GB2408568A

GB2408568A - Toilet facility

Info

Publication number: GB2408568A
Application number: GB0424706A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Daniel Peter Waterhouse
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-11-27
Filing date: 2004-11-09
Publication date: 2005-06-01
Also published as: GB0424706D0

Abstract

A toilet facility is provided which includes a toilet bowl and at least one toilet seat, toilet lid and/or toilet cistern. Lighting means are provided at one or more locations on said toilet bowl, toilet seat, toilet lid and/or toilet cistern for illuminating a path of use for a user of the toilet facility.

Description

An Improved Toilet Facilitv l his invention relates to an improved toilet

facility.

(,onvcntonally, it is often the case that if a person wishes to maLc use of toilet facilities at night, they typically walk to the room in which the toilet facilities are located and switch the lights in the r:->m on, thereby allowing easy location of the toilet facilities. Allis also allows the person, particularly in the case of a male, to ensure that bodily fluids are aimed into the toilet bowl.

T-Towever, a problem with switching the lights:' n prior to using the toilet facilities is that if the user's eyes have become accustomed to the dark, for example following a period of sleep, the user's eyes have an increased sensitivity to light. This can result in discomfort for the user until their eyes have had sufficient time to adjust to the increase in light. In addition, such exposure to light may inhibit subsequent sleep for some time thereafter. As such, it is often the case that a user will not switch the mains light on when using toilet facilities, thereby resulting in bodily fluid, such as urine, being distributed externally of the toilet bowl.

It is thcrcforc an aim of the present invention to provide an improved toilet facility which overcomes the abovementioned problems.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a toilet facility, said toilet facility including a toilet bowl and at least one of a toilet seat, toilet lid and/or toilet cistern, and wherein lighting means are provided at one or more locations on said toilet bowl, toilet seat, toilet lid and/or toilet cis tern. l

The lighting means are provided to allow illumination of a path of use of a toilet bowl and/or one or more objects or areas surrounding the toilet bowl, thereby allowing the user to locate the toilet bowl and ensure that any bodily fluids, such as urine, are directed therein. 'line lighting means can also help the user to avoid collision with one or more objects in the locality of the toilet facility, such as a sink, bath and/or the like.

In a preferred embodiment the lighting means is in the form of at least cane light beam. Further preferably the light beam is in the form of an infra red (JR) beam.

An IR beam or laser beam can be fitted at a suitable location on the toilet facility to allow a user to see sufficiently well to allow them to' locate and accurately use the toilet facility. 'l'he advantage of using an IR laser over conventional lighting means is that the light emitted therefrom is not excessively bright, thereby reducing the likelihood of the user waking up too much on use of the toilet facilities.

In a further embodiment any or any combination of one or more logos, symbols, icons, characters and/or text can be provided in front of the light source or light beam or projected as part of said light source or light beam, thereby allowing a shadow to be cast onto or adjacent the toilet facility in the form of said logo, symbol, icon, character and/or text. For example, these can be in the form of prc-defined shaped attachments. 1'his increases the aesthetic appearance of the device to the user and allows retailers or hoteliers to advertise via the toilet facility light.

Alternatively a plurality of light beams can be provided which are arranged to form a pre-determined shape representing one or more logos, symbols, icons, characters and/or text. l

In one embodiment the lighting means are moved from an "off" condition to an "on" condition and/or vice versa following the detection of one or more pre-defined criteria in the locality of the toilet facility.

The pre-defined criteria can include any or any combination of detection of movement in the vicinity of the toilet facility, detection of sound in the vicinity of the toilet facility, detection of light and/or the like. For example, if detection means detects there is already a pre-determined level of light in the locality of the toilet facility, the light may be moved from an "on" condition to an "off" condition.

(conventional detection means in the form of one or more sensors can be provided to detect said pre-defined criteria.

In one embodiment, the lighting means can be moved between "on" and "off" conditions following movement of the toilet lid and/cr toilet seat. Thus, for example, if a user lifts the toilet seat, the lighting means can be moved to an "on" condition from an "off" condition, thereby illuminating the toilet bowl for subsequent urination.

Preferably the toilet lid and/or toilet seat are hingedly, slidably or pivotably connected to the toilet bowl and movement of the same with respect to the toilet bowl causes activation or deactivation of said lighting means. Thus, for example, if the toilet seat is lifted in an upwardly direction with respect to the toilet bow], the lighting means can be illuminated. If the toilet seat is lowered in a downwardly direction towards the toilet bowl, the lighting means can be switched off.

Alternatively, timing means can be associated with the lighting means such that once the lighting means are switched to an "on" cr>ndition, the lighting means are switched to an "off" condition after a pre-determined time interval.

In one embodiment the underside of the toilet seat and/or toilet lid includes spacing means to allow a pre-determined space to be prc>vided between the same and the pc>rtion of the toilet facility with which it contacts, thereby allowing location of lighting means therebetween.

I'rcferably the lighting means has a depth less than the depth of the space provided by the spacing means to avoid damage to a front surface of the lighting means caused by impact of the same with a surface of the toilet facility on movement thereof.

The lighting means can be located in a recess in any of the toilet cistern, toilet bowl, toilet lid and/or toilet seat. In this embodiment the outer surface c-' f the lighting means is preferably substantially flush with the outer surface in which it is recessed.

Alternatively, the lighting means can protrude from a surface of the toilet facility.

In whichever embodiment, the lighting means are typically positioned sc> that illumination provided therefrom is directed towards the toilet bowl and/or surrounding areas, thereby allowing a user to increase the accuracy with which they use the toilet facility.

In one embodiment, the direction of illumination of the lighting means can be adjusted as required by the user. For example, the bulb portion of the lighting means can be pivotally movable with respect tc> the toilet facility using adjustment means.

The lighting means can be powered by mains power supply, solar means and/or the like but is preferably powered by one or more batteries.

Preferably the lighting means is retained in position on the toilet facility by any or any combination of screws, clips, adhesive, friction fit, VliLCllO(), and/or the like. The lighting means can be detachably attached to the toilet facility and/or be fixedly secured thereto.

In one embodiment, the hinges or pivot connections connecting the toilet scat and/or toilet lid to the toilet bowl include or are c-'nucctcd to switch means. The switch means are typically moveable from an off position when the toilet seat and/or toilet lid are located in a substantially horizontal position with respect to the toilet bowl to an on position when the toilet seat and/or toilet lid are moved to a raised position with respect to the toilet bowl. With the switch in an can position, the lighting means are typically illuminated, with the switch in an off position, the lighting means are typically not illuminated.

Preferably the switch means is part of an electronic circuit, typically akin to that found in a refrigerator door, wherein movement of the toilet seat and/or toilet lid completes or breaks a circuit.

l'referably the light provided by the lighting means is of a substantially lower intensity than that provided by main lights which typically have a power rating of 40-lOOW, thereby preventing discomfort to the user's eyes and reducing the likelihood of the lighting preventing the user from further sleep

for example.

Preferably the lighting means includes any or any combination of LEDs, fluorescent lights, tungsten filament lights, halogen lights and/or the like.

The lighting means can be provided as part of a new toilet facility or retrofitted to an existing toilet facility.

In a further embodiment the switch means is an orientation sensor, allowing alteration of the state of illumination of the lighting means upon a change of position of the toilet seat and/or t-'ilct lid.

In an alternative embodimcut, the lighting means has means to convert mechanical or kinetic energy to electrical energy, such that when the toilet seat is raised, the associated mechanical or kinetic energy is converted into electrical energy to power the lighting means. This cmbodimcut has the advantage that a battery may not be rcquircd. It is also covisaged that a rechargeable battery can be used.

According to a second aspect of the present invcution there is provided a toilet facility, said toilet facility including a toilet bowl and at least one of a toilet seat, toilet lid and/or toilet cistern, lighting means provided at one or more locations on said toilet bowl, toilet scat, toilet lid and/or toilet cistern and wherein said lighting means is in the form of at least one infra- rcd light beam.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with refcrcncc to the accompanying figures wherein: I;igure I is a front view of a toilet including a lighting device set into the toilet scat, the toilet seat being in a substantially vertical position; and Figure 2 is a front view of the toilet in figure 1 with the toilet seat in the horizontal position.

llcfcrring to figure 1, there is illustrated a toilet including a toilet bowl 2, a toilet seat 4 in a substantially vertical position and hinges 6, 6' provided at the back of the toilet bowl 2 connecting the toilet seat 4 to the toilet bowl 2. The toilet may also include a toilet lid 16, shown in a substantially vertical position behind the toilet seat 4.

Supports 10, 10' 10", 10"' arc fitted to the underside surface 8 of the toilet scat 4 to provide a space between the toilet seat 4 and the toilet bowl 2 when the toilet seat 4 is lowered to the horizontal or closed position.

The underside surface of toilet seat 4 includes a recess 18 therein which is complementary in size to a lighting device 12.

the lighting device 12 is moved between on and off states by activation/deactivation respectively of a switch located with at least one of the hinges 6, 6'. The switch is electrically connected between the lighting device 12 and a power source (not shown) and is moved between said activated and deactivated states by movemcut of the toilet seat 4 between vertical and horizontal positions respectively. Thus, the switch activates the lighting device to cause illumination when the toilet scat 4 is in a substantially vertical position and deactivates the lighting device when the toilet scat 4 is in a substantially horizontal position.

[Dotted lines 14 indicate the direction of light provided by the illumination dcvicc, when activated, is in a downwardly direction towards the toilet bowl 2. This allows illumination of the toilet bowl to allow a user to orientate themselves in a required position to ensure bodily fluids, such as urine, enter the toilet bowl rather than the toilet seat or surrounding area.

Rcfcrring to figure 2, the toilet is illustrated with the toilet seat 4 and toilet lid 16 in a substantially horizontal or closed position, the toilet lid 16 extending substantially over an aperture provided in the toilet seat 4.

When the toilet seat 4 is in the horizontal position, the switch is in the off position and therefore the lighting device 12 is not active.

The lighting means is provided in a rectangular housing shaped to fit the recess 18 in the underside 8 of the toilet scat 4 but can be any required shape, colour or design suitable for the toilet facilities with which it is used. The housing is substantially transparent to allow emission of light but may be partially opaque or else partially covered so as to emit light in a particular direction or shape, such as in the form of lettering, which is projected onto the inside of the toilet bowl 2.

liurthermore the embodiment of figures 1 and 2 includes a recess 18 and thus represents a toilet seat 4, which has been adapted specifically for the purpose at hand. However the space provided between the underside 8 of the toilet scat 4 and the bowl 2 by supports 10, 10', 10" and 10"' is sufOcicnt to allow attachment of a lighting device 12 onto the underside of a convectional toilet seat such that the lighting device 12 protrudes part-way across the space betwocn the toilet scat 4 and the bowl 2. l bus a lighting device which is thinner in profile than the supports 10, 10', 10" and 10"' can be retrofitted to an existing conventional toilet seat without the need for the lighting device 12 to be load-bearing.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention also includes any further additional modifications made to the device which does not affect the overall function of the device, such as the provision of decoration, coverings to provide improved aesthetic appearance, different colours to the lights, and/or the like.

I flus it can be sent that the illumination device provides light to a user at a level that avoids discomfort and is of particular use to male users to help their aim when urinating.

Claims

Claims: 1. A toilet facility, said toilet facility including a toilet bowl

and at least one of a toilet seat, toilet lid and/or toilet cistern, wherein lighting means are provided at one or more locations on said toilet bowl, toilet seat, toilet lid and/or toilet cistern.
2. A toilet facility according to claim 1, wherein the lighting means emits light in the form of at least one infra red beam.
3. A toilet facility according to claim 1, wherein switching means arc provided for electrically connecting the lighting means to a power source in use.
4. A toilet facility according to claim 3, wherein the switching means arc movable between a first "on" condition, wherein the lighting means is activated, and a second "off" condition wherein the lighting means is deactivated, depending on one or more pre-defined criteria detected.
5. A toilet facility according to claim 4, wherein said one or more predefined criteria include any or any combination of detection of movement, detection of sound, detection of light, detection of a change in the orientation of a toilet seat and/or toilet lid and/cr timing of a predetermined time interval.
G. A toilet facility according to claim 4, wherein detection means arc provided to detect said one or more pre-dcfined criteria.
7. A toilet facility according to claim 5, wherein timing means arc provided to detect the passage of a pre-determined period of time.
8. A toilet facility according to claim 1 wherein any or any combination of one or more logos, symbols, icons, characters anti/or text can be provided in front of the lighting means of projected as part of said lighting means.
9. A toilet facility according to claim 1 wherein the lighting means includes a plurality of light beams which are arranged in such a manner so as to form any or any combination of one or more logos, symbols, icons, characters and/or text.
10. A toilet facility according to claim 1, wherein movement of the toilet litl and/or toilet seat with respect to the toilet bowl causes activation or deactivation of the lighting means.
11. toilet facility according to claim 4, wherein the switching means are positioned in the toilet facility such that movement of the toilet lid and/or toilet seat completes or breaks a circuit between the lighting means and the power source to allow activation and/or deactivation of said lighting means respectively.
12. toilet facility according to claim 1, wherein the lighting means is removably attached to any of the toilet bowl, the toilet seat, the toilet lid and/or the toilet cistern.
13. A toilet facility according to claim 1, wherein the lighting means is located in a recess in any of the toilet cistern, toilet seat, toilet lid and/or toilet bowl.
14. A toilet facility according to claim 13 wherein an upper surface of the lighting means is provided to be substantially flush with an outer surface of the toilet component defining the recess in which it is to be fixed in use.
15. :\ toilet facility according to claim 1, wherein spacing means arc provided between the toilet seat and/or the toilet lid and the toilet bowl so as to provide a pre-determincd space, said space being of greater height than the height of the lighting means extending into said space.
16. A toilet facility according to claim 1, characterised in that the direction of illumination of the lighting means is adjustable by way of adjustment means which can be operated by the user.
17. A toilet facility according to claim 1, wherein the lighting means is connected to conversion means for converting mechanical car kinetic energy associated with movement of the toilet scat and/or toilet lid into electrical energy for powering the lighting means.
18. 1\ toilet facility according to claim 17, wherein a rechargeable battery is provided for connection to the conversion means.
19. Iighting means for use with a toilet facility according to claim 1.