an interior chamber of the toilet bowl and retracts therefromprior to flushing.

10. The system of claim 9, further comprising a heater and a blower cooperating to blow hot air through a drying line, into a core formed in the toilet bowl, and out of an opening in the bowl to dry a person after using the bidet.

11. A sanitary waste disposal system for use with a water supply and a sewer line, the system comprising:
a toilet bowl having an inlet opening and a discharge opening;
a water tank positioned above said toilet bowl, the water tank having an inlet for receiving water from a water supply and an outlet for draining water from the tank;
a water inlet supply line connected at one end to a water supply and at the other end to the water tank inlet;
a flush water line connected at one end to the water tank outlet and at the other end to the toilet bowl inlet opening;
a wasteline in fluid flow communication with the toilet bowl discharge opening and the sewer line, at least a portion of the wasteline being flexible and at least a portion being rotatable such that said wasteline is moveable between a raised trap-forming position in which the underside of an uppermost portion thereof is higher than the discharge opening to maintain a desired level of water in the toilet bowl and block odors from the sewer line, and a lowered drain position in which the underside of said uppermost portion is at least lower thansaid level of water in the toilet bowl to create a pressure differential which induces flow to the sewer line; and means for regulating the supply of water to the toilet bowl inlet opening and for substantially simultaneously moving the wasteline between the raised and lowered positions, whereby water flows to the inlet opening while the wasteline is in the lowered position and stops flowing approximately when the wasteline is in the raised position.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the means for regulating the supply of water to the toilet bowl inlet opening comprises a flow control valve which communicates with the water tank outlet, the valve being moveable between an open position which permits the flow of water out of the water tank and a closed position which blocks the flow of water from the water tank.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the means for regulating the supply of water to the toilet bowl inlet opening further comprises a fill valve in communication with the water inlet supply line to control the supply of water tothe water tank, the fill valve being moveable between an open position and a closed position in response to a change in water level in the tank such that said fill valve is in the open position when the water level in the tank is relatively low to admit water into the tank, and in the closed position when the water level in the tank is relatively high to block the flow of water into the tank.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the means for moving the wasteline substantially simultaneously with the regulation of the water supply comprises a linkage assembly which is connected at one end to the wasteline and at another end to the flow control valve, and latch means which communicates with the linkage assembly to releasably retain the wasteline in the raised position, whereby actuation of the latch means results in coordinated movement of the linkage assembly to open the flow control valve and lower the wasteline, thus allowing water to drain from the tank and toilet bowl to the sewer line.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the means for moving the wasteline substantially simultaneously with the regulation of the water supply further comprises a buoyant mass disposed interiorly of the water tank, the buoyant mass being movable in response to changes in the relative height of the water level in the tank and in communication with the linkage assembly at least when the water level in the tank is relatively low, so that the corresponding lowering of the buoyant mass with the water level in the tank results in the coordinated movement of the linkage assembly to close the flow control valve, raise the wasteline, and engage the latch means, whereby the wasteline is retained in the raised position until the next flushing cycle and a desired level of water in the toilet bowl is maintained.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein the portion of the wasteline moveable between the trap-forming and drain positions is rigid and rotatable, and a flexible portion of the wasteline is connected at one end to said rigid portion and at the other end to the sewer line, whereby the rigid portion rotates downward and the flexible portion moves downward to initiate the flushing cycle.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the wasteline is nonextensible.

18. The system of claim 11, further comprising a retractable bidet tube which extends into an interior chamber of the toilet bowl and retracts therefromprior to flushing.

19. The system of claim 18, further comprising a heater, a blower, and a drying line, the heater and blower cooperating to blow hot air into a core formed in the toilet bowl and out of an opening in the bowl to dry a person after using the bidet.

20. A sanitary waste disposal system for use with a water supply and a sewer line, the system comprising:
a frame;
a toilet bowl having an inlet opening and a discharge opening;

a water tank having an inlet for receiving water from the water supply and an outlet for draining water from the tank;
a water inlet supply line connected at one end to the water supply and at another end to the water tank inlet;
a fill valve in communication with the water inlet supply line for regulating the flow of water from the water supply to the water tank, the fill valve being movable between an open position and a closed position in response to a change in the level of water in the water tank such that said valve is in the open position when the water level in the tank is relatively low to admit water into the tank, and in the closed position when the water level in the tank is relatively high to block the flow of water into the tank;
a flush water line connected at a first end to the water tank outlet and at a second end to the toilet bowl inlet opening for passing water from the water tank to the toilet bowl;
a flow control valve which communicates with the water tank outlet to control the flow of water from the water tank to the flush water line, the valve being moveable between an open position which permits the flow of water outwardly of the water tank and a closed position which blocks the flow of waterfrom the water tank;
a wasteline in fluid flow communication with the toilet bowl discharge opening and the sewer line, a portion of the wasteline being flexible and a portion being rotatable such that said wasteline is moveable between a raised position in which the underside of an uppermost portion thereof is higher than the discharge opening to maintain a desired level of water in the toilet bowl and block odors from the sewer line, and a lowered position in which the underside of saidportion is at least lower than said level of water in the toilet bowl to create a pressure differential which induces flow to the sewer line;
a linkage assembly including mechanical transmission means, at least one linkage interconnecting the flow control valve to the transmission means, and at least one linkage interconnecting the wasteline to the transmission means;

latch means adapted to cooperate with the linkage assembly to releasably retain the wasteline in the raised position, whereby the latch means is disengaged from the linkage assembly and the wasteline falls to the lowered position, thus pulling the linkages and rotating the lever in one direction to open the flow control valve so that the water in the tank flows to the toilet bowl and out the wasteline to the sewer line; and means for pulling the linkages and rotating the lever in the opposite direction when the water level in the tank is relatively low to raise the wasteline and close the flow control valve, whereby the latch means engages the linkage assembly to retain the wasteline in the raised position until the next flushing cycle.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the water tank includes an intermediate wall dividing the tank into a water supply chamber and a flush water chamber, the fill valve is disposed within the water supply chamber, the flow control valve is disposed within the flush water chamber, and the intermediate wall has an access opening in an upper portion thereof to allow fluid flow communication between the water supply chamber and flush water chamber.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the water tank includes a bottom wall, front wall, back wall, and side walls, the water tank outlet is formed in a portion of the bottom wall underlying the flush water chamber, and a top edge portion of the intermediate wall is lower than a top edge of said front, back, and side walls to allow fluid flow communication between the water supply and flush water chambers, whereby water flows from the water supply chamber, into the flush water chamber, and out the outlet opening to supply water to the toilet bowl when the flow control valve is in an open position.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the flow control valve comprises a bell-shaped plunger and the first end of the flush water line forms a seat whichsealingly receives said plunger to prevent water from exiting the water tank.

24. The system of claim 20, wherein the means for pulling the linkages to raise the wasteline comprises a buoyant mass disposed interiorly of the watertank, the buoyant mass being movable in response to changes in the relative height of the water level in the tank and in communication with the second linkage at least when the water level in the tank is relatively low.

25. The system of claim 24, further comprising bias means cooperating with the wasteline such that the wasteline is biased in a downward direction.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein the bias means comprises a spring adapted to be attached to the elongated bar of the linkage assembly and the frame.

27. The system of claim 24, further comprising means for forcing the flow control valve open during a failure mode in which the latch means does not hold the linkage assembly, the flow control valve is being held in a partially open position by the buoyant mass, and water is continuously flowing from the water supply into the tank, out the tank outlet opening, through the flush water line, into the toilet bowl, and out the wasteline.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein the means for forcing the flow control valve open comprises at least a first linkage and a second linkage interconnecting the flow control valve to the transmission means, the first linkage being connected at one end to the flow control valve and slidably connected at the other end to the second linkage, and a spring interposed between the end of the first linkage and an end of the second linkage such that a force pulling the second linkage upward compresses the spring, whereby the first linkage and flow controlvalve are forced upward during said failure mode.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein the first linkage comprises an eyelet opening at one end which slidably receives the second linkage, and the second linkage comprises an eyelet opening at one end which slidably receives the first linkage.

30. The system of claim 24, wherein the latch means comprises a latch assembly and a stop positioned inside the frame, and the linkage interconnectingthe wasteline to the transmission means comprises an elongated bar having a rearcatch extending rearwardly therefrom toward the stop, the stop being biased in adirection toward the elongated bar and the latch assembly being biased in a direction away from said bar, whereby the stop engages said rear catch to releasably secure the linkage assembly and wasteline in a raised position, the latch assembly is pushed rearwardly such that a portion thereof forces the stop away from the rear catch and the linkage assembly and wasteline fall to a lowered position to initiate the flushing cycle, the elongated bar moves upward as the buoyant mass descends with the water level in the tank such that the rear catch is positioned above the stop, and the stop contacts the rear catch to retain the linkage assembly in a raised position for another flushing cycle.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein the stop contacts a limit switch when forced away from the rear catch by the latch assembly, the elongated bar further comprises a front catch extending forwardly from an edge thereof approximately opposite the rear catch, and the latch assembly further comprises a middle flange which engages the front catch when the stop is forced away from the rear catch, whereby the latch assembly is pushed inward such that the rear flange thereof forces the stop away from the rear catch, the stop engages the limit switch to activate a bidet and the middle flange of the latch assembly simultaneously engages the front catch to maintain the linkage assembly and wasteline in a raised position, the latch assembly is released to disengage the stop from the limit switch and the middle flange from the front catch, and the linkage assembly falls to the lowered position to initiate the flushing cycle.

32. The system of claim 31, further comprising a spring attached at one end of the elongated bar of the linkage assembly and at the other end to thestop, whereby the elongated bar is biased in a downward direction and the stop is biased toward the elongated bar.

33. The system of claim 30, wherein the portion of the wasteline moveable between the trap-forming and drain positions is rigid and rotatable, and a flexible portion of the wasteline is connected at one end to said rigid portion and at the other end to the sewer line, whereby the rigid portion rotates downward and the flexible portion moves downward to initiate the flushing cycle, and the flexible portion moves to accommodate for the rotation of the toilet bowl.

34. The system of claim 20, further comprising a retractable bidet tube which extends into an interior chamber of the toilet bowl and retracts therefromprior to flushing.

35. A sanitary waste disposal system for use with a water supply and a sewer line, the system comprising:
a frame;
a toilet bowl having an inlet opening and a discharge opening;
a water tank including a bottom wall, side walls and an intermediate wall dividing the tank into a first and second chamber, said intermediate wall being lower than a top edge of the side walls to allow fluid flow communication between the chambers, the portion of the bottom wall underlying one of said chambers having an inlet opening therein for receiving water from a water supply, the portion of the bottom wall underlying the other of said chambers having an outlet opening therein for draining water from the tank;
a buoyant mass positioned in the chamber overlying the outlet opening, the buoyant mass being movable in response to changes in the relative height of the water level in the tank and in communication with a first linkage at least when the water level in the tank is relatively low;
a water inlet supply line connected at one end to the water supply and at another end to the water tank inlet;
a fill valve positioned in the chamber overlying the inlet opening, said valve communicating with the water inlet supply line to regulate the flow of water from the water supply to the water tank, and being movable between an open position and a closed position in response to a change in the level of water in the water tank such that said valve is in the open position when the water level in the tank is relatively low to admit water into the tank, and in the closed position when the water level in the tank is relatively high to block the flow of water into the tank;
a flow control valve positioned in the chamber overlying the outlet opening, said valve communicating with the water tank outlet to control the flowof water from the water tank to the flush water line, the valve being moveable between an open position which permits the flow of water outwardly of the water tank and a closed position which blocks the flow of water from the water tank;
a flush water line connected at a first end to the water tank outlet opening and at a second end to the toilet bowl inlet opening for passing water from the water tank to the toilet bowl, said first end of the flush water line forming a seat which sealingly receives the plunger when the water level in the tank is relatively low;
a wasteline in fluid flow communication with the toilet bowl discharge opening and the sewer line, the wasteline having a rigid portion rotatable between a raised trap-forming position in which the underside of an uppermost portion thereof is higher than the discharge opening to maintain a desired level of water in the toilet bowl and block odors from the sewer line, and a lowered position in which the underside of said portion is at least lower than said level of water in the toilet bowl to create a pressure differential which induces flow to the sewer line, the wasteline also having a flexible portion attached to said rigid portion and the sewer line such that the flexible portion moves in conjunction with the rigid portion;
a lever pivotally mounted to the frame;
a first linkage connected to the flow control valve at one end and having an eyelet opening at the other end which slidably receives a second linkage;
at least a second linkage interconnecting the first linkage to one end of the lever, said linkage having an eyelet opening at one end which slidably receives the first linkage;
a spring interposed between the eyelets of said first and second linkages such that a force pulling the second linkage upward compresses the spring, whereby the first linkage and flow control valve are forced upward during a failure mode in which the latch does not hold the linkage assembly, the flow control valve is being held in a partially open position by the buoyant mass, and water is continuously flowing from the water supply into the tank, out the tank outlet opening, through the flush water line, into the toilet bowl, and out the wasteline;
at least an elongated bar interconnecting the wasteline to the end of the lever opposite the second linkage, the bar having a first catch extending outward from an edge thereof;
a latch assembly positioned inside the frame toward a front portion thereof, the latch assembly being biased in a direction away from said bar; and a stop positioned inside the frame toward a back portion thereof;
and a spring attached at one end of the elongated bar and at the other end to the stop, whereby the elongated bar is biased in a downward direction andthe stop is bias d toward the elongated bar;
whereby the stop engages the first catch to secure the elongated bar and wasteline in a raised position, the latch assembly is pushed inward such that a rear flange thereof forces the stop away from the first catch, the elongated bar and wasteline fall to a lowered position to initiate the flushing cycle, said bar is pulled upward by the buoyant mass at the end of the flushing cycle such that the first catch is positioned above the stop, and the stop contacts the first catch to retain the linkage assembly in a raised position for another flushing cycle.

36. The system of claim 35, further comprising a limit switch and a retractable bidet tube extendable into an interior chamber of the toilet bowl, and wherein the elongated bar further comprises a second catch extending outward from an edge thereof opposite the first catch, and the latch assembly further comprises a middle flange which engages the second catch when the stop is forcedaway from the first catch, whereby the latch assembly is pushed inward such thatthe rear flange thereof forces the stop away from the first catch, the stop engages the limit switch to activate a bidet and the middle flange of the latch assemblysimultaneously engages the second catch to secure the linkage assembly and wasteline in a raised position, the latch assembly is released to disengage the stop from the limit switch and the middle flange from the second catch, and the linkage assembly falls to the lowered position to initiate the flushing cycle.

37. A sanitary waste disposal system for use with a water supply and a sewer line, the system comprising:
a frame;
a toilet bowl having an inlet opening and a discharge opening;
a retractable bidet tube extendable into an interior chamber of the toilet bowl;
a water tank including a bottom wall, side walls and an intermediate wall dividing the tank into a first and second chamber, said intermediate wall being lower than a top edge of the side walls to allow fluid flow communication between the chambers, a portion of the bottom wall underlying one of said chambers having an inlet opening therein for receiving water from a water supply, and a portion of the bottom wall underlying the other of said chambers having anoutlet opening therein for draining water from the tank;

a buoyant mass positioned within the chamber overlying the outlet opening, the buoyant mass being movable in response to changes in the relative height of the water level in the tank and in communication with a first linkage at least when the water level in the tank is relatively low;
a water inlet supply line connected at one end to the water supply and at another end to the water tank inlet;
a fill valve positioned in the chamber overlying the inlet opening, said valve communicating with the water inlet supply line to regulate the flow of water from the water supply to the water tank, and being movable between an open position and a closed position in response to a change in the level of water in the water tank such that said valve is in the open position when the water level in the tank is relatively low to admit water into the tank, and in the closed position when the water level in the tank is relatively high to block the flow of water into the tank;
a flow control valve positioned in the chamber overlying the outlet opening, said valve communicating with the water tank outlet opening to control the flow of water from the water tank to the flush water line, and said valve being moveable between an open position which permits the flow of water outwardly of the water tank and a closed position which blocks the flow of water from the water tank;
a flush water line connected at a first end to the water tank outlet opening and at a second end to the toilet bowl inlet opening for passing water from the water tank to the toilet bowl, said first end of the flush water line forming a seat which sealingly receives the flow control valve when the water level in the tank is relatively low;
a wasteline in fluid flow communication with the toilet bowl discharge opening and the sewer line, the wasteline having a rigid portion rotatable between a raised trap-forming position in which the underside of an uppermost portion thereof is higher than the discharge opening to maintain a desired level of water in the toilet bowl and block odors from the sewer line, and a lowered drain position in which the underside of said portion is at least lower than said level of water in the toilet bowl to create a pressure differential which induces flow to the sewer line, the wasteline also having a flexible portion moveable in conjunctionwith the rigid portion;
a lever pivotally mounted to the frame;
at least a first linkage interconnecting the flow control valve to one end of the lever;
at least an elongated bar interconnecting the wasteline to the end of the lever opposite the first linkage, the bar having a first catch extending outward from a forward edge thereof and a second catch extending outward from an edge thereof opposite the first catch;
a latch assembly positioned inside the frame toward a front portion thereof, the latch assembly having a rear flange and a middle flange and being biased in a direction away from said bar;
a limit switch positioned inside the frame toward a back portion thereof;
a stop positioned inside the frame between the latch assembly and the limit switch; and a spring attached at one end of the elongated bar and at the other end to the stop, whereby the elongated bar is biased in a downward direction andthe stop is biased toward the elongated bar;
whereby the latch assembly is pushed inward such that the rear flange thereof forces the stop away from the first catch, the stop engages the limit switch to activate the bidet tube and the middle flange of the latch assembly simultaneously engages the second catch to maintain the linkage assembly and wasteline in a raised position, the latch assembly is released to disengage the rear flange from the limit switch and the middle flange from the second catch, the linkage assembly falls to the lowered position to initiate the flushing cycle, and the stop engages the first catch when the buoyant mass descends in the water tank toraise the elongated bar and complete the flushing cycle.

38. The system of claim 37, wherein the first linkage is connected to the flow control valve at one end and has an eyelet opening at the other end which slidably receives a second linkage, and further comprising at least a second linkage interconnecting the first linkage to one end of the lever, said second linkage having an eyelet opening at one end which slidably receives the first linkage, and a spring disposed between the eyelets of said first and second linkages such that a force pulling the second linkage upward compresses the spring, whereby the firstlinkage and flow control valve are forced upward during a failure mode in which the latch does not hold the linkage assembly, the flow control valve is being held in a partially open position by the buoyant mass, and water is continuously flowing from the water supply into the tank, out the tank outlet opening, through the flush water line, into the toilet bowl, and out the wasteline.

39. The system of claim 38, wherein the water inlet supply line is flexible and adapted to vary in length, and said components of the system are attached to a carrier frame positioned inside an outer frame, said carrier frame and its connected components being vertically moveable relative to the outer frame to allow the bowl to be positioned a desired height above a floor during use, the system further comprising means -for guiding and moving said carrier frame vertically.

40. The system of claim 39, wherein the flexible portion of the wasteline includes a substantially straight first segment extending at an angle laterally and downwardly away from the rigid portion of the wasteline, and a second substantially straight segment extending downward from said first segmentin substantially the opposite lateral direction, whereby the angle between the first and second segments increases when the toilet bowl is raised to a desired elevation.

41. The system of claim 38, wherein the flush water line is flexible and the toilet bowl is rotatable from a horizontal position to a substantially vertical retracted position in which said bowl is substantially enclosed by cabinet means, the system further comprising means for washing an interior surface of the bowl when said bowl is in the retracted position.

42. The system of claim 41, further comprising rotatable armrests which rotate upwardly to a substantially vertical position when the toilet bowl is rotated to the retracted vertical position causes the toilet bowl to rotate downwardly when one of said armrests is rotated downwardly, said armrests also being independently rotatable when the toilet bowl is in the horizontal position.

43. A sanitary waste disposal system for use with a water supply and a sewer line, the system comprising:
an outer frame adapted to be positioned inside a recess in a wall;
a carrier frame positioned within the outer frame and being vertically moveable within said outer frame;
a toilet bowl connected to said carrier frame, the toilet bowl having an inlet opening for receiving water from a water supply and a discharge openingfor draining water from the toilet bowl;
means for vertically moving the carrier frame within the outer frame;
means for guiding the carrier frame within the outer frame;
means for supplying water to the toilet bowl inlet opening, said means for supplying water being adapted to accommodate for changes in the height of the toilet bowl; and a wasteline in fluid flow communication with the toilet bowl outlet opening and the sewer line, said wasteline being moveable to accommodate for changes in the height of the toilet bowl.

44. The system of claim 43, wherein the means for moving the carrier frame is positioned adjacent an upper portion of the outer frame to provide space underneath the toilet bowl.

45. The system of claim 44, wherein the means for moving the carrier frame comprises a motor-driven jack screw having an end rotatably attached to the upper portion of the outer frame and an opposite end portion adapted to threadably mate with an aperture in the carrier frame, whereby the carrier frame and its connected components move vertically within the outer frame when the screw is rotated.

46. The system of claim 43, further comprising cover means adapted to move with the carrier frame, a portion of said cover means being fixed to the outer frame to conceal said outer frame and any exposed components therein.

47. The system of claim 46, further comprising a plurality of front panels attached to the carrier frame, said panels being movable with the carrierframe.

48. The system of claim 47, wherein the outer frame has a width defined by spaced apart, vertical side members, and the cover means comprises upper and lower collapsible bellows having a width substantially the same as theouter frame, said upper bellows being adapted to interconnect an upper portion of an upper front panel to an upper portion of the outer frame, and said lower bellows being adapted to interconnect a lower portion of lower panels to a lowerportion of the outer frame, whereby one bellows expands and the other collapses when the carrier frame and panels move vertically, thus concealing the outer frame and any exposed components therein.

49. The system of claim 43, wherein the wasteline includes a flexible, nonextensible portion which bends to accommodate for the vertical height of the toilet bowl.

50. A sanitary waste disposal system for use with a water supply and a sewer line, the system comprising:
a toilet bowl having an inlet opening for receiving water from a water supply and a discharge opening for draining water from the toilet bowl;
means for supplying water to the toilet bowl inlet opening;
means for moving the toilet bowl to a desired vertical position; and a wasteline having a rigid trap forming portion and a flexible portion with a substantially uniform cross-section, the rigid portion having one end connected to the toilet bowl outlet opening and another end connected to an end of the flexible portion, and the flexible portion having an end connected to the sewer line, whereby the flexible portion of the wasteline bends to accommodate for thevertical height of the toilet bowl.

51. The system of claim 50, wherein the flexible portion of the wasteline extends transversely from the toilet bowl outlet opening and sewer line.

52. The system of claim 51, wherein the flexible portion of the wasteline includes a substantially straight first segment extending at an angle laterally and downwardly away from the rigid portion of the wasteline, and a substantially straight second segment extending at an angle laterally and downwardly from said first segment in substantially the opposite direction, whereby the angle between the first and second segments increases when the toilet bowl is raised to a desired elevation.

53. A sanitary waste disposal system for use with a water supply and a sewer line, the system comprising:

an outer frame adapted to be positioned inside a recess in a wall;
a carrier frame positioned within the outer frame and being vertically moveable within said outer frame;
a toilet bowl connected to said carrier frame, the toilet bowl having an inlet opening for receiving water from a water supply and a discharge openingfor draining water from the toilet bowl;
means for vertically moving the carrier frame within the outer frame;
means for guiding the carrier frame within the outer frame;
cover means adapted to move with the carrier frame, a portion of said cover means being fixed to the outer frame to conceal said outer frame and any exposed components therein;
means for supplying water to the toilet bowl inlet opening, said means for supplying water being adapted to accommodate for changes in the height of the toilet bowl; and a wasteline having a rigid trap forming portion and a flexible portion, the rigid portion having one end connected to the toilet bowl outlet opening and another end connected to an end of the flexible portion, and the flexible portion having an end connected to the sewer line, whereby the flexibleportion of the wasteline bends to accommodate for the vertical height of the toilet bowl.

54. The system of claim 53, wherein the means for moving the carrier frame is positioned adjacent an upper portion of the outer frame to provide space underneath the toilet bowl.

55. The system of claim 54, wherein the means for moving the carrier frame comprises a motor-driven jack screw having an end rotatably attached to the upper portion of the outer frame and an opposite end portion adapted to threadably mate with an aperture in the carrier frame, whereby the carrier frame and its connected components move vertically within the outer frame when the screw is rotated.

56. The system of claim 53, further comprising a plurality of front panels attached to the carrier frame, said panels being movable with the carrierframe.

57. The system of claim 56, wherein the outer frame has a width defined by spaced apart, vertical side members, and the cover means comprises upper and lower collapsible bellows having a width substantially the same as theouter frame, said upper bellows being adapted to interconnect an upper portion of an upper front panel to an upper portion of the outer frame, and said lower bellows being adapted to interconnect a lower portion of lower panels to a lowerportion of the outer frame, whereby one bellows expands and the other collapses when the carrier frame and panels move vertically, thus concealing the outer frame and any exposed components therein.

58. The system of claim 53, wherein the flexible portion of the wasteline has a substantially uniform cross-section and extends transversely from the toilet bowl outlet opening and sewer line.

59. The system of claim 58, wherein the flexible portion of the wasteline includes a substantially straight first segment extending at an angle laterally and downwardly away from the rigid portion of the wasteline, and a substantially straight second segment extending at an angle laterally and downwardly from said first segment in substantially the opposite direction, whereby the angle between the first and second segments increases when the toilet bowl is raised to a desired elevation.

60. The system of claim 53, further comprising a cabinet mounted to the carrier frame above the toilet bowl, said cabinet being positioned substantially within the carrier frame and outer frame.

61. The system of claim 53, further comprising a water tank mounted to the carrier frame above the toilet bowl, the water tank having an inlet for receiving water from the water supply and an outlet for draining water from the tank.

62. The system of claim 61, further comprising a flexible water inlet supply line connected at one end to the water supply and at another end to the water tank inlet, the supply line being adapted to vary in length to accommodatefor changes in the height of the water tank.

63. The system of claim 62, further comprising a flush water line connected to the water tank outlet and the toilet bowl inlet opening for passingwater from the water tank to the toilet bowl.

64. A sanitary waste disposal system for use with a water supply and a sewer line, the system comprising:
an outer frame adapted to be positioned substantially inside a recess in a wall, said outer frame including vertical side walls and an anchor member positioned in an upper portion thereof;
a carrier frame positioned within the outer frame, the carrier frame including a top horizontal carriage member, a pair of spaced apart vertical support members, and a bottom cross-piece, the carriage member having an aperture therein and threaded guide members attached thereto in alignment with said aperture, and said carrier frame being adapted to slidably bear against a portion of the outer frame;

a plurality of front panels attached to the carrier frame, said panels being movable with the carrier frame and adapted to slidably bear against the side walls of the outer frame to guide the carrier frame within said outer frame;
upper collapsible bellows for concealing the outer frame and any exposed components therein, said bellows having a width substantially the same as the distance between the outer frame side walls and being adapted to interconnect an upper portion of an upper front panel to an upper portion of the outer frame;lower collapsible bellows for concealing the outer frame and any exposed components therein, said bellows having a width substantially the same as the distance between the outer frame side walls and being adapted to interconnect a lower portion of lower panels to a lower portion of the outer frame;
a motor mounted to an upper portion of the outer frame such that a drive shaft extends vertically therefrom, said drive shaft having a pulley attached thereto;
a jack screw having a bottom end portion extending through the threaded guide members and carriage member aperture a sufficient length to hold the carrier frame when the toilet is in the lowest desired position, a top end portion of the screw being rotatably attached to the outer frame anchor member and having a pulley attached thereto;
a belt cooperating with the motor pulley and the jack screw pulley to rotate the screw and raise or lower the carrier frame to a desired location;
a water tank mounted to the vertical support members of the carrier frame above the toilet bowl, the water tank having an inlet for receiving water from the water supply and an outlet for draining water from the tank;
a flexible water inlet supply line connected at one end to the water supply and at another end to the water tank inlet, the supply line being adapted to vary in length to accommodate for changes in the height of the water tank;
a toilet bowl adapted to be mounted to a lower portion of the carrier frame support members, the toilet bowl having an inlet opening and an outlet opening;

a flush water line connected to the water tank outlet and the toilet bowl inlet opening for passing water from the water tank to the toilet bowl; anda wasteline having a rigid trap forming portion and a flexible, nonextensible portion including a substantially straight first segment extending at an angle laterally and downwardly away from the rigid portion of the wasteline, and a substantially straight second segment extending at an angle laterally and downwardly from said first segment in substantially the opposite direction;
whereby the belt cooperates with the drive shaft pulley and screw jack pulley to rotate the screw in a desired direction, the screw cooperates with the threaded guide members to move the carrier frame and its connected components in a corresponding vertical direction, including the water tank and the toilet bowl, the flexible portion of the wasteline bends such that the angle between the first and second segments increases when the toilet bowl is being raised and decreases when the bowl is being lowered, and one bellows expands and the other collapses to completely conceal the outer frame and any exposed components when the carrier frame is in any vertical position.

65. A sanitary waste disposal system for use with a water supply and a sewer line, the system comprising:
a cabinet positioned substantially above and behind a toilet bowl, the cabinet having side walls and a back wall which define an interior chamber;
wash means extending into the interior chamber of the cabinet;
a toilet bowl having a side wall defining a cavity, a rotatable seat positioned adjacent top edges of the side wall, an inlet opening for receiving water from a water supply, and a discharge opening for draining water therefrom, said bowl being rotatable from a substantially horizontal lowered position to a raised position in which at least a portion of the bowl is inside the interior chamber of the cabinet;
retractable cover means for covering the interior chamber of the cabinet when the toilet bowl is in the lowered position; and a wasteline in fluid flow communication with the toilet bowl outlet opening and the sewer line, the wasteline being moveable to accommodate for the rotation of the toilet bowl between the lowered and raised positions.

66. The system of claim 65, wherein the cover means comprises a cover moveable between a substantially vertical position in which said cover is spacedapart from the back wall of the cabinet and adjacent front edges of the cabinet side walls, and a withdrawn position in which a back surface of the cover is adjacentthe back wall of the cabinet, the cover having an aperture therein for receiving the wash means and being substantially the same size and shape as a portion of the cabinet defined by the front edges of the cabinet side walls.

67. The system of claim 66, wherein the cover pivots about the same axis as the toilet bowl seat.

68. The system of claim 65, wherein a substantial portion of the toilet bowl is positioned inside the interior chamber of the cabinet when the bowl is in the raised position.

69. The system of claim 68, wherein the shape and size of the portion of the toilet bowl positioned inside the cabinet chamber is substantially the same as the shape and size of said chamber to provide a close fit between the cabinet side walls and the toilet bowl side walls.

70. The system of claim 69, wherein at least a top portion of the toilet bowl seat bears against a front surface of the cover when the toilet bowl is in the raised position.

71. The system of claim 65, further comprising means for assisting rotation of the toilet bowl, means for limiting the rate of rotation of the bowl, and means for limiting the range of rotation of said bowl.

72. The system of claim 65, further comprising a pair of spaced apart, rotatable armrests positioned above the toilet bowl when said bowl is in the lowered position, said armrests rotating upward from a substantially horizontal position to a substantially vertical position when the toilet bowl is raised from the lowered position to the raised position, and said armrests causing the toilet bowl to rotate downward to the lowered position when an armrest is pulled downward to the horizontal position.

73. The system of claim 72, wherein the armrests are rotatable independently of the toilet bowl.

74. The system of claim 73, wherein the armrests are rotatable independently of each other.

75. A sanitary waste disposal system for use with a water supply and a sewer line, the system comprising:
a frame;
a cabinet positioned inside the frame, the cabinet having side walls and a back wall which define an interior chamber;
wash means extending into the interior chamber of the cabinet;
a cover moveable between a substantially vertical position in which said cover is spaced apart from the back wall of the cabinet and adjacent front edges of the cabinet side walls, and a withdrawn position in which a back surface of the cover is adjacent the back wall of the cabinet, the cover having an aperture therein for receiving the wash means;

a toilet bowl having a side wall defining a cavity, a rotatable seat positioned adjacent top edges of the side wall, an inlet opening for receiving water from a water supply, and a discharge opening for draining water therefrom, said bowl being rotatable from a substantially horizontal lowered position outside the frame to a raised position in which a substantial portion of the bowl is inside the interior chamber of the cabinet and the wash means extends into the toilet bowl cavity;
a water tank positioned above the toilet bowl, said water tank having an inlet opening and an outlet opening;
a flexible flush water line connected at one end to the water tank outlet opening and at the other end to the toilet bowl inlet opening; and a wasteline in fluid flow communication with the toilet bowl outlet opening and the sewer line, the wasteline being moveable to accommodate for the rotation of the toilet bowl between the lowered and raised positions.

76. The system of claim 75, wherein a substantial portion of the toilet bowl seat bears against a front surface of the cover when the toilet bowl is in the raised position.

77. The system of claim 76, wherein the cover pivots about the same axis as the toilet bowl seat.

78. The system of claim 75, wherein the shape and size of the cabinet interior chamber is substantially the same as the shape and size of the toilet bowl to provide a close fit between the cabinet side walls and the toilet bowl side walls.

79. The system of claim 75, further comprising means for assisting rotation of the toilet bowl.

80. The system of claim 79, wherein the means for assisting rotation of the toilet bowl comprises a motor adapted to rotate the toilet bowl upon initiation of actuation means.

81. The system of claim 79, wherein the toilet bowl is mounted to a support plate having a pair of bars extending laterally outward therefrom, said bars being rotatably attached to a pair of support braces and at least one of said bars having an arm extending radially outward therefrom, and wherein the means for assisting rotation of the toilet bowl comprises a linkage assembly having a spring therebetween, the linkage assembly having one end attached to the Frame and another end attached to said arm.

82. The system of claim 81, wherein the arm extends rearwardly from the toilet bowl and the spring is in compression when the bowl is in a lowered position, whereby the linkage assembly is biased in a downward direction and theresulting force on the arm assists the rotation of the toilet bowl to a raised position.

83. The system of claim 75, further comprising means for limiting the rate at which the toilet bowl is rotated.

84. The system of claim 83, wherein the toilet bowl is mounted to a support plate having a pair of bars extending laterally outward therefrom, said bars being rotatably attached to a pair of support braces and at least one of said bars having an arm extending radially outward therefrom, and wherein the means for limiting the rate at which the toilet bowl rotates comprises a shock absorber including a pneumatic cylinder and piston having one end connected the frame andanother end connected to a corresponding arm.

85. The system of claim 75, further comprising means for limiting the range of rotation of the toilet bowl.

86. The system of claim 85, wherein the means for limiting the range of rotation of the toilet bowl comprises upper and lower stops adapted to be attached to the frame.

87. A sanitary waste disposal system for use with a water supply and a sewer line, the system comprising:
a frame;
a toilet bowl having an inlet opening for receiving water from a water supply and a discharge opening for draining water therefrom, said bowl being rotatable from a substantially horizontal lowered position outside the frame to a raised position in which a substantial portion of the bowl is inside the frame;
a wasteline in fluid flow communication with the toilet bowl outlet opening and the sewer line, the wasteline being moveable to accommodate for the rotation of the toilet bowl between the lowered and raised positions; and a pair of spaced apart, rotatable armrests positioned above the toilet bowl when said bowl is in the lowered position and being pivotable about a horizontal axis, said armrests cooperating with the toilet bowl such that the armrests rotate upward when the toilet bowl is raised and cause the toilet bowl to rotate downward when said armrests are lowered.

88. The system of claim 87, further comprising a flexible flush water line attached at one end to a water tank outlet opening and at the other end to the toilet bowl inlet opening.

89. The system of claim 87, wherein the toilet bowl is mounted to a support plate having a pair of bars extending laterally outward therefrom, said bars being rotatably attached to a pair of support braces and at least one of said bars having an arm extending radially outward therefrom, and wherein a linkage assembly is adapted to interconnect shoulders of the armrests to a correspondingarm, whereby raising the toilet bowl rotates the arm, the linkage assembly pullsthe armrest shoulders, and the armrests rotate upward.

90. The system of claim 87, wherein the armrests are rotatable independently of the toilet bowl.

91. The system of claim 87, wherein the armrests are rotatable independently of each other.

92. The system of claim 91, wherein the toilet bowl is mounted to a support plate having a pair of bars extending laterally outward therefrom, said bars being rotatably attached to a pair of support braces and each bar having an arm extending radially outward therefrom in a rearward direction, each armrest having a shoulder extending from an end portion thereof which is connected to a corresponding arm by a linkage assembly, whereby the armrests rotate upward when the toilet bowl is raised and each armrest is individually rotatable when the toilet bowl is in a lowered position.

93. The system of claim 92, wherein the linkage assembly cooperates with a spring to rotate the armrests.

94. The system of claim 87, further comprising means for limiting the range of rotation of the armrests.

95. The system of claim 94, further comprising means for guiding the armrests.

96. The system of claim 95, wherein the armrests have a shoulder extending from an end portion thereof adjacent the axis of rotation of the armrests, and the means for guiding the armrests comprises a pair of support braces attached to the frame, each support brace having a vertical member attached perpendicularly to a horizontal member, and a curved member connected to the vertical and horizontal members, and wherein the means for limiting the range ofrotation of the armrests comprises an upper block positioned at the juncture of the vertical member and curved member of each support brace, and a lower block positioned at the juncture of the horizontal member and curved member of each support brace, whereby one side of said end portions contacts the upper blocks when the armrests are in a lowered position and an opposite side of said end portions contact the lower blocks when the armrest is in a raised position.

97. The system of claim 87, further comprising means for assisting rotation of the toilet bowl, means for limiting the rate of rotation of the bowl, and means for limiting the range of rotation of said bowl.

98. A sanitary waste disposal system for use with a water supply and a sewer line, the system comprising:
a frame;
a toilet bowl having an inlet opening for receiving water from a water supply and a discharge opening for draining water therefrom, said bowl being rotatable from a substantially horizontal lowered position outside the frame to a raised position in which a substantial portion of the bowl is inside the frame;
a wasteline in fluid flow communication with the toilet bowl outlet opening and the sewer line, the wasteline being moveable to accommodate for the rotation of the toilet bowl between the lowered and raised positions;
a pair of spaced apart armrests positioned above the toilet bowl when the bowl is in the lowered position, said armrests being pivotable about a horizontal axis independent of each other and the toilet bowl, and being adapted to cooperate with the toilet bowl such that the armrests rotate upward when the toilet bowl is raised;
means for guiding the armrests; and means for limiting the range of rotation of the armrests.

99. The system of claim 98, wherein the toilet bowl is mounted to a support plate having a pair of bars extending laterally outward therefrom, said bars being rotatably attached to a pair of support braces and each bar having an arm extending radially outward therefrom in a rearward direction, each armrest having a shoulder extending from an end portion thereof which is connected to a corresponding arm by a linkage assembly, whereby the armrests rotate upward when the toilet bowl is raised and each armrest is individually rotatable when the toilet bowl is in a lowered position.

100. The system of claim 99, wherein the linkage assembly cooperates with a spring to rotate the armrests.

101. The system of claim 98, wherein the armrests have a shoulder extending from an end portion thereof adjacent the axis of rotation of the armrests, and the means for guiding the armrests comprises a pair of support braces attached to the frame, each support brace having a vertical member attached perpendicularly to a horizontal member, and a curved member connected to the vertical and horizontal members, and wherein the means for limiting the range ofrotation of the armrests comprises an upper block positioned at the juncture of the vertical member and curved member of each support brace, and a lower block positioned at the juncture of the horizontal member and curved member of each support brace, whereby one side of said end portions contacts the upper blocks when the armrests are in a lowered position and an opposite side of said end portions contact the lower blocks when the armrest is in a raised position.

102. The system of claim 98, further comprising means for assisting rotation of the toilet bowl, means for limiting the rate of rotation of the bowl, and means for limiting the range of rotation of said bowl.

103. The system of claim 102, wherein the toilet bowl is mounted to a support plate having a pair of bars extending laterally outward therefrom, said bars being rotatably attached to a pair of support braces and at least one of said bars having an arm extending radially outward therefrom, and wherein the means for assisting rotation of the toilet bowl comprises a linkage assembly adapted to interconnect shoulders of the armrests to a corresponding arm, whereby raising the toilet bowl rotates the arm, the linkage assembly pulls the armrest shoulders, and the armrests rotate upward.

104. The system of claim 103, wherein the means for limiting the rate at which the toilet bowl is rotated comprises a shock absorber having a cylinder attached to the frame and an extendable piston therein attached to the arm.

105. The system of claim 104, wherein the means for limiting the range of rotation of the toilet bowl comprises upper and lower pivot stops attached to the toilet bowl support braces.

106. A sanitary waste disposal system for use with a water supply and a sewer line, the system comprising:
a frame;
a cabinet positioned inside the frame, the cabinet having side walls and a back wall which define an interior chamber;
wash means extending into the interior chamber of the cabinet;
a cover moveable between a substantially vertical position in which said cover is spaced apart from the back wall of the cabinet and adjacent front edges of the cabinet side walls, and a withdrawn position in which a back surface of the cover is adjacent the back wall of the cabinet, the cover having an aperture therein for receiving the wash means;
a toilet bowl having a side wall defining a cavity, a rotatable seat positioned adjacent top edges of the side wall, an inlet opening for receiving water from a water supply, and a discharge opening for draining water therefrom, said bowl being rotatable from a substantially horizontal lowered position outside the frame to a raised position in which a substantial portion of the bowl is inside the interior chamber of the cabinet and the wash means extends into the toilet bowl cavity;
a pair of spaced apart armrests positioned above the toilet bowl when the bowl is in the lowered position, said armrests being pivotable about a horizontal axis independent of each other and the toilet bowl, and being adapted to cooperate with the toilet bowl such that the armrests rotate upward when the toilet bowl is raised; and a wasteline in fluid flow communication with the toilet bowl outlet opening and the sewer line, the wasteline being moveable to accommodate for the rotation of the toilet bowl between the lowered and raised positions.

107. The system of claim 106, wherein a substantial portion of the toilet bowl seat bears against a front surface of the cover when the toilet bowl is in the raised position.

108. The system of claim 107, wherein the cover pivots about the same axis as the toilet bowl seat.

109. The system of claim 108, wherein the shape and size of the cabinet interior chamber is substantially the same as the shape and size of the toilet bowl to provide a close fit between the cabinet side walls and the toilet bowl side walls.

110. The system of claim 106, further comprising means for guiding the armrests and means for limiting the range of rotation of the armrests.

111. The system of claim 110, further comprising means for assisting rotation of the toilet bowl, means for limiting the rate of rotation of the bowl, and means for limiting the range of rotation of said bowl.

112. A sanitary waste disposal system for use with a water supply and a sewer line, the system comprising:
a frame;
a cabinet positioned inside the frame, the cabinet having side walls and a back wall which define an interior chamber;
wash means extending into the interior chamber of the cabinet;
a cover moveable between a substantially vertical position in which said cover is spaced apart from the back wall of the cabinet and adjacent front edges of the cabinet side walls, and a withdrawn position in which a back surface of the cover is adjacent the back wall of the cabinet, the cover having an aperture therein for receiving the wash means;
a support plate having a pair of bars extending laterally outward therefrom, said bars being rotatably attached to a pair of support braces and atleast one of said bars having an arm extending radially outward therefrom;
a toilet bowl mounted to the support plate and having a side wall defining a cavity, a rotatable seat positioned adjacent top edges of the side wall, an inlet opening for receiving water from a water supply, and a discharge opening for draining water therefrom, said bowl being rotatable from a substantially horizontal lowered position outside the frame to a raised position in which a substantial portion of the bowl is inside the interior chamber of the cabinet and the wash means extends into the toilet bowl cavity;
first linkage assemblies interconnecting the ends of each arm to the frame, said linkage assemblies having a spring therebetween;

upper and lower pivot stops attached to the toilet bowl support braces for limiting the range of rotation of the toilet bowl;
a pair of shock absorbers having a cylinder attached to the frame and an extendable piston therein attached to the end of the corresponding pivot brace arm to limit the rate at which the toilet bowl rotates;
a pair of armrest support braces attached to the frame, each support brace having a vertical member attached perpendicularly to a horizontal member and a curved member connected to the vertical and horizontal members, each support brace also having an upper block positioned at the juncture of the vertical member and curved member thereof, and a lower block positioned at the juncture of the horizontal member and curved member thereof;
a pair of spaced apart armrests, each armrest having an end rotatably attached to a corresponding support brace adjacent the juncture of thehorizontal and vertical members thereof, and having a shoulder extending perpendicularly from said end, whereby a face of each shoulder end portion contacts the corresponding upper block when the armrests are in a lowered position and an opposite face of each end portion contacts the lower blocks whenthe armrest is in a raised position to limit the range of rotation of the armrests;
second linkage assemblies interconnecting each armrest shoulder to the corresponding support plate arm, whereby raising the toilet bowl rotates thebar and the arms, the linkage assembly pulls the armrest shoulders, and the armrests rotate upward, and whereby the armrests are pivotable independent of each other and the toilet bowl, and cooperate with the toilet bowl such that thearmrests rotate upward when the toilet bowl is raised and the toilet bowl rotates downward when an armrest is pulled downward; and a wasteline in fluid flow communication with the toilet bowl outlet opening and the sewer line, the wasteline being moveable to accommodate for the rotation of the toilet bowl between the lowered and raised positions.

113. A sanitary waste disposal system for use with a water supply and a sewer line, the system comprising:
a toilet bowl having an inlet opening for receiving water from a water supply and a discharge opening for draining water therefrom, said bowl being rotatable from a substantially horizontal lowered position to a substantially vertical raised position;
means for supplying water to the toilet bowl inlet opening, said means being adapted to accommodate for the rotation of the toilet bowl;
a wasteline in fluid flow communication with the toilet bowl discharge opening and the sewer line, at least a portion of the wasteline being moveable between a raised trap-forming position in which the underside of said portion is higher than the discharge opening to maintain a desired level of water in the toilet bowl and block odors from the sewer line, and a lowered drain position in which the underside of said portion is at least lower than said level of water in the toilet bowl to create a pressure differential which induces flow to the sewer line, said wasteline also having at least a portion thereof which is moveable toaccommodate for the rotation of the toilet bowl between the horizontal and vertical positions; and means for moving the wasteline between the raised trap-forming position and lowered drain position to flush waste from the toilet bowl.

114. The system of claim 113, wherein at least a portion of the wasteline is flexible.

115. The system of claim 114, wherein at least a portion of the wasteline is rotatable.

116. The system of claim 115, wherein the portion of the wasteline moveable between the trap-forming and drain positions is rigid and rotatable, and a flexible portion of the wasteline is connected at one end to said rigid portion and at the other end to the sewer line, whereby the rigid portion rotates downward and the flexible portion moves downward to initiate the flushing cycle, and the flexible portion moves to accommodate for the rotation of the toilet bowl.

117. The system of claim 116, wherein the flexible portion of the wasteline is made of rubber.

118. The system of claim 113, further comprising means for regulating the supply of water to the toilet bowl inlet opening and for substantially simultaneously moving the wasteline between the raised and lowered positions, whereby water flows to the inlet opening while the wasteline is in the lowered position and stops flowing approximately when the wasteline is in the raised position and the water level in the toilet bowl is substantially the same as the water level in the raised portion of the wasteline.

119. The system of claim 113, wherein the means for supplying water to the toilet bowl includes a flexible flush water line connected at one end to a water tank and at another end to the toilet bowl inlet opening.

120. The system of claim 113, further comprising means for enclosing the toilet bowl and means for washing an interior surface thereof when said bowlis in the retracted position.

121. The system of claim 113, further comprising rotatable armrests which cooperate with the toilet bowl such that the armrests rotate upward to a substantially vertical position when the toilet bowl is rotated to the retractedvertical position and cause the toilet bowl to rotate downward when an armrest is pulled downward.

122. The system of claim 121, wherein the armrests are rotatable independently of the toilet bowl.

123. The system of claim 122, wherein the armrests are rotatable independently of each other.

124. The system of claim 113, further comprising a retractable bidet tube which extends into an interior chamber of the toilet bowl and retracts therefromprior to flushing.

125. A sanitary waste disposal system for use with a water supply and a sewer line, the system comprising:
a vertically adjustable toilet bowl having an inlet opening for receiving water from a water supply and a discharge opening for draining water from the toilet bowl;
means for vertically moving the toilet bowl;
means for supplying water to the toilet bowl inlet opening, said means for supplying water being adapted to accommodate for changes in the height of the toilet bowl;
a wasteline in fluid flow communication with the toilet bowl discharge opening and the sewer line, at least a portion of the wasteline being moveable between a raised trap-forming position in which the underside of said portion is higher than the discharge opening to maintain a desired level of water in the toilet bowl and block odors from the sewer line, and a lowered drain position in which the underside of said portion is at least lower than said level of water in the toilet bowl to create a pressure differential which induces flow to the sewer line, the wasteline also having at least a portion thereof which is moveable to accommodate for changes in the toilet bowl height such that a portion of the wasteline is maintained in a trap-forming, pre-flush position and remains moveable between said position and the lowered drain position for any toilet bowl height;and means for moving the wasteline between the raised trap-forming position and the lowered drain position to flush waste from the toilet bowl.

126. The system of claim 125, wherein at least a portion of the wasteline is flexible.

127. The system of claim 126, wherein the wasteline extends transversely from the toilet bowl outlet opening and sewer line.

128. The system of claim 127, wherein the wasteline includes a substantially straight first segment extending at an angle laterally and downwardly away from the trap-forming portion thereof, and a substantially straight second segment extending downwardly from said first segment in substantially the opposite lateral direction toward the sewer line, whereby the flexible portion of the wasteline bends such that the angle between the first and second segments increases when the toilet bowl is raised to a desired elevation.

129. The system of claim 128, wherein at least a portion of the wasteline is rotatable.

130. The system of claim 129, wherein the portion of the wasteline moveable between the trap-forming and drain positions is rigid and rotatable, and said first and second segments are flexible, whereby the rigid portion rotates downward and the flexible portion moves downward to initiate the flushing cycle,and the flexible portion moves to accommodate for the change in height of the toilet bowl.

131. The system of claim 130, wherein the flexible portion of the wasteline is made of rubber.

132. The system of claim 125, wherein the means for supplying water to the toilet bowl includes a flexible water inlet supply line connected to the toilet bowl inlet opening and a water tank inlet.

133. The system of claim 132, further comprising means for regulating the supply of water to the toilet bowl inlet opening and for substantially simultaneously moving the wasteline between the raised and lowered positions, whereby water flows to the inlet opening while the wasteline is in the lowered position and stops flowing approximately when the wasteline is in the raised position and the water level in the toilet bowl is substantially the same as the water level in the raised portion of the wasteline.

134. The system of claim 125, further comprising an outer frame, a carrier frame positioned inside the outer frame and being vertically moveable within said outer frame, and wherein the toilet bowl is connected to said carrier frame.

135. The system of claim 125, further comprising a retractable bidet tube which extends into an interior chamber of the toilet bowl and retracts therefromprior to flushing.

136. A sanitary waste disposal system for use with a water supply and a sewer line, the system comprising:
a vertically adjustable, rotatable toilet bowl having an inlet opening for receiving water from a water supply and a discharge opening for draining water from the toilet bowl;

means for vertically moving the toilet bowl;
means for supplying water to the toilet bowl inlet opening, said means for supplying water being adapted to accommodate for changes in the height of the toilet bowl and the rotation of the toilet bowl; and a wasteline in fluid flow communication with the toilet bowl discharge opening and the sewer line, the wasteline having at least a portion thereof which is moveable to accommodate for changes in the toilet bowl height, and at least a portion thereof which is moveable to accommodate for the rotationof the toilet bowl between the horizontal and vertical positions.

137. The system of claim 136, wherein at least a portion of the wasteline is flexible.

138. The system of claim 137, wherein the wasteline extends transversely from the toilet bowl outlet opening and sewer line.

139. The system of claim 138, wherein the wasteline includes a substantially straight first segment extending at an angle laterally and downwardly away from the toilet bowl outlet opening, and a substantially straight second segment extending downward from said first segment in substantially the oppositelateral direction toward the sewer line, whereby the flexible portion of the wasteline bends such that the angle between the first and second segments increases when the toilet bowl is raised to a desired elevation.

140. The system of claim 139, wherein at least a portion of the wasteline is rotatable.

141. The system of claim 136, wherein the means for supplying water to the toilet bowl includes a water tank positioned above the toilet bowl, a flexible water inlet supply line connected at one end to a water supply and at the other end to the water tank, and a flexible flush water line connected at one end to the water tank and at another end to the toilet bowl inlet opening.

142. The system of claim 136, further comprising an outer frame, a carrier frame positioned inside the outer frame and being vertically moveable within said outer frame, and wherein the toilet bowl is connected to said carrier frame.

143. The system of claim 136, further comprising means for enclosing the toilet bowl and means for washing an interior surface thereof when said bowlis in the retracted position.

144. The system of claim 136, further comprising rotatable armrests which cooperate with the toilet bowl such that the armrests rotate upward to a substantially vertical position when the toilet bowl is rotated to a retracted vertical position.

145. The system of claim 144, wherein the armrests are rotatable independently of the toilet bowl.

146. The system of claim 145, wherein the armrests are rotatable independently of each other.

147. A sanitary waste disposal system for use with a water supply and a sewer line, the system comprising:
a vertically adjustable, rotatable toilet bowl having an inlet opening for receiving water from a water supply and a discharge opening for draining water from the toilet bowl;
means for vertically moving the toilet bowl;
means for supplying water to the toilet bowl inlet opening, said means for supplying water being adapted to accommodate for changes in the height of the toilet bowl and the rotation of the toilet bowl;
a wasteline in fluid flow communication with the toilet bowl discharge opening and the sewer line, at least a portion of the wasteline being moveable between a raised trap-forming position in which the underside of said portion is higher than the discharge opening to maintain a desired level of water in the toilet bowl and block odors from the sewer line, and a lowered drain position in which the underside of said portion is at least lower than said level of water in the toilet bowl to create a pressure differential which induces flow to the sewer line, said wasteline also having at least a portion thereof which is moveable toaccommodate for the rotation of the toilet bowl between the horizontal and vertical positions, and at least a portion thereof which is moveable to accommodate for changes in the vertical height of the toilet bowl; and means for moving the wasteline between the raised trap-forming position and lowered drain position to flush waste from the toilet bowl.

148. The system of claim 147, wherein at least a portion of the wasteline is flexible.

149. The system of claim 148, wherein at least a portion of the wasteline is rotatable.

150. The system of claim 149, wherein the portion of the wasteline moveable between the trap-forming and drain positions is rigid and rotatable, and the portion of the wasteline moveable to accommodate for rotation of the toilet bowl and changes in the toilet bowl height is flexible.

151. The system of claim 150, wherein the flexible portion of the wasteline extends transversely from the rigid portion thereof and the sewer line.

152. The system of claim 151, wherein the flexible portion of the wasteline includes a substantially straight first segment extending at an angle laterally and downwardly away from the rigid portion of the wasteline, and a second substantially straight segment extending downward from said first segmentin substantially the opposite lateral direction, whereby the angle between the first and second segments increases when the toilet bowl is raised to a desired elevation, the flexible portion moves to accommodate for rotation of the bowl, and the rigid portion rotates downward to initiate a flushing cycle.

153. The system of claim 152, wherein the flexible portion of the wasteline is made of rubber.

154. The system of claim 147, further comprising means for regulating the supply of water to the toilet bowl inlet opening and for substantially simultaneously moving the wasteline between the raised and lowered positions, whereby water flows to the inlet opening while the wasteline is in the lowered position and stops flowing approximately when the wasteline is in the raised position and the water level in the toilet bowl is substantially the same as the water level in the raised portion of the wasteline.

155. The system of claim 147, wherein the means for supplying water to the toilet bowl includes a water tank positioned above the toilet bowl, a flexible water inlet supply line connected at one end to a water supply and at the other end to the water tank, and a flexible flush water line connected at one end to the water tank and at another end to the toilet bowl inlet opening.

156. The system of claim 147, further comprising means for enclosing the toilet bowl and means for washing an interior surface thereof when said bowlis in the retracted position.

157. The system of claim 147, further comprising rotatable armrests which cooperate with the toilet bowl such that the armrests rotate upward to a substantially vertical position when the toilet bowl is rotated to a retracted vertical position and cause the toilet bowl to rotate downward when an armrest is pulled downward.

158. The system of claim 157, wherein the armrests are rotatable independently of the toilet bowl.

159. The system of claim 158, wherein the armrests are rotatable independently of each other.

160. The system of claim 147, further comprising an outer frame, a carrier frame positioned within the outer frame and being vertically moveable within said outer frame, and wherein the toilet bowl is connected to said carrier frame.

161. The system of claim 160, further comprising a water tank attached to the carrier frame such that the tank moves vertically with the carrier frame and toilet bowl.

162. The system of claim 161, further comprising a plurality of front panels attached to the carrier frame, said panels being moveable with said carrier frame, and further comprising upper and lower collapsible bellows attached to said panels and the outer frame to conceal an interior of the outer frame when the carrier frame is in any vertical position.

163. A sanitary waste disposal system for use with a water supply and a sewer line, the system comprising:
an outer frame;

a carrier frame positioned inside the outer frame and being vertically moveable within said outer frame;
a toilet bowl connected to the carrier frame and having an inlet opening for receiving water from a water supply and a discharge opening for draining water from the toilet bowl, said bowl being rotatable from a substantially horizontal lowered position to a substantially vertical retracted position;
a water tank positioned above the toilet bowl and connected to the carrier frame;
a flexible water inlet supply line connected at one end to the water supply and at the other end to the water tank;
a flexible flush water line connected at one end to the water tank and at another end to the toilet bowl inlet opening;
means for vertically moving the carrier frame;
means for guiding the carrier frame vertically within the outer frame;
a wasteline in fluid flow communication with the toilet bowl discharge opening and the sewer line, the wasteline having a rigid portion rotatable between a raised trap-forming position in which the underside of said portion ishigher than the discharge opening to maintain a desired level of water in the toilet bowl and block odors from the sewer line, and a lowered drain position in which the underside of said portion is at least lower than said level of water in the toilet bowl to create a pressure differential which induces flow to the sewer line, said wasteline also having a flexible portion connected to the rigid portion and the sewer line, the flexible portion including a substantially straight first segment extending at an angle laterally and downwardly away from the rigid portion of the wasteline, and a second substantially straight segment extending downwardly fromsaid first segment in substantially the opposite lateral direction, whereby the angle between the first and second segments increases when the toilet bowl is raised to a desired elevation, the rigid portion rotates downward to initiate a flushing cycle, and the flexible portion moves to accommodate for rotation of the rigid portion and rotation of the bowl; and means for moving the wasteline between the raised trap-forming position and lowered drain position to flush waste from the toilet bowl.

164. The system of claim 163, wherein the means for moving the carrier frame comprises a motor-driven jack screw having an end rotatably attached to the outer frame and an opposite end portion adapted to threadably mate with an aperture in the carrier frame, whereby the carrier frame and its connected components move vertically within the outer frame when the screw is rotated.

165. The system of claim 163, further comprising rotatable armrests which cooperate with the toilet bowl such that the armrests rotate upward to a substantially vertical position when the toilet bowl is rotated to the retractedvertical position, said armrests also being independently rotatable when the toilet bowl is in the horizontal position.

166. The system of claim 163, further comprising means for enclosing the toilet bowl and means for washing an interior surface thereof when said bowlis in the retracted position.

167. The system of claim 166, further comprising a cabinet attached to the carrier frame and positioned substantially above and behind a toilet bowl, the cabinet having side walls and a back wall which define an interior chamber, and wherein the wash means extends into the interior chamber of the cabinet, the toilet bowl rotates from a substantially horizontal lowered position outside the frame to a raised position in which a substantial portion of the bowl is inside the interior chamber of the cabinet, and the wash means extends into a cavity formed by side walls of the toilet bowl.

168. The system of claim 167, further comprising retractable cover means for covering the interior chamber of the cabinet when the toilet bowl is in the lowered position.

169. The system of claim 168, wherein the cover means comprises a cover moveable between a substantially vertical position in which said cover is spaced apart from the back wall of the cabinet and adjacent front edges of the cabinet side walls, and a withdrawn position in which a back surface of the cover is adjacent the back wall of the cabinet, the cover having an aperture therein for receiving the wash means and being substantially the same size and shape as the portion of the cavity defined by the front edges of the cabinet side walls.

170. The system of claim 169, wherein the shape and size of the portion of the toilet bowl positioned inside the cabinet cavity is substantially the same as the shape and size of said cavity to provide a close fit between the cabinet side walls and the toilet bowl side walls.

171. The system of claim 170, wherein at least a top portion of the toilet bowl seat bears against a front surface of the cover when the toilet bowl is in the raised position.

172. The system of claim 163, further comprising a retractable bidet tube which extends into an interior chamber of the toilet bowl and retracts therefromprior to flushing.

173. The system of claim 163, further comprising means for assisting rotation of the toilet bowl, means for limiting the rate of rotation of the bowl, and means for limiting the range of rotation of said bowl.

174. A method of flushing waste from a sanitary waste disposal system, the disposal system including a toilet bowl having an inlet opening and a discharge opening, and a wasteline in fluid flow communication with the discharge opening and a sewer line, the method comprising:
lowering a trap-forming portion of the wasteline to thereby divert water and waste in the wasteline downwardly from the toilet bowl discharge opening to initiate the flushing cycle and provide an open, unobstructed drain;
raising the trap-forming portion of the wasteline to thereby divert the flow of water in the wasteline upwardly from the discharge opening after thewaste has been disposed of to provide a trap which blocks odors from the sewer line and maintains a corresponding level of water in the toilet bowl;
supplying water to the toilet bowl inlet opening to refill the toilet bowl; and stopping the supply of water to the toilet bowl inlet opening after water in the toilet bowl has reached a desired level.

175. The method of claim 174, further comprising the steps of extending a bidet tube into an interior chamber of the toilet bowl, activating a spray therefrom, and retracting the bidet tube before the fluid in the wasteline is diverted downwardly from the toilet bowl discharge opening.

176. The method of claim 174, wherein the step of lowering the trap forming portion of the wasteline comprises lowering at least a portion of the wasteline such that the underside of said portion is lower than the discharge opening, and the step of raising the trap-forming portion of the wasteline comprises raising said portion of the wasteline such that the underside thereof is higher than the discharge opening.

177. The method of claim 176, further comprising the step of regulating the supply of water to the toilet bowl substantially simultaneously with the steps of raising and lowering of the wasteline.

178. The method of claim 177, wherein the step of regulating the supply of water to the toilet bowl and substantially simultaneously moving the wasteline comprises releasing a latched linkage assembly to lower the wasteline and open aflow control valve, and putting the linkage in tension to raise the wasteline and close the flow control valve, whereby waste in the toilet bowl drains out of thewasteline and water flows from a water supply to the toilet bowl when the wasteline is in the lowered position, and water stops flowing from the toilet bowl and water tank substantially when the wasteline is in the raised position.

179. The method of claim 178, wherein the step of putting the linkage assembly in tension comprises lowering a buoyant mass within a water tank such that the mass descends at the same rate as the level of water in the tank as thewater flows to the toilet bowl inlet opening, said mass contacting the linkage assembly at least when the water level is relatively low.

180. The method of claim 179, further comprising the step of latching the linkage assembly after a flushing cycle.

181. The method of claim 180, further comprising the steps of pushing a latch to contact a limit switch prior to lowering the wasteline, sending a signal from the switch to a bidet servo-device, extending a bidet tube into an interiorchamber of the toilet bowl and activating a spray therefrom, and releasing the latch such that the signal is terminated, the bidet retracts, and the linkage assembly moves to lower the wasteline and open the flow control valve.

182. The method of claim 181, further comprising the step of blowing hot air into a core formed in the toilet bowl such that said air exits through an opening in the bowl to dry a person after using the bidet.