DE102007013406A1 - Toilet cover for converting seat toilet into urinal, has actuator moving lower and upper parts automatically away from each other starting from defined opening angle between upper and lower parts - Google Patents

Abstract

The cover has a folding urinal between an upper part (3) and a lower part (2), where the urinal comprises rods that are foldable together and a flexible surface element (7) e.g. wall. The surface elements form a funnel (13), and extends over a funnel opening (9) up to a funnel mouth (12) based on the lower and upper parts. An actuator (25) moves the lower and upper parts automatically away from each other starting from a defined opening angle between the upper and lower parts, and clamps a linkage and the flexible surface element.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The The present invention relates to a toilet lid with a top and a lower part, which are arranged pivotable relative to one another are and include a hinged urinal between them, a collapsible linkage and a trained as a wall comprises flexible surface element, which is a funnel forms, wherein the flexible surface element starting from the lower part and upper part as outer wall over a funnel opening to the funnel mouth as Funnel wall extends.

STATE OF THE ART

From the WO 2006 015 980 A1 , Which goes back to the same inventor, a seat toilet is already known, which can be converted by means of a corresponding toilet lid in a urinal. The in the WO 2006 015 980 A1 described device has very great advantages, since a common seat toilet can be used as variable as well as urinal, without major renovations are required. In addition, any conventional toilet can be retrofitted accordingly with a corresponding device.

by virtue of the great benefit of such a variable toilet the corresponding object should be further developed.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention, a corresponding Device, in particular a toilet lid for converting a seat toilet in a urinal, to further improve, in particular the simple Manufacturability as well as the comfort and ease of use stand in the foreground. In addition, the improved device also with regard to the use of water and dirt repellent be optimized for flexible elements.

TECHNICAL SOLUTION

These Task is solved by a toilet lid with the Features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are the subject the dependent claims.

A significant improvement of the invention Toilet lid over the prior art in that an actuator is provided which ensures that the two-part toilet lid on its upper part and lower part, between which the hinged urinal is arranged, opens automatically from a certain opening angle and below the defined opening angle independently closes. In addition, the actuator ensures that the linkage and the flexible surface element, which form the urinal in the form of a funnel, be stretched, so that in particular results in a smooth continuous surface, along which the flexible surface element is present. This This causes urine or water to enter the urinal arrive on the preferably water and dirt repellent surface essentially without residues. The actuator also ensures that an automatic retightening of the substance or flexible element takes place, if this with the Time gives way. The flexible surface element can hereby be formed in one piece or from several parts.

Of the Actuator can be designed so that it has a permanent Force provides, with which the corresponding state of lower part and upper part is guaranteed. So can the actuator in the opened state the unfolded lower part and bias the top so as to maintain the open position is, so a lower part and upper part holding apart force is present. In addition, the actuator can also be closed Secure state by constantly providing the force Upper part and lower part of the lid in the closed state forces.

One Actuator that has stored energy for a permanent exercise of power can be used, For example, a spring, in particular a gas or air spring, a coil spring or the like. Furthermore It is also possible, for example, the corresponding force by an electric motor with or without a gear available to deliver. In this case, in particular a self-locking gear Use, so that a shutdown of the electric motor in each of the final states, ie in the closed or in the open state Condition is possible.

Generally For example, the actuator may comprise a linearly expandable element which with one of its ends on the bottom and another end on the top is arranged pivotably, so that the pivoting of Upper part and lower part is guaranteed to each other. at Such a linkage can be provided in particular a dead center which represents the boundary that defines whether at one larger opening angle of the toilet lid opens automatically or falls below it of the opening angle closes automatically.

This can be realized by a knee joint, which in different Way can be executed.

in the In the simplest case, the knee joint can be realized by that either on the upper part or on the lower part one of the main surface is provided vertically projecting nozzle, at the end hinged the linear expandable element with one of its ends is, so this pivot point in the pivoting of upper part and lower part once over the connecting line between the Rotary axis of upper part and lower part on the one hand and other articulation point of the linear expanding element on the other hand and once below can be arranged. Depending on the position then the lid open or closed.

the Actuator may be associated with a damping element, which the movement through the actuator, d. H. the movement of at least one Part of the actuator, dampens. This can be especially true for the End region of the respective movements, ie the end region of the opening movement as well as the end region of the closing movement, advantageous be, as a sudden unfolding or snapping the Toilet lid avoided who can. A corresponding damping element For example, a cylinder filled with oil be in which a piston is moved.

The flexible surface element, which is both the outdoor area of the funnel between upper part and lower part in the clamped state covering as well as forming the funnel for the urinal has been preferred a water and / or dirt repellent surface that for example, according to the lotus flower effect acts.

Corresponding For example, the flexible surface element may be nano- and / or microstructured Have surface or such a surface coating include, so that the contact angle between water and surface ≥ 130 °, in particular ≥ 140 ° or preferably ≥ 150 °. Alternatively, the superhydrophobic property can be passed through a dynamic rolling angle of water on the surface element of less than or equal to 10 ° define and determine. The flexible Surface element can along the edge of the shell and / or be arranged of the lower part of the toilet lid. Hereby offers itself, the arrangement on the inside of a vertically from the Main surface of upper part and lower part protruding Steges, that is, in the direction of the opposite lower part or upper part has to arrange.

To According to a preferred embodiment, the arrangement can a clamping ring done, which is the flexible surface element pushes in a corresponding groove or which in a Lasche of the flexible surface element is added and held in position by the groove.

in the Area of the arrangement of the flexible surface element Upper part and / or lower part may be provided a seal, by vulcanization, a silicone coating or another rubber-like element or rubber element may be formed. The Seal can both the lid, so upper and / or lower part, as also be arranged on the flexible surface element.

By the toilet lid according to the invention with the Actuator will be an automatic chucking and holding reached in the open state. To be sure overall provide that a simple cleaning of the urinal or a largely residue-free Drainage of liquids in the urinal, is the inventive Device designed such that the flexible surface element, which provides the surface of the urinal, smooth and is continuously formed so that no wrinkles, cracks, other undercuts or dead zones are formed.

For this can the linkage, which is the flexible surface element be designed so that the for the Pivotability or folding required joints do not over the cross-section of the linkage rods or other linkage parts used protrude, but are formed in alignment with these. For example This can be achieved by using coil springs as joints used, the ends in sleeve-like, cylindrical tube-shaped Added areas of the linkage parts to be joined are. In addition, the joints can also through disc-shaped rings or cylindrical tube-like sleeves be formed on a cylindrical bearing body are rotatably mounted, the dimensions are chosen so that the correspondingly formed joint does not have the cross section the articulated linkage rods or other Rod parts protruding.

Next the appropriate training of the folding linkage of the urinal to form a smooth and continuous wall be provided in certain areas clamping elements to the flexible Smooth surface element smoothly. This can be, for example in the region of the funnel tail or a nachgestalteten tubular derivative of the case. here we can elastic rings on the outside of the funnel or a be provided tubular discharge, which is a clamping cause of the flexible surface element.

A corresponding elastic ring can also be used as a funnel end piece in a recess of the Lower parts may be provided as a removable connector.

Several elastic rings can, for example, in the field of tubular Derivative be connected to each other via a flexible strip, so that a skeletal structure similar to the spine forms.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Further Advantages, characteristics and features of the present invention in the following detailed description of embodiments clearly with reference to the attached drawings. The figures show here in a purely schematic way in

1 a perspective view of a toilet lid according to the invention;

2 a side view of a portion of a toilet lid according to the invention for illustrating a first opening mechanism;

3 a side view of a toilet lid according to the invention to illustrate a second opening mechanism;

4 a perspective view of a portion of the toilet lid 1 ;

5 in the diagrams a) and b) a detail view of a part of the toilet lid 1 ;

6 in the sub-pictures a) to c) the arrangement of a part of the toilet lid according to the invention from the 1 and 5 ;

7 Details of a part of the toilet lid 1 in a perspective view;

8th a detail of a part of the toilet lid 1 in a plan view;

9 a further detailed view of a part of the embodiment of 1 in a perspective view;

10 a further detail of a part of the toilet lid according to the invention 1 ; and in

11 a side view of a further detail of a part of the embodiment of the 1 in a side view.

The 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a toilet lid according to the invention 1 in an unfolded state, ie in a position for use as a urinal.

The toilet lid 1 includes a lower part 2 as well as a top 3 , which are hinged to each other via hinges, pivot pins or the like so pivotally that they are about the axis of rotation 4 can be pivoted to each other.

Below the lid 1 is a toilet seat 5 provided, whose opening 6 dashed lines is shown, there in the unfolded state of the toilet lid 1 the toilet seat opening 6 through the lower part 2 and one between the top 3 and lower part 2 tense fabric 7 is covered. The toilet seat can as a unit with the toilet lid 1 be connected and, for example, to the same hinges as the toilet lid 1 be arranged pivotably on a toilet bowl. Alternatively, the toilet seat can also be attached separately to the toilet bowl.

The fabric 7 extends from the edge 8th of the lower part 2 and the edge 10 of the top 3 via a funnel opening ring 11 into the funnel opening 9 into it, in the direction of a passage 12 in the lower part 2 a funnel 13 to form, which is shown by dashed lines. The fabric becomes tubular through the passage 12 passed and ends in the toilet bowl, on which the toilet lid 1 can be arranged.

Accordingly, when you open the toilet lid 1 , ie with a pivoting of upper part 2 and lower part 3 to each other, one between the top 2 and lower part 3 arranged hinged urinal be unfolded while in the closed state of the toilet lid, so if upper part 3 and lower part 2 are aligned parallel to each other, a toilet is closed according to a conventional toilet lid.

The top 3 and the lower part 2 can also be closed when sitting opposite the toilet seat 5 be pivoted so that the toilet lid the toilet seat opening 6 releases. In this condition, the toilet can be used as a normal sitting toilet, whereas with an unfolded urinal or toilet lid 1 the same toilet can be used in a simple manner as a urinal, with only the funnel opening 9 with the funnel adjacent to it open to pick up urine while the outer area is between the top 3 and lower part 2 completely through the fabric 7 is covered.

The hinged urinal includes a linkage consisting of a funnel opening ring 11 , the two hinged parts 14 and 15 having. The parts 14 and 15 are formed in the embodiment shown from halves of an ellipse ring, which over the joints 16 and 17 are mutually pivotable, so that the halves 14 and 15 can come to rest on each other.

The upper half 14 of the funnel opening ring 11 is with the joint 18 at the top 3 of the lid 1 hinged while the lower half 15 at the hinge points 21 and 22 with pivotally mounted handrails 20 and 19 connected is. While each one end of the handrails 19 . 20 at the joints 21 and 22 with the funnel opening ring 11 About a universal joint rotatable and articulated, that is connected biaxially pivotable, the other ends are on more joints 23 and 24 in the form of ball joints either on the top 3 or the lower part 2 in the area of the axis of rotation 4 hinged. Preferably, an articulation of the ball joints in the range of 3 to 4 cm from the axis of rotation takes place on the lower part. To push the ellipse ring up and out against the fabric tension is between the articulation points 21 and 22 a tensioning cable in the form of a steel cable arranged flush with the ellipse ring and articulated in the front third of the lower part (not shown). The tensioning cable ensures that the lower half of the ellipse ring around the bearings 21 and 22 is pivoted, leaving the ends at the joints 16 and 17 be swiveled upwards.

When folding the urinal, so the move to each other from top 3 and lower part 2 First, the funnel opening ring 11 along with the support rods 20 and 19 in the direction of the lower part 3 moves until the funnel opening ring 11 with its lower end on the top of the base 2 strikes so that the funnel opening ring 11 between shell 3 and lower part 2 is trapped. In another closing movement of the funnel opening ring kinks 11 at the joints 16 and 17 one, the upper half 14 and the lower half 15 along the top 3 or the lower part 2 create and fold on each other. At the same time the fabric folds 7 one, so with the toilet lid closed 1 with adjoining top 3 and lower part 2 the linkage with the fabric 7 between shell 3 and lower part 2 is included.

When opening the toilet lid 1 a reverse movement takes place.

Between the lower part 2 and the top 3 is an actuator 25 provided in the form of a gas or air cylinder, with its ends over the joints 26 and 27 rotatable on the lower part 2 and at the top 3 is arranged.

The gas cylinder 25 is anxious to move its piston, which is guided in a cylinder, due to the gas pressure, which is set in the cylinder, to the outside. By a clever linkage to lower part 2 and top 3 , which are described below on the basis of 2 and 3 will be described, the shell is 3 with the lid closed by the gas cylinder 25 on the lower part 2 held during an opening movement after exceeding a certain opening angle, the upper part 3 through the gas cylinder 25 automatically moved to the open position.

Accordingly, during a closing movement through the gas cylinder 25 causes when falling below a certain opening angle, the upper part 3 automatically on the lower part 2 is pulled.

in the opened state, the end position is a stop (not shown) defined or predetermined by the tensioned fabric.

Corresponding mechanisms are in the 2 and 3 shown.

These mechanisms can be generally referred to as a toggle joint, as in the 2 is shown. In the toggle joint of the 2 is the gas cylinder 25 about a joint 28 with a rotatably mounted rod 29 connected to the top 3 is arranged articulated.

Depending on whether the joint 28 on a connecting line between the swivel joint 27 and the swivel 26 is provided above or below, presses the gas cylinder 25 which tends to expand linearly, the top 3 either from the lower part 2 Move away or move this on the lower part 2 to. This is with the dashed representation of the top 3 and the different positions of the gas cylinder 25 and the pole 29 exemplified, wherein the joint 26 as a joint 26 ' or 26 '' and the gas cylinder 25 when 25 ' and 25 '' are designated. To the joint 28 to force in the appropriate position, an auxiliary mechanism may be provided which in 2 not shown.

A simple embodiment of such a knee joint is in 3 shown. There is no moveable bar here 29 provided, but a firm with the top 3 connected neck 30 , with the linkage 26 of the gas cylinder 25 in the closed state below the axis of rotation 4 between shell 3 and lower part 2 is, so the gas cylinder 25 by a biasing force the upper part 3 on the lower part 2 holds. Will the top 3 slightly raised, so the joint wanders 26 over the hinge of the axis of rotation 4 and there is a torque in the direction of an opening of the upper part 3 opposite the lower part 2 ,

As further in the perspective view of 1 can be seen, flows through the fabric 7 formed funnels 13 in the implementation 12 in the lower part 2 , From there, the substance forms 7 a tubular discharge 31 , which protrudes into the toilet bowl and there with a hook 32 on the edge 33 the toilet bowl can be hooked.

The tubular discharge 31 includes an elongated, flexible strip 34 , which at its end the hook 32 formed. Due to the flexible design of the strip 34 can the hook 32 to different shapes of the edge 33 the toilet bowl are adjusted.

The tubular discharge 31 also includes several elastic rings 35 The outside around the fabric 7 are arranged around the fabric 7 to keep in a tense state.

Through the actuator 25 , which in the embodiment of the 1 in the form of a gas cylinder 25 is present, a clamping force for opening and locking of the upper part 3 provided in the open state, which the substance 7 in the funnel shape and ensures that a smooth and continuously flat shape is ensured. In the same way, the elastic rings provide 35 for that matter 7 in the tubular discharge 31 also takes on a smooth and even shape to ensure that urine or water entering into the funnel 9 be filled with no residue on the water and dirt repellent surface of the fabric 7 , which replicates the lotus flower effect, expires.

The 5 shows in the diagrams a) and b) the formation of a Trichterendstücks in the implementation 12 of the lower part 2 , As in the 5a ) and 5b ) is in the lower part 2 in the implementation 12 a neck 36 formed, which is inserted either as a separate component in a corresponding bore or integral with the lower part 2 can be trained. The nozzle is either flush with the lower part 2 trained or can protrude over this. In the pipe socket 36 are detent openings 37 provided for receiving latching hooks 38 a flexible ring 39 are formed, which forms the funnel tail. Like the pictures b) and c) of the 6 show, the elastic ring 39 when inserted into the pipe socket 36 be compressed, wherein after the relaxation, the latching hook 38 into the detent openings 37 of the pipe socket 36 engage and thus the funnel tail 39 on the one hand safe, but on the other hand also solvable in the lower part 2 take up. The funnel tail 39 projects beyond the neck 36 or the lower part 2 to be easily grasped. This is a removable and removable fabric 7 possible, especially if the other attachment points of the substance 7 at the top 3 and lower part 2 are formed releasably.

The 7 shows a detail of the arrangement of the substance 7 in the lower part 2 , where the lower part 2 a circumferential, on the top 3 assigning edge web 40 in which a groove 41 is trained. In the groove 41 engages, corresponding to the shape of the toilet lid 1 or of the lower part 2 shaped, clamping ring 42 a, wherein on the clamping ring 42 either the substance 7 is attached, as for example in the 10 is shown, or wherein the clamping ring 42 the substance 7 only in the groove 41 clamps. The clamping ring can be held by locking means (not shown).

As the 7 Further shows is a coating 43 provided on the fabric, which has the water and dirt repellent properties according to the lotus flower effect, which in the area of the arrangement of the substance 7 on the lid base 2 directed to the outside, so that even this area is protected from contamination. Similar to the coating 43 can in a similar way a seal on the fabric 7 be provided, in the area of the lower and upper part.

Similar to the lower part, also on the upper part 3 the fabric 7 in the area of a corresponding circumferential web 44 in a groove provided there 45 by means of a clamping ring 42 pressed to be locked there. Again, the substance can only by the frictional force and pinching in the groove 45 being held. In addition, it is also possible to have the fabric around the clamping ring 42 flip over and sew to the opposite panel so that the tension ring 42 from the fabric 7 is taken and recorded in the manner of a tab.

The 11 shows the joint formation between the upper half 14 and the lower half 15 of the funnel opening ring 11 , The joint 16 is formed in the form of a helical spring, which with its ends in the sleeve openings of the cylinder tube-like ends of the upper and lower ring half 14 . 15 is plugged in. This results in a smooth and level, or aligned training of the joint 16 with the halves 14 . 15 of the funnel opening ring 11 so that the over the funnel opening ring 11 drawn fabric 7 continuous and smooth. It also provides the training of the joint 16 by a coil spring the advantage that the substance is not trapped in the joint, but rather forms a bending radius.

Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the accompanying embodiments, the skilled person selbstver It is understood that the present invention includes modifications and additions, in particular the way that individual features can be omitted or different combinations of individual features are present.

About that In addition, it is clear to those skilled in the art that the present Invention comprises any combination of individually presented features.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• - WO 2006015980 A1 [0002, 0002]

Claims (24)

Toilet lid with an upper part and a lower part, which are arranged pivotably relative to one another and enclose therebetween a hinged urinal, which has a collapsible linkage and a flexible surface element (FIG. 7 ) comprising a funnel ( 13 ), wherein the flexible surface element, starting from the lower part ( 2 ) and upper part ( 3 ) via a funnel opening ( 9 ) to the mouth of the funnel ( 12 ), characterized in that an actuator ( 25 ) is provided, which moves from a defined opening angle between the upper part and lower part of these two away from each other automatically and spans the linkage and the flexible surface element. Toilet lid according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuator ( 25 ) is designed so that the actuator below a defined opening angle of lower part and upper part of these two moves towards each other and closes the toilet lid. Toilet lid according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the actuator ( 25 ) Ensures the end positions of the upper part and lower part, in particular in the open state with auseinanderklapptem lower part and upper part provides a constant opening force, so that the open state is locked by a stop position. Toilet lid according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuator ( 25 ) comprises a spring, in particular a gas or air spring, a coil spring and / or an electric motor with or without transmission. Toilet lid according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuator ( 25 ) comprises a linearly expandable element which is pivotally mounted with its one end on the lower part and its other end on the upper part, wherein in particular the pivot point on the upper part when opening or closing a dead point on the line between a pivot point of the expandable element on the lower part and the Rotary axis between upper and lower part exceeds or falls below. Toilet lid according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuator ( 25 ) comprises a linearly expandable member and a knee joint, which are pivotally arranged between the upper part and lower part. Toilet lid according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuator ( 25 ) is associated with at least one damping element which dampens the movement through the actuator, in particular during the closing operation towards the end of movement. Toilet lid according to claim 7, characterized that the damping element is a piston and one with oil filled cylinder, in which the piston moves becomes. Toilet lid according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flexible surface element ( 7 ) has at least one surface which is designed such that it is water and / or dirt repellent. Toilet lid according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flexible surface element ( 7 ) a surface coating ( 43 ) or a surface formed in this way, which generates a contact angle θ between water and the surface through microstructures and / or nanostructures, where θ> = 130 °, in particular θ> = 140 °, preferably θ> = 150 °. Toilet lid according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flexible surface element ( 7 ) is arranged at the top of the lower part and / or on the underside of the upper part or these associated webs. Toilet lid according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flexible surface element held in the upper and / or lower part by a clamping ring in a groove is. Toilet lid according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that in the region of the arrangement of the flexible surface element ( 7 ) is provided on the upper and / or lower part, in particular in and / or adjacent to the groove, a sealing element, in particular a vulcanization, a silicone layer and / or a rubber-like element or a rubber element. Toilet lid according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flexible surface element ( 7 ) is stretched in the urinal state unfolded so that the flexible surface element runs along a smooth, continuous surface, which allows a water and / or dirt repellent behavior. Toilet lid according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flexible surface element ( 7 ) is a fabric, fabric, textile, foil or tarpaulin. Toilet lid according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the funnel opening ( 9 ) by a preferably ellip sen-shaped ring ( 11 ) which comprises at least two parts ( 14 . 15 ), which are pivotable relative to each other via joints. Toilet lid according to claim 16, characterized in that the joints ( 16 . 17 ) of the hopper opening ring springs, in particular coil springs are. Toilet lid according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that the funnel opening ring ( 11 ) at the top ( 3 ) and pivotally provided on at least one, preferably two pivotally arranged in the region of the axis of rotation between the upper and lower part of the upper or lower part holding rods. Toilet lid according to one of claims 16 to 18, characterized in that the funnel opening ring ( 11 ) in the region of the bearing surface of the flexible surface element smooth and flat, in particular without protruding parts in the region of the joints and linkages is executed. Toilet lid according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flexible surface element ( 7 ) has at the mouth of the funnel a Trichterendstück and / or a tubular discharge. Toilet lid according to claim 20, characterized in that the funnel tail ( 36 ) comprises an elastically clampable ring which is releasably clipped in a passage of the lower part. Toilet lid according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that the tubular discharge ( 31 ) several elastic rings ( 35 ) for clamping the flexible surface element, in particular along an elongate mounting element ( 34 ) are arranged at regular intervals. Toilet lid according to one of the claims 21 or 22, characterized in that the elastic rings of the Funnel tail and / or the tubular Derive the flexible surface element on its inside cylindrical surface have. Toilet lid according to claim 22, characterized that the tubular discharge a fastener for attachment to a toilet bowl, in particular a flexible hook, preferably on the elongate mounting member is arranged.