GB2475913A

GB2475913A - Toilet bowl with an upwardly extended rear urinal portion and seat

Info

Publication number: GB2475913A
Application number: GB0921352A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Dennis Taylor
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-12-05
Filing date: 2009-12-05
Publication date: 2011-06-08
Also published as: GB0921352D0

Abstract

A flush toilet bowl 10 for use with a cistern 12 comprises an elongate bowl portion 16 and an extended rear portion 18 wherein the extended rear portion extends upwardly from the bowl portion to provide a urinal portion. Internal conduits (62 figure 8), (66 figure 10) may be provided through which flush water flows to the interior of the bowl and the urinal portion. A dual flush cistern (70 figure 12) may deliver water to one or either of the urinal part or the toilet bowl. A later embodiment relates to a pivotally mounted seat 20 for the toilet bowl, wherein the seat is pivotally attached to opposite sides 26 and 28 of the toilet bowl.

Description

COMBINATION FLUSH TOILET BOWL AND URINAL WITH IMPROVED SEAT

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to a combination flush toilet bowl and urinal in particular a conventional toilet bowl with functional urinal with adapted seat and lid arrangement.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Conventional toilet bowls have to fulfil the dual function of waste disposal and urinal, In many retail establishments and other public places such a small cafes & restaurants, aeroplanes, trains and coaches as well as caravans and domestic toilets, disabled toilets the same bowl is used by men, women and children. When used by males for urination a normal toilet bowl is subject to fouling of the base of the toilet as well as at the back of the toilet rim.

In addition to loss of hygiene repeated fouling corrodes the toilet seat's connections to the toilet bowl and leads to movement in the toilet seat.

Replacement is not only difficult for the non professional but also quite expensive if required on a regular basis. It is also quite difficult to thoroughly clean around the toilet seat fittings leading to a build up of residue, rsut and bacteria.

The problem is further exacerbated as the average male height increases.

The conventional height of a toilet, partly set to aid defecation, makes it difficult for males to position themselves close enough to the toilet bowl to prevent fouling of the floor and yet assume the correct distance from the toilet bowl to enable the natural flow of urine to enter the toilet bowl.

This problem is further exacerbated by tiredness, alcohol consumption or the youth of the user which will make it more difficult for the user to assess the correct distance and accuracy of aim at the toilet bowl. As can be seen this is a particular problem in clubs, public houses and restaurants A number of solutions have been proposed in the past.

EP 1425479B Picchi discloses a merging of a conventional horizontal toilet bowl with the upper half of a vertical urinal stall, incorporating specific means to flush both parts. It also shows a specific seat arrangement which deploys a back/cover for the urinal part when the seat is in use. An obvious disadvantage of such an arrangement is the inability to use the combination bowl with a conventional cistern and thus conversion would be expensive.

US 2294349.MULLER describes an attachment for use on existing toilet bowls having an elongate bowl for use by male children to use when seated. the main disadvantage of this is the need to remove the attachment when conventional or female use of the toilet is required. Also this is unlikely to be of practical use when used standing up by an adult male.

Us 2719305 LA HUE is again for children, in this case a free standing commode useable in a standing position and has a bowl with a vertical urinal part at the rear. Whilst it has certain universality it is not suitable for adults and cannot replace a conventional system.

Many other systems have been proposed where a separate urinal section is provided alongside or adjacent the toilet bowl but most require a new cistern/flush mechanism and some even incorporate the urinal on the cistern.

None of these is suitable for a simple replacement of the toilet bowl and most need considerable more space than is usually available for such facilities.

Conventional toilets even with the most diligent of male user still need cleaning especially around and under the seat fittings and the established designs make it a particularly difficult exercise, particularly to dry the area afterwards tor educe corrosion of the metal components.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a toilet bowl adapted for unisex use to overcome the disadvantages of the conventional bowl. It is another object of the present invention to provide a seat fitting which facilitates more thorough cleaning of the toilet.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention a flush toilet bowl for use with a cistern comprises an elongate bowl portion and an extended rear portion wherein the extended rear portion extends upwardly from the bowl portion to provide a urinal portion.

The height and depth of the urinal portion may be varied to accommodate the space available and the position of the cistern. It is the intention of the inventor for the invention to be used under most if not all conventional space restrictions of domestic toilets.

The flush toilet bowl may be used with a conventional cistern and is provided with suitable internal conduits through which flush water flows to flush the interior of the bowl and the urinal portion.

A single conduit may be used with part of the water flow being deflected to flush the urinal part or a dual conduit may be used with a second conduit adapted to carry water for the urinal part.

Whilst it is intended for the flush toilet bowl of the present invention to be used with any conventional cistern a cistern may be provided which has a dual flush system to deliver water to one or either of the urinal part and the toilet bowl.

According to a second aspect of the present invention of independent significance a seat for a toilet bowl comprises a ring shaped seat adapted to be pivotally moved from a deployed position to a stowed position wherein the seat is pivotally attached to opposite sides of the toilet bowl.

The seat may be attached to the toilet bowl by any suitable means including conventional fittings.

In one preferred embodiment the seat is attached by means of a pair of bolts extending though respective throughbores in respective lugs extending from the seat and into respective bores in the sides of the toilet bowl.

The seat is preferably provided with a number of impact absorbing bumpers on the underside to prevent damage to the toilet bowl. At least one ad preferably at least two of said bumpers is provided with a lip to engage the inner edge of the flush toilet bowl rim to stabilise the seat on the bowl and prevent undue lateral movement.

A lid may be provided to overlie the seat, said lid having corresponding lugs with throughbores through which the rods also extend.

Preferably the bolts are threaded on at least part of their length so as to engage threads in the throughbores of either the seat or the lid or of both.

Preferably the bolts have suitable heads for engagement with fingers or a spanner or wrench to facilitate threading into the throughbores for fitting and removal or seat and lid.

In one embodiment the lugs are angled so that the seat is adapted to clear a raised rim at the back of the toilet bowl, such as the urinal portion of the first aspect..

As can be seen this arrangement allows for easier cleaning of the toilet bowl and provides an easy method of seat removal for replacement or cleaning.

Also the toilet seat in this system is less likely to be soiled by urine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view from the front of a flush toilet in accordance with the first aspect of the invention; Figure 2 is corresponds to Figure 1 but shows a seat attached to the bowl in accordance with the second aspect of the present invention; Figure 3 is a side view of a toilet bowl corresponding to that I Figure 1 showing the position of the pivot point; Figure 4 is a plan of the toilet bowl of Figure 1; Figure 5 is part sectional side elevation corresponding to Figure 4 but shows the toilet seat and lid arrangement or the second aspect of the invention fitted to the pivot point; Figure 6 is a cross section on the lines VI-VI of Figure 2; Figure 7 is a cross section on the line Vll-VlI of Figure 2; Figure 8 is a sectional side elevation of the toilet bowl of Figure 1 showing one arrangement of water passages for flushing; Figure 9 is an enlarged section of the part of Figure circled; Figure 10 corresponds to Figure 9 but shows a dual passage to deliver water to the urinal and the rest of the bowl separately; Figure 11 is a cross section on the line Xl-Xl of Figure 10; Figure 12 is a diagrammatic representation of a dual flush arrangement; Figure 13 is a schematic plan of the toilet bowl of Figure 1 showing flow path of flush water around the bowl; Figure 14 is a a front view of the bowl of Figure 13; Figure 15 is a plan of the toilet bowl of Figure 1 but showing an adapted seat covering the rear urinal part of the bowl.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to Figure 1 a flush toilet bowl 10, for use with a cistern 12, has a pedestal base 14, a bowl portion 16, and an extended rear urinal portion 18. In Figures 2 & 3 the bowl 10 is provided with a seat 20 pivotable about pivot 22 & 24 on pivot points 26 & 28 on either side of the urinal portion 18.

Figure 4 shows a pair of flush points 30 & 32 for egress of water to the urinal portion 18 and bowl portion 16 respectively.

In Figure 5 a seat 20 and a lid 34 are attached to the flush toilet bowl 10 at the pivot points 26 & 28 by threaded screws 36 through end portions 38 & 40 of the seat and lid. (Only one side is shown) As can be seen the seat and lid are angled clear of the urinal portion 18 when raised to reduce soiling and the positioning of the pivots and fittings (see Figure 6) on the sides of the urinal part 18 remove them from the target are thereby keeping them clean and dry. In Figure 6 the seat fitting comprises a threaded screw 42 which engages a threaded bore 44 in each end part 38 & 40 (one shown) of the lid 34, said screw extends through a bore 46 in an end part 48 of the seat 20 and into a bore 50 in the flush toilet bowl 10.

Figure 7 shows an adapted bumper 52 attached to the seat 20 and having a lip 54 which engages the inner edge 56 of the flush toilet bowl rim 58. Another such bumper 52 is provided on the opposite side of the seat (not shown).

together an opposing pair of adapted bumpers 52 stabilise the seat 20 on the bowl 10 and prevent undue lateral movement.

Figures 8 & 9 show the flow 60 of flush water from a cistern (not shown) though a single conduit system 62 in the flush toilet bowl rim 58. As can be seen from Figure 9 an upper opening 64 in the rim 58 adjacent the urinal portion 18 is provided.

Figures 10 & 11 a split conduit 66 is provided having a second internal conduit 68 for delivery of flush water to the urinal portion 18 (not shown).

In Figure 12 a dual flush cistern 70 is shown having a first valve 72 for the main toilet flush and a second valve 74 for the urinal portion 18.

Figure 13 & 14 show diagrammatic water flows to all parts of the flush toilet bowl 10.

In Figure 15 an adapted toilet seat 76 has an extended rear portion 78 covering the urinal portion 18 for comfort and aesthetics.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A flush toilet bowl for use with a cistern comprising an elongate bowl portion and an extended rear portion wherein the extended rear portion extends upwardly from the bowl portion to provide a urinal portion.
2. A flush toilet bowl as in Claim 1 wherein the height and depth of the urinal portion may be varied to accommodate the space available and the position of the cistern.
3. A flush toilet bowl as in any preceding Claim wherein there is provided internal conduits through which flush water flows to flush the interior of the bowl and the urinal portion.
4 A flush toilet as in Claim 3 wherein a single conduit is used with part of the water flow being deflected to flush the urinal part.
5. A flush toilet as in Claim 3 wherein a dual conduit is used with a second conduit adapted to carry water for the urinal part.
6 A flush toilet bowl as in any preceding Claim wherein there is provided a cistern having a dual flush system to deliver water to one or either of the urinal part and the toilet bowl.
7. A seat for a toilet bowl comprising a ring shaped seat portion adapted to be pivotally moved from a deployed position to a stowed position wherein the seat is pivotally attached to opposite sides of the toilet bowl.
8 A seat for a toilet bowl as in Claim 7 wherein the seat portion is attached to the toilet bowl by means of a pair of bolts extending though respective throughbores in respective lugs extending from the seat and into respective bores in the sides of the toilet bowl.
9 A seat for a toilet bowl as in either of Claims 7 or 8 wherein a lid is provided to overlie the seat, said lid having corresponding lugs with throughbores through which the rods also extend.
10 A seat for a toilet bowl as in any one of Claims 7 to 9 wherein the bolts are threaded on at least part of their length so as to engage threads in the throughbores of either the seat or the lid or of both.
11. A seat for a toilet bowl as in any one of Claims 7 to 11 wherein the lugs are angled so that the seat is adapted to clear a raised rim at the back of the toilet bowl, such as the urinal portion of Claim 1 12 A seat for a toilet bowl as in any one of Claims 7 to 12 wherein the seat is provided with a number of impact absorbing bumpers on the underside to prevent damage to the toilet bowl.

13 A seat for a toilet bowl as in Claims 12 wherein at least one and preferably at least two of the bumpers is provided with a lip to engage the inner edge of the flush toilet bowl rim to stabilise the seat on the bowl and prevent undue lateral movement.

14 A flush toilet bowl for use with a cistern as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1, to 4, and 8 to 14 or the accompanying drawings 15 A seat for a toilet bowl as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 5 to 7 and 15 of the accompanying drawings

11 A seat for a toilet bowl as in any one of Claims 7 to 10 wherein the bolts have suitable heads for engagement with fingers or a spanner or wrench to facilitate threading into the throughbores for fitting and removal or seat and lid.