CA2337185A1 - Urinal structure with cleanout fitting - Google Patents
Urinal structure with cleanout fitting Download PDFInfo
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- CA2337185A1 CA2337185A1 CA 2337185 CA2337185A CA2337185A1 CA 2337185 A1 CA2337185 A1 CA 2337185A1 CA 2337185 CA2337185 CA 2337185 CA 2337185 A CA2337185 A CA 2337185A CA 2337185 A1 CA2337185 A1 CA 2337185A1
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- urinal
- outlet pipe
- opening
- water
- tight
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Abstract
A urinal structure is mounted on a wall and includes an outlet pipe in fluid communication with the basin of the urinal for disposal of waste water from the urinal during a flushing action. Outlet pipes of urinals tend to develop deposits of a usually gel-like residue which needs to be removed and cleaned away from the outlet pipe from time to time. The present invention provides a cleanout opening formed in the urinal structure in a position not more than 30° away from the horizontally disposed longitudinal axis of the outlet pipe, which opening is normally closed with an air-tight and water-tight plug; but when the plug is removed, access is made to the outlet pipe for purposes of cleaning the pipe. The invention recognizes that there may be several types of urinals, including standard urinals and siphon-type urinals, and the invention is applicable to both embodiments. Significant savings in time are achieved, because it is not necessary to de-mount the urinal from the wall.
As well, there is less risk of exposure to toxins and spillage. The invention also provides for retrofitting existing urinals so that their outlet pipes may be cleaned without de-mounting the urinals from the wall.
As well, there is less risk of exposure to toxins and spillage. The invention also provides for retrofitting existing urinals so that their outlet pipes may be cleaned without de-mounting the urinals from the wall.
Description
URINAL STRUCTURE WITH CLEANOUT FITTING
FIELD OF THE INVENTION:
[0001 ] This invention relates to urinals, particularly to urinals of the sort that may be found in public buildings of all sorts. Specifically, the present invention relates to urinals which have a structure which permits cleaning of the outlet pipe of the urinal, without removing the urinal from the wall.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION:
[0001 ] This invention relates to urinals, particularly to urinals of the sort that may be found in public buildings of all sorts. Specifically, the present invention relates to urinals which have a structure which permits cleaning of the outlet pipe of the urinal, without removing the urinal from the wall.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
[0002] The presence of urinals, particularly arranged in washrooms for men, is well known in public buildings and other public places of all sorts. Urinals are usually mounted to or hung from a wall, within which are the necessary plumbing pipes for delivery of water to the urinal and for delivery of waste away from the urinal. Most urinals are constructed of pottery or ceramic material, but some may be constructed of plastic or metal such as stainless steel.
[0003] Most urinals, especially urinals which are raised off the floor to some extent, are one of two basic types of urinals - standard and siphonic. In each case, a water control valve is arranged for flushing the urinal after its use, by which a quantity of water such as four litres is delivered. A basin is arranged in the bottom portion of the urinal, in which fresh water collects, to be replaced by new water after the urinal is used.
Urinals are arranged in such a manner as to have a trap so as to avoid egress of sewer gas from the down pipe to which waste water is delivered, out through the urinal structure to the room where the urinal is installed.
Urinals are arranged in such a manner as to have a trap so as to avoid egress of sewer gas from the down pipe to which waste water is delivered, out through the urinal structure to the room where the urinal is installed.
[0004] While the likelihood of a physical blockage of the outlet pipe of a urinal is quite limited, there does develop a partial blockage which occurs particularly in the horizontally disposed outlet pipe for a urinal. That partial blockage is essentially a gel-like substance which may arise from chemical interaction of many substances which may be found to be dissolved in or carried by urine, and sedimentation of such substances, and may also come as a result of sedimentation or settling out of flocculates as they may form in waste water as it is being delivered away from a urinal after use.
[0005] It is that gel-like substance which must be cleaned out occasionally, otherwise delivery of waste water during a flushing action of a urinal may be slowed down, resulting in yet further deposit of the gel-like substance; and possibly, in time, resulting in overflow of a urinal during a flushing action due to obstruction of the outlet pipe as a consequence of the presence of the gel-like substance.
[0006] As it happens, the gel-like residue which is found in the outlet pipe for a urinal is generally fairly soft, so that it may be cleaned away, but only by such actions as a scraping action coupled with a flushing action to remove the residue as it is scraped off the inside surface of the outlet pipe, or by the use of high pressure water so as to dislodge the residue and wash it away from the outlet pipe into a down pipe. The use of a rotary auger of the sort that may be employed for unblocking toilets, sinks, and basins, is not necessary nor indicated, due to the nature of the gel-like residue which is found in outlet pipes of urinals.
[0007] However, as a consequence of the trap system of a urinal, so as to avoid egress of sewer gas, the outlet pipe from a urinal is not easily accessible, as it is hidden away from view and is therefore not accessible by the use of such tools as rods, nozzles, or the like. Moreover, the arrangement of a urinal structure is generally such that use of a flexible tool or hose is also not possible, because of the inaccessibility of the outlet pipe.
[0008] Therefore, in order to clean a urinal - that is, in particular, to clean the gel-like residue which is found in the outlet pipe from a urinal - it has been necessary until now to remove the urinal from the wall. This has necessitated the disconnection of the water supply for the urinal, the disconnection from the outlet pipe which is located in the wall, and the removal of the urinal from the wall by undoing the appropriate bolts or screws which hold it in place. Typically, the amount of time required to clean one urinal is three hours or more, including the time to dismantle the urinal from the wall, clean the outlet pipe, and remount the urinal to the wall with the necessary re-connection of plumbing fittings.
[0009] Quite unexpectedly, the inventors herein have discovered that it is possible to alter the structure of a urinal in such a manner that access to the outlet pipe can be achieved without de-mounting the urinal from the wall. What the inventors herein have discovered is that it is possible either to provide a urinal structure which has a cleanout opening therein, or to retrofit existing urinal structures - with care - so as to put a cleanout opening in the urinal so that the outlet pipe for that urinal may henceforth be cleaned very easily and quickly.
[0010] The advantages of the present invention therefore become obvious.
First, there may be a significant savings in time - typically, 20 or 30 minutes are required per urinal, as opposed to three hours per urinal. That, of course, results in considerably lower costs to the owner or manager of the building where the urinals are placed.
Another principal advantage of the present invention is one of relative hygiene, there being considerably less spillage, exposure by the plumber to potentially toxic materials in the gel-like residue, and very simply less likelihood of spillage, flooding, or the like because there is no necessity to disconnect plumbing fittings or de-mount the urinals from the wall.
[0011 ] Of course, whenever a urinal is de-mounted from the wall, there is always a chance that re-mounting will not be properly completed the first time. This may result in yet further wastage of time, spillage, etc.
[0012] One prior art patent has come to the attention of the inventors, being EVANS United States Patent 5,987,684, issued November 23, 1999. That patent is directed to a urinal auger, but specifically discusses the circumstance where a physical blockage has occurred in a urinal drain. It also illustrates a urinal drain which is not, in fact, found in practise, since it suggests a trap which is located in the wall.
[0013] While urinals of the sort being described herein may be found in private homes, their most common placement is in any building which is accessible to the public, such as arenas and auditoria, office buildings, shopping malls, public toilets found in parks and the like, train and bus stations, factories, schools, and so on. As noted, the substantial savings in time and money to the owner or manager of the establishment where a plurality of urinals are installed, may be very significant, as well as the lower risk of exposure to toxins and the like on the part of the plumbers or other technicians who are employed for purposes of cleaning the urinal outlet pipes. Those tasks are outside the scope and skill of ordinary janitorial services, where daily surface cleaning and maintenance steps are undertaken.
[0014] To that end, the present inventors provide structures which will permit easy access to outlet pipes of urinals, methods of cleaning the urinals; and as well, the present inventors provide a method or retrofitting the very large installed inventory of urinals that already exist. Moreover, the present inventors not only recognize the significant structural differences between standard urinal structures and siphonic urinal structures, but recognize as well that the improvement to such structures whereby access to the outlet pipe may be achieved without the necessity for de-mounting the urinal from the wall, may be accomplished by following the teachings of the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
[0015] The present invention provides a urinal structure for mounting on a wall in which a water pipe and a vertically disposed down pipe are installed. Any urinal structure to which the present invention specifically applies includes a basin which is located near the bottom of the urinal, and which is in fluid communication with an integral trap formed in the urinal structure, and a water valve located near the top of the structure and fluid communication with the water pipe for flushing action control of the urinal. A deflector is found in the urinal, extending forwardly and downwardly from a rear wall thereof, above the basin. An outlet pipe is in fluid communication with the basin and is connected to the down pipe. The outlet pipe is horizontally disposed, and has a horizontally disposed longitudinal axis.
[0016] The outlet pipe is located in the position which is at least behind the deflector so as to be out of sight from the front of the urinal.
[0017] The urinal further comprises a water-tight and air-tight removable plug which is placed in an opening formed in the urinal structure in a position which is not more than 30° away from the horizontally disposed longitudinal axis of the outlet pipe.
Thus, access to the outlet pipe may be achieved through the opening.
[0018] As will be discussed in greater detail hereafter, in a standard washdown urinal construction, the opening is located in the deflector.
[0019] However, also as described hereafter, in siphonic urinal structures, the urinal further comprises an internally located siphon passageway which is in fluid communication and is positioned between the basin and the outlet pipe. The siphon passageway includes a front defining wall as an integral part of the urinal structure. The opening in such urinals is located in the front defining wall of the siphon passageway.
[0020] If the opening is threaded, the plug which provides a water-tight and air-tight seal in the opening may also be threaded, for fitment into the opening.
[0021 ] More generally, however, especially where the urinal is a glazed pottery structure, a generally circular opening will be formed in the appropriate location - the deflector or the front defining wall of the siphon passageway - and the plug is such as to be longitudinally and laterally deformable such that when the plug is placed in the opening it has a diameter not greater than that of the opening, and the plug has a first length. However, the plug is capable of being deformed longitudinally so as to have a length which is shorter than the first length, and at such time its diameter increases so as to impinge upon the interior wall defining the opening and so as to be sealed thereagainst in a water-tight and air-tight manner.
[0022] Of course, it is also possible that the plug might be a tapered plug which is driven into the opening, but the air-tightness and water-tightness of such a plug may not be assured. Indeed, another feature of the present invention, which is described hereafter, is an apparatus for testing the air-tightness of the plug.
[0023] In keeping with the present invention, and having in mind that there is a very large installed inventory of urinals which must be de-mounted from the wall so as to clean the outlet pipe thereof, the present invention provides a method of retrofitting urinals for access to the outlet pipe. The urinal would be, of course, as described above.
The method of the present invention by which the urinal can be retrofitted includes the steps of:
[0024] a) forming an opening in the urinal structure in a position which is not more than 30° away from the horizontally disposed longitudinal axis of the outlet pipe.
[0025] b) placing a removable plug in the opening so as to form a water-tight and air-tight seal with the opening.
[0026] Once again, in the case of a standard washdown urinal, the opening will be placed in the deflector. Otherwise, the opening will be placed in the front defining wall of the siphon passageway of the urinal structure.
[0027] The methods of forming openings, particularly in pottery urinals, are beyond the scope of the present invention. However, such methods will be well known to skilled practitioners, and may generally comprise carefully drilling the urinal structure using a diamond core bit and an appropriate air driven or other drill bit holder and driver.
[0028] It follows that another aspect of the present invention is that, once the urinal structure in keeping with the present invention is provided, a method for cleaning the outlet pipe of a urinal is also provided. That method comprises the steps of:
[0029] a) removing the removable plug from the opening.
[0030] b) passing a cleaning element through the opening and into the outlet pipe so as to clear away debris and sediment which are deposited in the outlet pipe.
[0031 ] c) removing the cleaning element from the outlet pipe after the debris and sediment have been cleared away.
[0032] d) replacing the removable plug in the opening so as to once again form a water-tight and air-tight seal therewith.
[0033] The cleaning element may be chosen from the group which consists of augers, high pressure hoses, scrapers, and combinations thereof. Typically, the cleaning element is a high pressure hose.
[0034] Particularly when the cleaning element is a high pressure hose, but even if the cleaning element is a scraper of some sort, the method of cleaning the outlet pipe may also comprise the step of:
[0035] e) following step (b) noted above, intermittently activating the water valve so as to cause a flushing action of the urinal. Of course, it is evident that such a step could not occur if the urinal had been de-mounted from the wall.
[0036] Finally, the present invention provides an apparatus for use in association with a urinal such as any described above, whereby the air-tightness of the water-tight and air-tight removable plug may be tested when the plug is in place in its opening. The apparatus comprises a vacuum chamber element and a vacuum creating means for drawing a vacuum in the vacuum chamber. The vacuum chamber element is adapted for air-tight fitment to the structure of the urinal in the region thereof where the opening is formed and where the removable plug is placed. There is a gauge means associated with the apparatus so as to determine when a vacuum has been drawn in the vacuum chamber element by the vacuum creating means. Thus, when a vacuum is drawn in the vacuum chamber element, the air-tightness of the removable plug when it is in place in its opening may be determined, by observing after a reasonable period of time -say, five to fifteen minutes - whether the plug has come loose and been dislodged from the opening.
[0037] Typically, the vacuum creating means may be a vacuum pump; or, for purposes of providing a self contained apparatus, the vacuum creating means may comprise a cylinder which has a piston that is axially movable therein so as to draw a vacuum in the vacuum chamber element as the piston is moved in a direction away from the vacuum chamber element.
[0038] An object of the present invention is to provide a urinal structure which permits cleaning the outlet pipe without the necessity for de-mounting the urinal from the wall on which it is mounted.
[0039] Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for retrofitting urinals so as to allow access to the outlet pipe for cleaning purposes.
[0040] Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a method for cleaning the outlet pipe of a urinal without de-mounting the urinal from the wall.
[0041] Still a further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus which tests the air-tightness of a plug which is placed in the cleanout opening placed in a urinal, in keeping with other teachings of the present invention.
[0042] These and other objects of the invention are described in greater detail hereafter, in association with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:
[0043] The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the present invention, as to its structure, organization, use and method of operation, together with further objectives and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following drawings in which a presently preferred embodiment of the invention will now be illustrated by way of example. It is expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. Embodiments of this invention will now be described by way of example in association with the accompanying drawings in which:
[0044] Figure 1 is a side elevation of a typical, standard washdown urinal, in keeping with the present invention;
[0045] Figure 2 is a side elevation of a siphonic urinal in keeping with the present invention;
[0046] Figures 3a and 3b are side elevations of a typical plug which is used in keeping with teachings of the present invention; and [0047] Figure 4 is a diagrammatic view of an apparatus for testing the air-tightness of a plug, in keeping with the present invention;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS:
[0048] The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the present invention, as to its structure, organization, use and method of operation, together with further objectives and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following discussion.
[0049] Referring first to Figure 1, a cross section of a typical standard washdown urinal 10 is shown. The urinal 10 is mounted on a wall 12, within which a water pipe 14 and a down pipe 16 are installed. The water pipe carries a supply of water under pressure, as is usual, to a water valve 18 installed on the urinal 10. The urinal is mounted or otherwise connected to the wall 12 by bolts or other mounting means, not shown.
[0050] Typically, the down pipe 16 is empty, and it connects to the atmosphere through a vent (not shown) and to the sewage system at the bottom of the down pipe.
The purpose of the down pipe is, of course, to carry waste water and other waste from urinals and toilets, basins, etc., which are installed in the building.
[0051 ] Near the bottom of the urinal 10 there is a basin 20, in which a quantity of water 22 collects. Obviously, the water valve 18 which is located near the top of the urinal 10 is in fluid communication with the water pipe 14 for a flushing action of the urinal, during which water and urine mixed therein will be flushed away from the urinal and replaced by fresh water 22 in the basin 20.
[0052] The structure of the urinal 10 of Figure 1 is such that there is a deflector 24 which is formed near the rear of the urinal in such a manner that it extends forwardly and downwardly from a rear wall 26 and above the basin 20.
[0053] An outlet pipe 28 extends rearwardly from the urinal 10, and provides fluid communication from the basin 20 to the down pipe 16. The outlet pipe 28 is horizontally disposed, and has a horizontally disposed longitudinal axis 30.
[0054] As can be seen, the outlet pipe 28 is located in a position which is behind the deflector 24, and it is out of sight from the front of the urinal 10.
Moreover, it will be seen that the configuration of the urinal 10, together with the outlet pipe 28, is such as to provide a trap so that sewer gas which may be present in the down pipe 16 and which may pass through the outlet pipe 28 will not egress away from the urinal 10 due to the presence of water 22 in the basin 20 thereof.
[0055] Accordingly, the present invention provides for a water-tight and air-tight removable plug 32 to be placed in an opening 34 which is formed in the structure of the urinal in a position which is not more than 30° away from the horizontally disposed longitudinal axis 30 of the outlet pipe 28. In this case, the water-tight and air-tight removable plug 32 is formed in the deflector 24.
[0056] The reason for the opening 34 being in a location which is not more than 30° away from the horizontally disposed longitudinal axis 30 of the outlet pipe 28 is that the cleaning element which will be used to clean the outlet pipe 28, in a manner described hereafter, is generally not flexible, or is flexible only to a certain extent.
Moreover, the cleaning element is not particularly steerable.
[0057] For example, a cleaning element which would follow the locus 36 would, as indicated in Figure 1, probably not contact the outer end of the outlet pipe 28. Even if it were to do so, it would not bend once again to enter into the outlet pipe 28.
[0058] On the other hand, a cleaning element which follows the locus 38 through the opening 34 when the plug 32 is removed therefrom, will quite easily enter into the outlet pipe 28 and traverse the length thereof.
[0059] Accordingly, the structure of Figure 1 provides a urinal which is such that access to the outlet pipe 28 may be achieved through the opening 34 when the removable plug 32 is removed therefrom.
[0060] It will be evident that the removable plug 32 must be air-tight and water-tight. Particularly, the removable plug 32 must be air-tight so that sewer gas in the down pipe 16 and communicating through the horizontally disposed outlet pipe 28 will not egress away from the urinal 10 through the opening 34, but will be blocked by the water 22 lying in the basin 20 between the deflector 24 and the outlet pipe 28.
[0061 ] Referring now to Figure 2, a different configuration of urinal 50 is shown.
Since a number of features and characteristics of the urinal, and its installation, are similar to those of the urinal 10 shown in Figure 1, like reference numerals are used in Figure 2 where appropriate.
[0062] The structure of the urinal 50 is such that it is a siphon-type urinal, where the outlet pipe 28 is installed in the wall at a point which is considerably below the basin 20, the intervening distance being occupied by a siphon passageway 52. That siphon passageway 52 is characterized and defined by an extension of the back wall 26 at the rear side of the passageway 52, and by a front defining wall 54 which is also an integral part of the urinal structure, as seen in Figure 2. Obviously, the siphon passageway 52 is in fluid communication and is positioned between the basin 20 and the outlet pipe 28.
Typically, siphon-type urinals are equipped with a water jet opening 40 which is also connected to the water valve 18, as shown schematically in Figure 2. The purpose of the water jet is to ensure an adequate flushing action of the urinal when the water valve 18 is activated.
[0063] In the embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 2, which is relevant to siphon-type urinals, an opening 56 is formed in the front defining wall 54 of the siphon passageway 52, and a water-tight and air-tight removable plug 58 is placed in the opening 56. The positioning of the opening 56 is such that it is not more than 30°
away from the horizontally disposed longitudinal axis 30 of the outlet pipe 28.
[0064] A small residual amount of water 60 may be found at the bottom of the siphon passageway 52. However, it will be evident that any sewer gas which is present in the down pipe 16 and which may therefore be present in the outlet pipe 28 and the siphon passageway 52 will not egress away from the urinal 50 due to the presence of the water 22 in the basin 20, as before.
[0065] In the outlet pipe 28 of urinals in keeping with embodiments typically as shown in Figures 1 and 2, there may be a build up of sediment or residue 70, which residue generally has a gel-like consistency. However, the residue 70 is not easily removed without a physical cleaning action, and the washing or flushing action of water moving through the outlet pipe 28 when the urinal is flushed being generally not sufficient to wash away the residue 70. This leads to a build up of the residue which, over time, can impede the flow of water and waste material through the outlet pipe 28, thereby slowing down the flushing action of the urinal 10 or 50, and possibly resulting in an overflow of the water or waste water in the basin 20 or the urinal 10 or 50.
[0066] Accordingly, it is necessary to periodically remove the gel-like residue 70 or other debris or sediment which may collect in the horizontally disposed outlet pipe 28;
and accordingly, access to that gel-like residue 70 or other debris or sediment may be attained by removing the water-tight and air-tight plug 32 from the opening 34, or removing the water-tight and air-tight plug 58 from the opening 56.
First, there may be a significant savings in time - typically, 20 or 30 minutes are required per urinal, as opposed to three hours per urinal. That, of course, results in considerably lower costs to the owner or manager of the building where the urinals are placed.
Another principal advantage of the present invention is one of relative hygiene, there being considerably less spillage, exposure by the plumber to potentially toxic materials in the gel-like residue, and very simply less likelihood of spillage, flooding, or the like because there is no necessity to disconnect plumbing fittings or de-mount the urinals from the wall.
[0011 ] Of course, whenever a urinal is de-mounted from the wall, there is always a chance that re-mounting will not be properly completed the first time. This may result in yet further wastage of time, spillage, etc.
[0012] One prior art patent has come to the attention of the inventors, being EVANS United States Patent 5,987,684, issued November 23, 1999. That patent is directed to a urinal auger, but specifically discusses the circumstance where a physical blockage has occurred in a urinal drain. It also illustrates a urinal drain which is not, in fact, found in practise, since it suggests a trap which is located in the wall.
[0013] While urinals of the sort being described herein may be found in private homes, their most common placement is in any building which is accessible to the public, such as arenas and auditoria, office buildings, shopping malls, public toilets found in parks and the like, train and bus stations, factories, schools, and so on. As noted, the substantial savings in time and money to the owner or manager of the establishment where a plurality of urinals are installed, may be very significant, as well as the lower risk of exposure to toxins and the like on the part of the plumbers or other technicians who are employed for purposes of cleaning the urinal outlet pipes. Those tasks are outside the scope and skill of ordinary janitorial services, where daily surface cleaning and maintenance steps are undertaken.
[0014] To that end, the present inventors provide structures which will permit easy access to outlet pipes of urinals, methods of cleaning the urinals; and as well, the present inventors provide a method or retrofitting the very large installed inventory of urinals that already exist. Moreover, the present inventors not only recognize the significant structural differences between standard urinal structures and siphonic urinal structures, but recognize as well that the improvement to such structures whereby access to the outlet pipe may be achieved without the necessity for de-mounting the urinal from the wall, may be accomplished by following the teachings of the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
[0015] The present invention provides a urinal structure for mounting on a wall in which a water pipe and a vertically disposed down pipe are installed. Any urinal structure to which the present invention specifically applies includes a basin which is located near the bottom of the urinal, and which is in fluid communication with an integral trap formed in the urinal structure, and a water valve located near the top of the structure and fluid communication with the water pipe for flushing action control of the urinal. A deflector is found in the urinal, extending forwardly and downwardly from a rear wall thereof, above the basin. An outlet pipe is in fluid communication with the basin and is connected to the down pipe. The outlet pipe is horizontally disposed, and has a horizontally disposed longitudinal axis.
[0016] The outlet pipe is located in the position which is at least behind the deflector so as to be out of sight from the front of the urinal.
[0017] The urinal further comprises a water-tight and air-tight removable plug which is placed in an opening formed in the urinal structure in a position which is not more than 30° away from the horizontally disposed longitudinal axis of the outlet pipe.
Thus, access to the outlet pipe may be achieved through the opening.
[0018] As will be discussed in greater detail hereafter, in a standard washdown urinal construction, the opening is located in the deflector.
[0019] However, also as described hereafter, in siphonic urinal structures, the urinal further comprises an internally located siphon passageway which is in fluid communication and is positioned between the basin and the outlet pipe. The siphon passageway includes a front defining wall as an integral part of the urinal structure. The opening in such urinals is located in the front defining wall of the siphon passageway.
[0020] If the opening is threaded, the plug which provides a water-tight and air-tight seal in the opening may also be threaded, for fitment into the opening.
[0021 ] More generally, however, especially where the urinal is a glazed pottery structure, a generally circular opening will be formed in the appropriate location - the deflector or the front defining wall of the siphon passageway - and the plug is such as to be longitudinally and laterally deformable such that when the plug is placed in the opening it has a diameter not greater than that of the opening, and the plug has a first length. However, the plug is capable of being deformed longitudinally so as to have a length which is shorter than the first length, and at such time its diameter increases so as to impinge upon the interior wall defining the opening and so as to be sealed thereagainst in a water-tight and air-tight manner.
[0022] Of course, it is also possible that the plug might be a tapered plug which is driven into the opening, but the air-tightness and water-tightness of such a plug may not be assured. Indeed, another feature of the present invention, which is described hereafter, is an apparatus for testing the air-tightness of the plug.
[0023] In keeping with the present invention, and having in mind that there is a very large installed inventory of urinals which must be de-mounted from the wall so as to clean the outlet pipe thereof, the present invention provides a method of retrofitting urinals for access to the outlet pipe. The urinal would be, of course, as described above.
The method of the present invention by which the urinal can be retrofitted includes the steps of:
[0024] a) forming an opening in the urinal structure in a position which is not more than 30° away from the horizontally disposed longitudinal axis of the outlet pipe.
[0025] b) placing a removable plug in the opening so as to form a water-tight and air-tight seal with the opening.
[0026] Once again, in the case of a standard washdown urinal, the opening will be placed in the deflector. Otherwise, the opening will be placed in the front defining wall of the siphon passageway of the urinal structure.
[0027] The methods of forming openings, particularly in pottery urinals, are beyond the scope of the present invention. However, such methods will be well known to skilled practitioners, and may generally comprise carefully drilling the urinal structure using a diamond core bit and an appropriate air driven or other drill bit holder and driver.
[0028] It follows that another aspect of the present invention is that, once the urinal structure in keeping with the present invention is provided, a method for cleaning the outlet pipe of a urinal is also provided. That method comprises the steps of:
[0029] a) removing the removable plug from the opening.
[0030] b) passing a cleaning element through the opening and into the outlet pipe so as to clear away debris and sediment which are deposited in the outlet pipe.
[0031 ] c) removing the cleaning element from the outlet pipe after the debris and sediment have been cleared away.
[0032] d) replacing the removable plug in the opening so as to once again form a water-tight and air-tight seal therewith.
[0033] The cleaning element may be chosen from the group which consists of augers, high pressure hoses, scrapers, and combinations thereof. Typically, the cleaning element is a high pressure hose.
[0034] Particularly when the cleaning element is a high pressure hose, but even if the cleaning element is a scraper of some sort, the method of cleaning the outlet pipe may also comprise the step of:
[0035] e) following step (b) noted above, intermittently activating the water valve so as to cause a flushing action of the urinal. Of course, it is evident that such a step could not occur if the urinal had been de-mounted from the wall.
[0036] Finally, the present invention provides an apparatus for use in association with a urinal such as any described above, whereby the air-tightness of the water-tight and air-tight removable plug may be tested when the plug is in place in its opening. The apparatus comprises a vacuum chamber element and a vacuum creating means for drawing a vacuum in the vacuum chamber. The vacuum chamber element is adapted for air-tight fitment to the structure of the urinal in the region thereof where the opening is formed and where the removable plug is placed. There is a gauge means associated with the apparatus so as to determine when a vacuum has been drawn in the vacuum chamber element by the vacuum creating means. Thus, when a vacuum is drawn in the vacuum chamber element, the air-tightness of the removable plug when it is in place in its opening may be determined, by observing after a reasonable period of time -say, five to fifteen minutes - whether the plug has come loose and been dislodged from the opening.
[0037] Typically, the vacuum creating means may be a vacuum pump; or, for purposes of providing a self contained apparatus, the vacuum creating means may comprise a cylinder which has a piston that is axially movable therein so as to draw a vacuum in the vacuum chamber element as the piston is moved in a direction away from the vacuum chamber element.
[0038] An object of the present invention is to provide a urinal structure which permits cleaning the outlet pipe without the necessity for de-mounting the urinal from the wall on which it is mounted.
[0039] Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for retrofitting urinals so as to allow access to the outlet pipe for cleaning purposes.
[0040] Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a method for cleaning the outlet pipe of a urinal without de-mounting the urinal from the wall.
[0041] Still a further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus which tests the air-tightness of a plug which is placed in the cleanout opening placed in a urinal, in keeping with other teachings of the present invention.
[0042] These and other objects of the invention are described in greater detail hereafter, in association with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:
[0043] The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the present invention, as to its structure, organization, use and method of operation, together with further objectives and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following drawings in which a presently preferred embodiment of the invention will now be illustrated by way of example. It is expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. Embodiments of this invention will now be described by way of example in association with the accompanying drawings in which:
[0044] Figure 1 is a side elevation of a typical, standard washdown urinal, in keeping with the present invention;
[0045] Figure 2 is a side elevation of a siphonic urinal in keeping with the present invention;
[0046] Figures 3a and 3b are side elevations of a typical plug which is used in keeping with teachings of the present invention; and [0047] Figure 4 is a diagrammatic view of an apparatus for testing the air-tightness of a plug, in keeping with the present invention;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS:
[0048] The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the present invention, as to its structure, organization, use and method of operation, together with further objectives and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following discussion.
[0049] Referring first to Figure 1, a cross section of a typical standard washdown urinal 10 is shown. The urinal 10 is mounted on a wall 12, within which a water pipe 14 and a down pipe 16 are installed. The water pipe carries a supply of water under pressure, as is usual, to a water valve 18 installed on the urinal 10. The urinal is mounted or otherwise connected to the wall 12 by bolts or other mounting means, not shown.
[0050] Typically, the down pipe 16 is empty, and it connects to the atmosphere through a vent (not shown) and to the sewage system at the bottom of the down pipe.
The purpose of the down pipe is, of course, to carry waste water and other waste from urinals and toilets, basins, etc., which are installed in the building.
[0051 ] Near the bottom of the urinal 10 there is a basin 20, in which a quantity of water 22 collects. Obviously, the water valve 18 which is located near the top of the urinal 10 is in fluid communication with the water pipe 14 for a flushing action of the urinal, during which water and urine mixed therein will be flushed away from the urinal and replaced by fresh water 22 in the basin 20.
[0052] The structure of the urinal 10 of Figure 1 is such that there is a deflector 24 which is formed near the rear of the urinal in such a manner that it extends forwardly and downwardly from a rear wall 26 and above the basin 20.
[0053] An outlet pipe 28 extends rearwardly from the urinal 10, and provides fluid communication from the basin 20 to the down pipe 16. The outlet pipe 28 is horizontally disposed, and has a horizontally disposed longitudinal axis 30.
[0054] As can be seen, the outlet pipe 28 is located in a position which is behind the deflector 24, and it is out of sight from the front of the urinal 10.
Moreover, it will be seen that the configuration of the urinal 10, together with the outlet pipe 28, is such as to provide a trap so that sewer gas which may be present in the down pipe 16 and which may pass through the outlet pipe 28 will not egress away from the urinal 10 due to the presence of water 22 in the basin 20 thereof.
[0055] Accordingly, the present invention provides for a water-tight and air-tight removable plug 32 to be placed in an opening 34 which is formed in the structure of the urinal in a position which is not more than 30° away from the horizontally disposed longitudinal axis 30 of the outlet pipe 28. In this case, the water-tight and air-tight removable plug 32 is formed in the deflector 24.
[0056] The reason for the opening 34 being in a location which is not more than 30° away from the horizontally disposed longitudinal axis 30 of the outlet pipe 28 is that the cleaning element which will be used to clean the outlet pipe 28, in a manner described hereafter, is generally not flexible, or is flexible only to a certain extent.
Moreover, the cleaning element is not particularly steerable.
[0057] For example, a cleaning element which would follow the locus 36 would, as indicated in Figure 1, probably not contact the outer end of the outlet pipe 28. Even if it were to do so, it would not bend once again to enter into the outlet pipe 28.
[0058] On the other hand, a cleaning element which follows the locus 38 through the opening 34 when the plug 32 is removed therefrom, will quite easily enter into the outlet pipe 28 and traverse the length thereof.
[0059] Accordingly, the structure of Figure 1 provides a urinal which is such that access to the outlet pipe 28 may be achieved through the opening 34 when the removable plug 32 is removed therefrom.
[0060] It will be evident that the removable plug 32 must be air-tight and water-tight. Particularly, the removable plug 32 must be air-tight so that sewer gas in the down pipe 16 and communicating through the horizontally disposed outlet pipe 28 will not egress away from the urinal 10 through the opening 34, but will be blocked by the water 22 lying in the basin 20 between the deflector 24 and the outlet pipe 28.
[0061 ] Referring now to Figure 2, a different configuration of urinal 50 is shown.
Since a number of features and characteristics of the urinal, and its installation, are similar to those of the urinal 10 shown in Figure 1, like reference numerals are used in Figure 2 where appropriate.
[0062] The structure of the urinal 50 is such that it is a siphon-type urinal, where the outlet pipe 28 is installed in the wall at a point which is considerably below the basin 20, the intervening distance being occupied by a siphon passageway 52. That siphon passageway 52 is characterized and defined by an extension of the back wall 26 at the rear side of the passageway 52, and by a front defining wall 54 which is also an integral part of the urinal structure, as seen in Figure 2. Obviously, the siphon passageway 52 is in fluid communication and is positioned between the basin 20 and the outlet pipe 28.
Typically, siphon-type urinals are equipped with a water jet opening 40 which is also connected to the water valve 18, as shown schematically in Figure 2. The purpose of the water jet is to ensure an adequate flushing action of the urinal when the water valve 18 is activated.
[0063] In the embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 2, which is relevant to siphon-type urinals, an opening 56 is formed in the front defining wall 54 of the siphon passageway 52, and a water-tight and air-tight removable plug 58 is placed in the opening 56. The positioning of the opening 56 is such that it is not more than 30°
away from the horizontally disposed longitudinal axis 30 of the outlet pipe 28.
[0064] A small residual amount of water 60 may be found at the bottom of the siphon passageway 52. However, it will be evident that any sewer gas which is present in the down pipe 16 and which may therefore be present in the outlet pipe 28 and the siphon passageway 52 will not egress away from the urinal 50 due to the presence of the water 22 in the basin 20, as before.
[0065] In the outlet pipe 28 of urinals in keeping with embodiments typically as shown in Figures 1 and 2, there may be a build up of sediment or residue 70, which residue generally has a gel-like consistency. However, the residue 70 is not easily removed without a physical cleaning action, and the washing or flushing action of water moving through the outlet pipe 28 when the urinal is flushed being generally not sufficient to wash away the residue 70. This leads to a build up of the residue which, over time, can impede the flow of water and waste material through the outlet pipe 28, thereby slowing down the flushing action of the urinal 10 or 50, and possibly resulting in an overflow of the water or waste water in the basin 20 or the urinal 10 or 50.
[0066] Accordingly, it is necessary to periodically remove the gel-like residue 70 or other debris or sediment which may collect in the horizontally disposed outlet pipe 28;
and accordingly, access to that gel-like residue 70 or other debris or sediment may be attained by removing the water-tight and air-tight plug 32 from the opening 34, or removing the water-tight and air-tight plug 58 from the opening 56.
[0067] The nature of the plug 32 or 58 may vary, according to the circumstances surrounding its installation. Particularly when urinals are manufactured from pottery, and have some material thickness, the plug may be such that it is deformable longitudinally and laterally, as discussed hereafter. Otherwise, if the urinal is formed from a higher grade of vitreous china, or from a plastics material, for example, the opening 34 or 56 might be threaded, so that the plug is threaded - such as the plug 58 shown in Figure 2. The same conditions will apply also when the urinal is formed from metal, such as surgical grade stainless steel.
[0068] Otherwise, while the plug 32 or 58 might take the form of a tapered cork.
However, since the air-tightness of the plug can not be assured, especially in circumstances where there may be a build up of sewer gas in the down pipe 16 at a pressure which is higher than ambient pressure, care must be taken that the plug is air-tight as well as water-tight.
[0069] A typical plug structure is shown in Figures 3a and 3b, and is such as the plug 32 shown in Figure 1. Here, the plug is formed of a deformable rubber-like material, and is constructed with a centrally located mechanism (not shown) whereby when a handle 72 is activated, the length of the plug 32 shortens from an original or first length to a shorter or second installed length. At the same time, the diameter of the plug 32 increases in the manner shown in Figure 3b, and since the material of the plug 32 is deformable and may be to some extent compressible, an air-tight and water-tight fitment of the plug in its respective opening is assured upon actuation of the handle 72.
[0070] It follows from the above discussion that a urinal structure such as that which is shown at urinal 10 in Figure 1 or urinal 50 in Figure 2 may be provided to the market having a configuration similar to that which is illustrated. However, as is well known, there are literally millions of installed urinals throughout North America, none of which have a configuration as shown in either of Figures 1 or 2, or similar to them, because none of those installed urinals have a cleanout opening 34 or 56 which permits access to the outlet pipe 28 without removal of the urinal from the wall. As noted above, by precluding the necessity to de-mount the urinal from the wall, considerable savings in time are achieved, as well as considerably less risk of exposure to toxins and considerably less risk of spillage and generally unclean or unhygienic conditions occurring.
[0071 ] Therefore, another aspect of the present invention is to provide a method for retrofitting a urinal so as to permit access to the outlet pipe of the urinal and thereby so as to permit cleaning of the outlet pipe without de-mounting the urinal from the wall.
Accordingly, the method of retrofitting such a urinal provides for several steps which can be carried out in situ, at the place where the urinal is installed. The method comprises the following steps:
[0072] First, the opening is formed in the urinal structure in a position which is not more than 30° away from the horizontally disposed longitudinal axis 30 of the outlet pipe 28 provided for that urinal. The method and manner by which the opening is formed are beyond the scope of the present invention; however, it may be remarked that the opening may be created by a skilled artisan using a diamond core bit and an appropriate driver therefor.
[0073] Then, a removable plug - generally, a plug such as plug 32 shown in Figures 3a and 3b - is placed into the opening which has been formed, so as to make a water-tight and air-tight seal with that opening.
[0074] Obviously, the opening may be formed in the deflector 24 if the structure of the urinal accommodates such retrofit, or it may be formed in the front defining wall of the siphon passageway if the urinal is a siphon-type structure.
[0075] By providing the structure of a urinal, which may be by way or retrofit or original manufacture, applicants herein provide a method of cleaning the outlet pipe of the urinal while the urinal is mounted to a wall, and without the necessity to de-mount the urinal from the wall.
[0068] Otherwise, while the plug 32 or 58 might take the form of a tapered cork.
However, since the air-tightness of the plug can not be assured, especially in circumstances where there may be a build up of sewer gas in the down pipe 16 at a pressure which is higher than ambient pressure, care must be taken that the plug is air-tight as well as water-tight.
[0069] A typical plug structure is shown in Figures 3a and 3b, and is such as the plug 32 shown in Figure 1. Here, the plug is formed of a deformable rubber-like material, and is constructed with a centrally located mechanism (not shown) whereby when a handle 72 is activated, the length of the plug 32 shortens from an original or first length to a shorter or second installed length. At the same time, the diameter of the plug 32 increases in the manner shown in Figure 3b, and since the material of the plug 32 is deformable and may be to some extent compressible, an air-tight and water-tight fitment of the plug in its respective opening is assured upon actuation of the handle 72.
[0070] It follows from the above discussion that a urinal structure such as that which is shown at urinal 10 in Figure 1 or urinal 50 in Figure 2 may be provided to the market having a configuration similar to that which is illustrated. However, as is well known, there are literally millions of installed urinals throughout North America, none of which have a configuration as shown in either of Figures 1 or 2, or similar to them, because none of those installed urinals have a cleanout opening 34 or 56 which permits access to the outlet pipe 28 without removal of the urinal from the wall. As noted above, by precluding the necessity to de-mount the urinal from the wall, considerable savings in time are achieved, as well as considerably less risk of exposure to toxins and considerably less risk of spillage and generally unclean or unhygienic conditions occurring.
[0071 ] Therefore, another aspect of the present invention is to provide a method for retrofitting a urinal so as to permit access to the outlet pipe of the urinal and thereby so as to permit cleaning of the outlet pipe without de-mounting the urinal from the wall.
Accordingly, the method of retrofitting such a urinal provides for several steps which can be carried out in situ, at the place where the urinal is installed. The method comprises the following steps:
[0072] First, the opening is formed in the urinal structure in a position which is not more than 30° away from the horizontally disposed longitudinal axis 30 of the outlet pipe 28 provided for that urinal. The method and manner by which the opening is formed are beyond the scope of the present invention; however, it may be remarked that the opening may be created by a skilled artisan using a diamond core bit and an appropriate driver therefor.
[0073] Then, a removable plug - generally, a plug such as plug 32 shown in Figures 3a and 3b - is placed into the opening which has been formed, so as to make a water-tight and air-tight seal with that opening.
[0074] Obviously, the opening may be formed in the deflector 24 if the structure of the urinal accommodates such retrofit, or it may be formed in the front defining wall of the siphon passageway if the urinal is a siphon-type structure.
[0075] By providing the structure of a urinal, which may be by way or retrofit or original manufacture, applicants herein provide a method of cleaning the outlet pipe of the urinal while the urinal is mounted to a wall, and without the necessity to de-mount the urinal from the wall.
[0076] In keeping with the provisions of the present invention, the method of cleaning the outlet pipe comprises first the step of removing the removable plug 32 or 58 from its respective opening. Typically, as indicated in Figures 1 and 2, removal of the plug 32 or 58 will not result in the loss of water or spillage from the urinal, although there will be egress of sewer gas which may be present in the down pipe 16 at that time, because the trap structure of the urinal has been by-passed. That, however, may be accommodated, especially in installations where there are a significant number of urinals to be cleaned, by shutting off the riser or down pipe 16 at a convenient place, as is well known to plumbers.
[0077] In any event, once the removable plug 32 or 58 has been removed from its respective opening, a cleaning element is passed through that opening and into the outlet pipe 28 so as to clear away the debris and sediment shown generally by the residue 70 in the drawings, and which has been deposited in the outlet pipe 28. After the debris and sediment have been cleared away, the cleaning element is then removed away from the outlet pipe 28, and the removable plug 32 or 58 is replaced into its respective opening so as to once again form a water-tight and air-tight seal therewith. Those steps have been identified as steps (a) through (d) in the discussion above.
[0078] Typically, the cleaning element may comprise a high pressure hose or a scraper, or it might be an auger but not necessarily, due to the nature of the gel-like residue or debris 70. Of course, combinations of cleaning elements may be employed;
typically, the cleaning element is a high pressure hose having a relatively rigid nozzle at its outer end, which nozzle will function both as a scraper and an outlet nozzle for high pressure water emanating therefrom.
[0079] It will be seen that, particularly if high pressure water is used to clear away the residue 70, there will be a cleaning or flushing action as a consequence of the high pressure egress of water from its nozzle, there may be some splash back from the far side of the down pipe 16 where the outlet pipe 28 is connected to the down pipe 16, so as to clear away any debris or sediment that might have collected around the T-junction of the outlet pipe 28 with the down pipe 16.
[0080] It may also be appropriate, particularly when the urinal being cleaned has a structure such as that shown in Figure l, to intermittently activate the water valve 18 so as to cause a flushing action of the urinal and, at the same time, to cause a washing action of the cleaning element as it is in place in the outlet pipe 28.
Indeed, a temporary plug or stopper such as a rag wrapped around the cleaning element may also be put into place so as to permit the intermittent flushing of the urinal by activating the water valve 18, even in a siphon-type urinal structure such as that shown in Figure 2.
[0081] Turning now to Figure 4, an apparatus is shown for testing the air tightness of a water-tight and air-tight removable plug, such as plugs 32 or 58, when the plug is in its respective opening. For purposes of illustration, a plug 32 is shown; and in this case, the plug 32 is placed in opening 74 which is formed in a portion 80 of a urinal.
Obviously, the portion 80 could be a deflector 24 in a standard urinal or a front defining wall 54 of a siphon passageway.
[0082) In any event, the apparatus 90 of Figure 4 comprises a vacuum chamber element 92 and a vacuum creating means shown generally at 94. Specifically, the vacuum creating means 94 can be a vacuum pump, or more usually it embodies a configuration not unlike that which is shown schematically in Figure 4. That embodiment comprises a cylinder 96 having a piston 98 which is axially movable therein, as shown by arrow 97. Obviously, if the piston is moved axially to the right, as shown in Figure 4, a vacuum is drawn inside the vacuum chamber element 92, relative to the ambient, by withdrawing air through the opening 100 into chamber 102, whose volume will have increased by withdrawal of the piston 98 to the right. The presence of a vacuum within the vacuum chamber element 92 and in its communicating chamber 102, relative to the ambient, will be indicated on gauge 104.
[0083] The vacuum chamber element 92 seals to the portion 80 at skirt 106, and typically the material of the vacuum chamber element 92 is such that it is at least somewhat pliant or deformable. In any event, after the vacuum chamber element 92 has been put in place, and a vacuum is drawn as indicated by gauge 104, the apparatus 90 will remain in place for a period of time which may be five to fifteen minutes. If, during that period of time, the removable plug 32 or other plug has not become dislodged from its opening, then its air-tightness - and also its water-tightness - can be assured. A latch member 110 may be provided so as to hold the handle 112 in its extended position during a test procedure described above.
[0084] There has been described a urinal structure, having alternative embodiments depending on the nature of the urinal which is in place or which is being built, and wherein in any event the outlet pipe from the urinal may be cleaned without the necessity of de-mounting the urinal from the wall on which it is mounted.
Other embodiments and variations will become evident to those skilled in the art, and may be used in the design and manufacture of the apparatus of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the accompanying claims.
[0085] Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not to the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.
[0077] In any event, once the removable plug 32 or 58 has been removed from its respective opening, a cleaning element is passed through that opening and into the outlet pipe 28 so as to clear away the debris and sediment shown generally by the residue 70 in the drawings, and which has been deposited in the outlet pipe 28. After the debris and sediment have been cleared away, the cleaning element is then removed away from the outlet pipe 28, and the removable plug 32 or 58 is replaced into its respective opening so as to once again form a water-tight and air-tight seal therewith. Those steps have been identified as steps (a) through (d) in the discussion above.
[0078] Typically, the cleaning element may comprise a high pressure hose or a scraper, or it might be an auger but not necessarily, due to the nature of the gel-like residue or debris 70. Of course, combinations of cleaning elements may be employed;
typically, the cleaning element is a high pressure hose having a relatively rigid nozzle at its outer end, which nozzle will function both as a scraper and an outlet nozzle for high pressure water emanating therefrom.
[0079] It will be seen that, particularly if high pressure water is used to clear away the residue 70, there will be a cleaning or flushing action as a consequence of the high pressure egress of water from its nozzle, there may be some splash back from the far side of the down pipe 16 where the outlet pipe 28 is connected to the down pipe 16, so as to clear away any debris or sediment that might have collected around the T-junction of the outlet pipe 28 with the down pipe 16.
[0080] It may also be appropriate, particularly when the urinal being cleaned has a structure such as that shown in Figure l, to intermittently activate the water valve 18 so as to cause a flushing action of the urinal and, at the same time, to cause a washing action of the cleaning element as it is in place in the outlet pipe 28.
Indeed, a temporary plug or stopper such as a rag wrapped around the cleaning element may also be put into place so as to permit the intermittent flushing of the urinal by activating the water valve 18, even in a siphon-type urinal structure such as that shown in Figure 2.
[0081] Turning now to Figure 4, an apparatus is shown for testing the air tightness of a water-tight and air-tight removable plug, such as plugs 32 or 58, when the plug is in its respective opening. For purposes of illustration, a plug 32 is shown; and in this case, the plug 32 is placed in opening 74 which is formed in a portion 80 of a urinal.
Obviously, the portion 80 could be a deflector 24 in a standard urinal or a front defining wall 54 of a siphon passageway.
[0082) In any event, the apparatus 90 of Figure 4 comprises a vacuum chamber element 92 and a vacuum creating means shown generally at 94. Specifically, the vacuum creating means 94 can be a vacuum pump, or more usually it embodies a configuration not unlike that which is shown schematically in Figure 4. That embodiment comprises a cylinder 96 having a piston 98 which is axially movable therein, as shown by arrow 97. Obviously, if the piston is moved axially to the right, as shown in Figure 4, a vacuum is drawn inside the vacuum chamber element 92, relative to the ambient, by withdrawing air through the opening 100 into chamber 102, whose volume will have increased by withdrawal of the piston 98 to the right. The presence of a vacuum within the vacuum chamber element 92 and in its communicating chamber 102, relative to the ambient, will be indicated on gauge 104.
[0083] The vacuum chamber element 92 seals to the portion 80 at skirt 106, and typically the material of the vacuum chamber element 92 is such that it is at least somewhat pliant or deformable. In any event, after the vacuum chamber element 92 has been put in place, and a vacuum is drawn as indicated by gauge 104, the apparatus 90 will remain in place for a period of time which may be five to fifteen minutes. If, during that period of time, the removable plug 32 or other plug has not become dislodged from its opening, then its air-tightness - and also its water-tightness - can be assured. A latch member 110 may be provided so as to hold the handle 112 in its extended position during a test procedure described above.
[0084] There has been described a urinal structure, having alternative embodiments depending on the nature of the urinal which is in place or which is being built, and wherein in any event the outlet pipe from the urinal may be cleaned without the necessity of de-mounting the urinal from the wall on which it is mounted.
Other embodiments and variations will become evident to those skilled in the art, and may be used in the design and manufacture of the apparatus of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the accompanying claims.
[0085] Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not to the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.
Claims (19)
- WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
A urinal structure for mounting on a wall in which a water pipe and a vertically disposed down pipe are installed;
said urinal structure including:
a basin which is located near the bottom of the urinal, and a water valve located near the top of the structure and in fluid communication with said water pipe for flushing action control of said urinal;
a deflector extending forwardly and downwardly from a rear wall of said urinal above said basin; and an outlet pipe in fluid communication with said basin and connected to said down pipe, said outlet pipe being horizontally disposed, and having a horizontally disposed longitudinal axis;
wherein said outlet pipe is located in a position which is at least behind said deflector so as to be out of sight from the front of said urinal; and wherein said urinal further comprises a water-tight and air-tight removable plug placed in an opening formed in the urinal structure in a position which is not more than 30° away from said horizontally disposed longitudinal axis of said outlet pipe;
whereby access to said outlet pipe may be achieved through said opening. - 2. The urinal structure of claim 1, wherein said opening is located in said deflector.
- 3. The urinal structure of claim 1, further comprising an internally located siphon passageway in fluid communication and positioned between said basin and said outlet pipe, said siphon passageway including a front defining wall as an integral part of said urinal structure; and wherein said opening is located in said front defining wall of said siphon passageway.
- 4. The urinal structure of claim 1, wherein said opening is threaded, and said plug is threaded for fitment into said opening.
- 5. The urinal structure of claim 1, wherein said opening is circular, and said plug is longitudinally and laterally deformable such that when said plug is placed in said opening it has a diameter not greater than that of said opening and has a first length;
and when said plug is deformed longitudinally so as to have a length which is shorter than said first length, its diameter increases so as to impinge upon the interior wall defining said opening and so as to be sealed thereagainst in a water-tight and air-tight manner. - 6. A method of retrofitting a urinal for access to an outlet pipe thereof;
wherein said urinal is mounted on a wall in which a water pipe and a vertically disposed down pipe are installed;
wherein said urinal structure includes:
a basin which is located near the bottom of the urinal, and a water valve located near the top of the structure and in fluid communication with said water pipe for flushing action control of said urinal;
a deflector extending forwardly and downwardly from a rear wall of said urinal above said basin; and an outlet pipe in fluid communication with said basin and connected to said down pipe, said outlet pipe being horizontally disposed and having a horizontally disposed longitudinal axis;
wherein said outlet pipe is located in a position which is at least behind said deflector so as to be out of sight from the front of said urinal;
said method comprising the steps of:
(a) forming an opening in the urinal structure in a position which is not more than 30° away from said horizontally disposed longitudinal axis of said outlet pipe; and (b) placing a removable plug in said opening so as to form a water-tight and air-tight seal with said opening. - 7. The method of claim 6, wherein said opening is located in said deflector.
- 8. The method of claim 6, wherein said urinal further comprises an internally located siphon passageway in fluid communication and positioned between said basin and said outlet pipe, said siphon passageway including a front defining wall as an integral part of said urinal structure; and wherein said opening is located in said front defining wall of said siphon passageway.
- 9. A method of cleaning the outlet pipe of a urinal when said urinal is mounted to a wall in which a water pipe and a vertically disposed down pipe are installed;
wherein said urinal structure includes:
a basin which is located near the bottom of the urinal, and a water valve located near the top of the structure and in fluid communication with said water pipe for flushing action control of said urinal;
a deflector extending forwardly and downwardly from a rear wall of said urinal above said basin; and an outlet pipe in fluid communication with said basin and connected to said down pipe, said outlet pipe being horizontally disposed, and having a horizontally disposed longitudinal axis;
wherein said outlet pipe is located in a position which is at least behind said deflector so as to be out of sight from the front of said urinal; and wherein said urinal further comprises a water-tight and air-tight removable plug placed in an opening formed in the urinal structure in a position which is not more than 30° away from said horizontally disposed longitudinal axis of said outlet pipe;
said method comprising the steps of:
(a) removing said removable plug from said opening;
(b) passing a cleaning element through said opening and into said outlet pipe so as to clear away debris and sediment which are deposited in said outlet pipe;
(c) removing said cleaning element from said outlet pipe after said debris and sediment have been cleared away; and (d) replacing said removable plug in said opening so as to form a water-tight and air-tight seal therewith. - 10. The method of claim 9, wherein said cleaning element is chosen from the group consisting of augers, high pressure hoses, scrapers, and combinations thereof.
- 11. The method of claim 9, wherein said cleaning element is a high pressure hose, and said method further comprises the step of:
5. during step (b), intermittently activating said water valve so as to cause a flushing action of said urinal. - 12. The method of claim 9, wherein said opening is located in said deflector.
- 13. The method of claim 9, wherein said urinal further comprises an internally located siphon passageway in fluid communication and positioned between said basin and said outlet pipe, said siphon passageway including a front defining wall as an integral part of said urinal structure; and wherein said opening is located in said front defining wall of said siphon passageway.
- 14. An apparatus for use in association with a urinal as taught in claim 1, for testing the air-tightness of said water-tight and air-tight removable plug when said plug is in place in said opening;
said apparatus comprising:
a vacuum chamber element and a vacuum creating means for drawing a vacuum in said vacuum chamber;
wherein said vacuum chamber element is adapted for air-tight fitment to the structure of the urinal of claim 1 in the region thereof where said opening is formed and said removable plug is placed therein; and gauge means associated with said apparatus to determine when a vacuum bas been drawn in said vacuum chamber element;
whereby, when a vacuum is drawn in said vacuum chamber element, the air-tightness of said removable plug when it is in place in said opening may be determined. - 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said vacuum creating means is a vacuum pump.
- 16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said vacuum creating means comprises a cylinder having a piston axially moveable therein so as to draw a vacuum in said vacuum chamber element as said piston is moved in a direction away therefrom.
- 17. The urinal structure of claim 1, wherein an integral water trap is formed in said urinal structure.
- 18. The method of claim 6, wherein the urinal structure has a water trap formed integrally therewith.
- 19. The method of claim 9, wherein the urinal structure has a water trap formed integrally therewith.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2337185 CA2337185A1 (en) | 2000-09-29 | 2001-03-05 | Urinal structure with cleanout fitting |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US09/672,700 | 2000-09-29 | ||
| CA 2337185 CA2337185A1 (en) | 2000-09-29 | 2001-03-05 | Urinal structure with cleanout fitting |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2337185A1 true CA2337185A1 (en) | 2002-03-29 |
Family
ID=4168378
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2337185 Abandoned CA2337185A1 (en) | 2000-09-29 | 2001-03-05 | Urinal structure with cleanout fitting |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2337185A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2007090684A1 (en) * | 2006-02-10 | 2007-08-16 | Luca Maccagnan | Siphon system attainable directly during the forming of sanitary ware |
| CN110295659A (en) * | 2019-07-24 | 2019-10-01 | 潍坊科技学院 | A kind of water-saving male urinal |
-
2001
- 2001-03-05 CA CA 2337185 patent/CA2337185A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2007090684A1 (en) * | 2006-02-10 | 2007-08-16 | Luca Maccagnan | Siphon system attainable directly during the forming of sanitary ware |
| CN110295659A (en) * | 2019-07-24 | 2019-10-01 | 潍坊科技学院 | A kind of water-saving male urinal |
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