GB2387608A

GB2387608A - Dual urinal and toilet system

Info

Publication number: GB2387608A
Application number: GB0208924A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Byron Jerome Johnstone Rahming
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-04-19
Filing date: 2002-04-19
Publication date: 2003-10-22
Also published as: GB0208924D0

Abstract

A dual urinal and toilet system comprising a standard toilet pan 1 and cistern 2 connected to a wall mounted urinal 3 where the cistern 2 provides water to flush both the pan 1 and the urinal 3. Preferably the cistern 2 has an electrical centrifugal pump (5, Fig 4) that dispenses water through pipe 4 upon the operation of a control switch 10. The outlet pipe 11 of the urinal 3 may have a U bend 13 to prevent unpleasant odours and be connected to the outlet pipe to the sewer behind the toilet's water trap (12, Fig 2). A switch (14, Fig 2) may be mounted at water level which when triggered by the displacement of water, signals a solenoid or motor (15, Fig 4) inside the cistern 2 to automatically flush after a pre-set time delay.

Description

Dual Receptacle Toilet System. 2387608 This invention relates to a coupled

toilet pan and urinal sharing a cistern.

Both toilets and urinals are commonly found installed together in many commercial, industrial and residential locations. The norm is for each unit to be plumbed in separately, each with it's own means of flushing and own means of draining waste to the sewer. This type of installation frequently requires complex plumbing and can tale up more space than is desirable or may be available. Furthermore, the flushing of the urinal is frequently actuated by a timer set to release a flow of water at regular pre-set intervals, irrespective of the extent to which the urinal has been used, if at all. This method can consume large amounts of water, much of which may be unnecessary.

The submitted invention features a standard toilet, both pan and cistern, and a standard wall mountable urinal. The urinal may be fabricated from porcelain/ceramic, stainless steel or thermoplastic material, dependent on the requirements of the particular location. The urinal is to be mounted adjacent to or in reasonably close proximity to the toilet. The urinal is coupled to the toilet by two pipes. The first runs from the toilet cistern to the urinal and carries water with which it is flushed. An electrically powered waterproof centrifugal pump located inside the cistern dispenses water from the cistern through the pipe upon the operation of a push-to-make momentary action control switch This switch may be a button affixed to the wall next to the urinal, on the lid of the cistern or a suitable casing secured over the cistern to conceal the pipes. Alternatively, it may take the form of a foot operated pedal fixed to the floor.

Upon the button being pressed, water is pumped through the pipe to the urinal, so Bushing the unit until the button is released. The water level in the cistern having dropped, the ballcock drops also which opens the valve connected to the mains water supply and so replenishes the cistern.

The second pipe carries away urine and waste water from flushing. This pipe runs from the bottom of the retinal to the base of the toilet where it is connected to the outlet pipe to the sewer behind the toilet's water trap. A U-bend or gravity trap located directly under the urinal serves both to catch any foreign objects or solid matter inadvertently dropped into the urinal and, by nature of it retaining water, prevents unpleasant odours from the sewer travelling back up the pipe.

Both pipes may be fabricated from copper or suitable plastic material, such as rigid polyvinyl chloride. It should be emphasised the bore of the drainpipe should be significantly greater than that of the pipe from the cistern. This is to ensure a greater volume of water can be carried away than is dispensed in a flushing operation and so eliminate any risk of the urinal overflowing when flushed. It is envisaged that the pipes would be of 1 5mm and 40nun diameter respectively.

In addition a switch may be mounted inside the toilet bowl, at the water level. Upon the deposition of any solid objects, e.g. faecal matter, into the bowl, this switch would detect the ensuing upwards displacement of the water level. This would then activate a device within the cistern such as a watertight solenoid or low voltage motor which would be set to flush the toilet automatically. The flushing would be delayed for a few minutes from receiving the signal from the switch so as to allow the person using the toilet to finish and leave unhindered. This feature may be more easily applied to cisterns which operate on the drop flush principle than those that utilise a siphon flush.

A specimen installation of the system will be described with references made to the following drawings in which: Figure 1 portrays a complete installation with all components visible to the user shown.

Figure 2 shows a rear view ofthe toilet pan and highlights where the drainpipe from the urinal joins the toilet's outlet.

Figure 3 is a cross section of the front elevation of the cistern showing the location of all significant components.

Figure 4 is a cross section ofthe top elevation ofthe cistern showing the location of all significant components.

Figure 5 shows the location ofthe water displacement switch which actuates the automatic flushing facility of the main toilet.

With reference to Figure 1, a standard toilet, both pan, 1, and cistern, 2, and a standard wall mountable urinal, 3, are installed a reasonable distance apart. The urinal is coupled to the toilet by two pipes. The first is of lSmm diameter and runs from the toilet cistern to the urinal to carry water with which it is flushed, 4. This pipe enters the side of the cistern above the water level and is connected to an electrically powered waterproof centrifugal pump as shown as 5, Figures 3 &: 4. This pump is suspended or secured in the cistern in any convenient vacant space, e.g. between the ball cock, 6 and siphon, 7.

Power is supplied to the pump via a cable, Figure 1, 8, which passes through the side of the cistern above the water level. The cable entry point is sealed by a watertight rubber grommet, Figure 3, 9. The other end ofthe cable connects to a push-to-make momentary action control button, Figure 1, 10, affixed to the wall which in turn is connected to the mains electricity supply. Upon the button being pressed, water is pumped through the pipe until the button is released, having the effect of flushing the urinal after use. The intervening length of cable between button and pump is secured inside a protective casing screwed to the wall to both conceal and protect it, whilst still allowing access for maintenance.

- The second pipe, Figure 1, 11, is of 40mm diameter and carries away urine and waste water from flushing. This pipe runs from the bottom of the urinal to the base of the toilet where it is connected to the outlet pipe to the sewer behind the toilet's water trap illustrated in Figure 2, 12. A U-bend or gravity trap located directly under the urinal serves both to catch any foreign objects or solid matter inadvertently dropped into the urinal and, by nature of it retaining water, prevents unpleasant odours from the sewer travelling back up the pipe.

See Figure 1, 13.

A switch, Figure 5,14 is mounted at the water level in the toilet pan, Figure 5, 16 and connects to a watertight solenoid or electric motor, located within the cistern Figure 4, 15.

When activated this automatically triggers the toilet to flush after a pre-set time delay.

Claims

Claims.

1. A coupled urinal and toilet comprising a standard toilet pan and cistern connected to a wall mounted urinal in close proximity to the toilet, wherein the cistern of the toilet provides water to flush both units.

2. A coupled urinal and toilet pan as claimed in Claim 1 wherein an electrically powered pump within the toilet's cistern serves to provide water with which to flush the urinal.

3. A coupled urinal and toilet pan as claimed in Claim 1 and Claim 2 wherein the outlet drain from the urinal connects with that of the toilet pan, negating the need for a separate connection to the sewer pipe.

4. A wall mounted urinal retrofitted to a toilet already in situ, and connected in the manner as outlined in Claim 1 and Claim 3 so that the cistern and connection to the sewer are shared be, both units.