GB1562561A - Sanitary unit for use in confined spaces - Google Patents

Description

(54) A SANITARY UNIT FOR USE IN CONFINED SPACES (71) I STEFANO RIVETTI, a Citizen of Italy, of No. 31, Via Bertoloni, Rome, Italy do hereby declare the invention for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me and the method by which it is to be performed to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The present invention relates to a sanitary unit which can be installed for use in confined spaces such as a small room.

According to the invention, there is provided a sanitary unit for use in confined spaces including a hollow support incorporating a siphon discharge outlet and having an upper surface with a central aperture in communication with the siphon discharge outlet, a seat cover disposed over the upper surface of the support and having a central aperture of said upper surface; a water closet bowl and a bidet bowl arranged side by side and integrally connected, said water closet and bidet bowls being supported on said upper surface of the support so as to slide therealong in a linear direction below said seat cover and relative thereto to position selectively said water closet bowl or said bidet bowl below said central aperture in the seat cover; control means operable to slide said water closet and bidet bowls along said support upper surface as aforesaid; a water cistern; first pipe means for connecting said water cistern to a part of the interior of said support which is immediately below said central aperture in said support upper surface; a plurality of water outlet holes located in the seat cover around the periphery of the central aperture therein; second pipe means for connecting said water cistern to said plurality of water outlet holes; third pipe means for connecting a source of heated water outlet holes when the bidet bowl is located below the central aperture in the seat cover; fourth pipe means for connecting a source of heated air to a slot provided in said bidet bowl; and a tiltable wash basin supported above said water cistern.

This invention will now be described with reference to the attached drawings which shows, by way of example, an embodiment of the invention, and of which: Figure 1 shows a longitudinal section of a sanitary unit according to one embodiment of the invention, incorporating a water closet bowl and bidet; Figure 2 is a sectional view taken along the line II-II of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a top plan view of the unit of Figure 1, with the WC bowl in its central position; Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3, with the seat cover removed; Figures 5 and 6 show two perspective views of a tiltable washing basin incorporated in the sanitary unit; Figure 7shows the unit partially sectioned according to a vertical plane; Figure 8 is a sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in Figure 9; Figure 9 is a sectional view similar to Figure 7 with the washing basin in its tilted position;; Figure 10 is a sectional view taken along line X-X in Figure 7; Figure 11 is a top plan view showing an arrangement for power-driven movement of the WC and bidet bowls, and the discharge of the waste water of the WC bowl; Figure 12 shows the arrangement of Figure 11 in sectional view taken along a vertical plane; Figure 13 shows the general diagram of the sanitary unit with the various fittings and the electric and hydraulic connections; and Figures 14, 15 and 16 show a variant of the WC/bidet bowl arrangement.

With reference to Figures 1 and 2, a hollow support or pedestal 1 incorporates a conventional U-trap or water siphon 1 which leads to a waste conduit 3. Above the support 1 are two integral planar shelves 4 which slidably support two bowls 5, 6 disposed side by side on shelves 4. The bowls 5, 6 are slidable along shelves 4 by means of a control lever 7.

The bowl 5 is provided with a central aperture 8 and serves the function of a WC bowl whilst the bowl 6 serves the function of a bidet. The arrangement (see also Figures 3 and 4) is covered by a seat-cover 9 which has a central aperture and through which extend the supply and discharge pipes of the WC and the bidet in bores 11. The seat cover rests on a front apron 10. The cover 9 is provided with a linear guide slot 12 for the control lever 7.

If the WC bowl is to be used, the bowl 5 is placed in its central position, under the aperture in the seat cover; as shown in Figures 3 and 4, whereas if the bidet is to be used, the lever 7 is operated to move the bowl 6 to the central position to replace the bowl 5 in order to serve the bidet function, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The size of the central aperture in the seat cover is sufficient for use of both the WC and bidet. The warm or cold water for the bidet 6 is delivered through a set of holes or outlets 13 disposed around the periphery of the central aperture in the seat cover 9, the holes 13 being connected to a pipe 14 provided with a tap or valve 15. In the bidet bowl 6 is provided a slot 16 is in communication, via a flexible pipe 17, with a heating element 18 which is under the control of a control member 19 for delivering a warm air jet for drying.

A water discharge box or cistern 20 is provided with a push button or lever control 21 so as to be able, when the bowl 5 is located under the aperture in the seat cover for use of the WC, to send a water jet through a pipe 22 and into the discharge siphon 2, and simultaneously, to supply a certain amount of water through a branched pipe 23 which is also connected to the outlets 13 surrounding the aperture in the seat cover 9, so that the bowl 5 can be flushed with cold water. At both sides of the seat cover 9 two recesses 24 and 25 are provided for accommodating toilet paper and/or soap.

At the side of the water discharge box is provided a recess 26 in which a urinal 27 is located. The entire floor (Figures 1 and 7) is covered by a grid 28 under which inclined surfaces 29 are provided for conveying waste water from a shower through a pipe 30 to the discharge conduit 3. The height h1 of the grid 28 with respect to the floor (Figure 1) is such as to provide a conventional height h2 of about 40 cms of the seat cover 9 above the grid 28.

A wash basin 31 (Figures 5, 6and 7) can be tilted about lateral pivots 32 and is located above the previously described unit comprising the bowls 5, 6, the support 1 and the water discharge box 20. In its operating position, the front edge of the wash basin 31 rests on lateral abutments 33 shown in figure 7, whilst when it is in its rest position (Figures 8 and 9) the wash basin is located under a shelf 34, aligned with the water discharge box 20 as best seen in Figure 9. The wash basin 31 is provided with a delivery spout 35 suitable to deliver warm or cold water under the control of a tap 36 connected through a flexible pipe 37 to a thermostat device 42.

A second flexible pipe 38 serves the function of discharge, and incorporates a valve controlled by member 39 and an overflow duct 40. On one edge of the wash basin there is a soap stand 41 with a rack in order to prevent the soap from escaping when the wash basin is tilted.

Above the wash basin (Figures 7, 8, 9) a mirror 43 is provided surrounded by shelves 44. On the ceiling 45 near the mirror is provided a recess 46 for accommodating lamps 47.

From the ceiling 45 hang two elastic pipes 48 and 49, respectively terminating in a shower delivery 50 and a warm air drier 51.

When the shower is operating, a door 52 hinged at 53 and provided with a towel rack 54 is located under the washing basin as shown in figure 6, in order to protect the towels. A stool 55 with a horse shoe seat, with or without a back is provided on the grid 28 for use with the shower.

As shown in Figure 10, for installing the whole sanitary unit according to this embodiment of the invention, a space having an area in plan of about 70 x 180 cms is sufficient. The last cited dimension can be further reduced, but it should normally be sufficient for a user of the shower to be seated on a stool, serving also the function of a toilet stool.

Figures 11 and 12 show a power control for the displacement of the bowls 5 and 6.

The power control comprises a motor 56 driving a threaded shaft 57 mounted on supports 58 and associated with a sleeve 59 which is rigid with the integrally connected bowls 5, 6. The rotational movement of the shaft 57 is transformed into reciprocatory movement of the two basins which can be selectively locked in position below the central aperture of the seat cover by means of a pair of limit switches (not shown). During this movement the power control means is also arranged to operate the discharge valve of the WC.

Figure 13 shows the general diagram of the whole sanitary unit according to this embodiment, including the shower and urinal. The sanitary unit has a water supply main 60 from which a single branch 61 is sufficient in order to supply the various components. The branch 61 is connected to the thermostat 42 which supplies the wash basin 31, the outlets 13 in the seat cover during use of the bidet and the shower 50, and also to the water discharge box or cistern which supplies the WC waste pipe 22 and the outlets 13 in the seat cover during use of the WC. The shower 50 may be provided with a rechargeable supply 62 of liquid soap.

The terminal part of the branch 61 leads to a valve 63 located in the recess 26 for the urinal 27. When the latter will be removed from its recess, the valve 63 opens, water flows through valve 63, into flexible pipe 64 and reaches the inside of the urinal 27, thereby flushing the urinal. A second flexible waste pipe 65 associated with the pipe 64, conveys the flushing water and the urine to a trap or discharge box 66 mounted in the floor. The discharge pipe 38 from the washing basin is also connected to the box 66. A pulley 67 provided with a counter-weight 68 serves to recover the double flexible duct 64-65 when the urinal 27 is returned to the recess 26 after use. Of course as soon as the urinal is returned, the valve 63 closes to interrupt the water flow into the pipe 64.

Figures 14, 15 and 16 show a variant of the double basin arrangement as described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. In this case, the shape of the support 1 is such as to disperse with the front apron 10 of figure 1 and the internal recess of the U-trap or water siphon 2 has far greater size.

WHAT I CLAIM IS: 1. A sanitary unit for use in confined spaces including a hollow support incorporating a siphon discharge outlet and having an upper surface with a central aperture in communication with the siphon discharge outlet; a seat cover disposed over the upper surface of the support and having a central aperture in registration with the central aperture of said upper surface; a water closet bowl and a bidet bowl arranged side by side and integrally connected, said water closet and bidet bowls being supported on said upper surface of the support so as to slide therealong in a linear direction below said seat cover and relative thereto to position selectively said water closet bowl or said bidet bowl below said central aperture in the seat cover; control means operable to slide said water closet and bidet bowls along said support upper surface as aforesaid; a water cistern;; first pipe means for connecting said water cistern to a part of the interior of said support which is immediately below said central aperture in said support upper surface; a plurality of water outlet holes located in the seat cover around the periphery of the central aperture therein; second pipe means for connecting said water cistern to said plurality of water outlet holes; third pipe means for connecting a source of heated water to said plurality of water outlet holes when the bidet bowl is located below the central aperture in the seat cover; fourth pipe means for connecting a source of heated air to a slot provided in said bidet bowl; and a tiltable wash basin support above said water cistern.

2. A sanitary unit as claimed in claim 1, in which said control means comprises a manually operable lever connected to said integrally connected water closet and bidet bowls and displaceable along a linear slot provided in said seat cover.

3. A sanitary unit as claimed in claim 1, in which said control means comprises an electric motor operatively connected to rotate a shaft, the shaft being threadably engaged with a sleeve fixed to the integrally connected water closet and bidet bowls so that rotation of the shaft produces corresponding linear movement of said sleeve and hence linear movement of said bowls along said support upper surface as aforesaid.

4. A sanitary unit as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, including a shower, and means for connecting said shower to said source of heated water.

5. A sanitary unit as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, including a movable urinal normally located within a recess provided on the side of said water cistern, and means, operable upon removal of said urinal from said recess for use, for supplying water from said water cistern to said urinal to flush the urinal.

6. A sanitary unit for use in confined spaces substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (6)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. discharge box or cistern which supplies the WC waste pipe 22 and the outlets 13 in the seat cover during use of the WC. The shower 50 may be provided with a rechargeable supply 62 of liquid soap. The terminal part of the branch 61 leads to a valve 63 located in the recess 26 for the urinal 27. When the latter will be removed from its recess, the valve 63 opens, water flows through valve 63, into flexible pipe 64 and reaches the inside of the urinal 27, thereby flushing the urinal. A second flexible waste pipe 65 associated with the pipe 64, conveys the flushing water and the urine to a trap or discharge box 66 mounted in the floor. The discharge pipe 38 from the washing basin is also connected to the box 66. A pulley 67 provided with a counter-weight 68 serves to recover the double flexible duct 64-65 when the urinal 27 is returned to the recess 26 after use. Of course as soon as the urinal is returned, the valve 63 closes to interrupt the water flow into the pipe 64. Figures 14, 15 and 16 show a variant of the double basin arrangement as described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. In this case, the shape of the support 1 is such as to disperse with the front apron 10 of figure 1 and the internal recess of the U-trap or water siphon 2 has far greater size. WHAT I CLAIM IS:

1. A sanitary unit for use in confined spaces including a hollow support incorporating a siphon discharge outlet and having an upper surface with a central aperture in communication with the siphon discharge outlet; a seat cover disposed over the upper surface of the support and having a central aperture in registration with the central aperture of said upper surface; a water closet bowl and a bidet bowl arranged side by side and integrally connected, said water closet and bidet bowls being supported on said upper surface of the support so as to slide therealong in a linear direction below said seat cover and relative thereto to position selectively said water closet bowl or said bidet bowl below said central aperture in the seat cover; control means operable to slide said water closet and bidet bowls along said support upper surface as aforesaid; a water cistern;; first pipe means for connecting said water cistern to a part of the interior of said support which is immediately below said central aperture in said support upper surface; a plurality of water outlet holes located in the seat cover around the periphery of the central aperture therein; second pipe means for connecting said water cistern to said plurality of water outlet holes; third pipe means for connecting a source of heated water to said plurality of water outlet holes when the bidet bowl is located below the central aperture in the seat cover; fourth pipe means for connecting a source of heated air to a slot provided in said bidet bowl; and a tiltable wash basin support above said water cistern.

2. A sanitary unit as claimed in claim 1, in which said control means comprises a manually operable lever connected to said integrally connected water closet and bidet bowls and displaceable along a linear slot provided in said seat cover.

3. A sanitary unit as claimed in claim 1, in which said control means comprises an electric motor operatively connected to rotate a shaft, the shaft being threadably engaged with a sleeve fixed to the integrally connected water closet and bidet bowls so that rotation of the shaft produces corresponding linear movement of said sleeve and hence linear movement of said bowls along said support upper surface as aforesaid.

4. A sanitary unit as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, including a shower, and means for connecting said shower to said source of heated water.

5. A sanitary unit as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, including a movable urinal normally located within a recess provided on the side of said water cistern, and means, operable upon removal of said urinal from said recess for use, for supplying water from said water cistern to said urinal to flush the urinal.

6. A sanitary unit for use in confined spaces substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.