GB2562496A

GB2562496A - Toilet for caravan or the like

Info

Publication number: GB2562496A
Application number: GB1707840.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: George Howard Nicholas
Original assignee: Bailey Caravans Ltd
Current assignee: Bailey Caravans Ltd
Priority date: 2017-05-16
Filing date: 2017-05-16
Publication date: 2018-11-21
Also published as: GB201707840D0

Abstract

A caravan 1 or mobile home includes a plurality of panels (3, 6, 8, 10 figure 2) and a toilet 40. The toilet has a toilet bowl unit 45, a flush tank unit 47 and a removable waste tank 50 coupled to the toilet bowl unit. The toilet bowl unit is mounted to a first one of the panels 6, and the toilet flush tank unit is mounted to a second one of the panels 8 and is remote from the toilet bowl unit. The removable waste tank and or flush tank may comprise a level sensor (not shown).

Description

(71) Applicant(s):

Bailey Caravans Limited (Incorporated in the United Kingdom) South Liberty Lane, Bristol, Avon, BS3 2SS, United Kingdom (51) INT CL:

B60R 15/04 (2006.01) (56) Documents Cited:

DE 202015100259 U1 ES 002510241 A1

FR 002346507 A1 US 7226115 B1 (58) Field of Search:

INT CL B60P, B60R, E03D

Other: EPODOC, WPI.

(72) Inventor(s):

Nicholas George Howard (74) Agent and/or Address for Service:

Withers & Rogers LLP

More London Riverside, LONDON, SE1 2AU, United Kingdom (54) Title of the Invention: Toilet for caravan or the like Abstract Title: Toilet for Caravan or similar (57) A caravan 1 or mobile home includes a plurality of panels (3,6,8, 10 figure 2) and a toilet 40. The toilet has a toilet bowl unit 45, a flush tank unit 47 and a removable waste tank 50 coupled to the toilet bowl unit. The toilet bowl unit is mounted to a first one of the panels 6, and the toilet flush tank unit is mounted to a second one of the panels 8 and is remote from the toilet bowl unit. The removable waste tank and or flush tank may comprise a level sensor (not shown).

TOILET FOR CARAVAN OR THE LIKE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to a toilet for a caravan or mobile home.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] In caravans and mobile homes, it is known to incorporate a toilet system having a toilet bowl unit, a removable waste tank coupled to the toilet bowl unit, and a flush tank configured to store a volume of water and directly coupled to the toilet bowl unit. The flush tank allows a limited number of flush functions to be achieved whilst travelling remotely from a water supply. The on-board flush tank can significantly constrain the design freedom of the caravan/mobile home manufacturer. The flush tank requires periodic refilling with water, typically through a port in the outside of the caravan/mobile home. The designer is often constrained to mounting the toilet system to a rear wall of the caravan to avoid inefficient space packaging within the caravan. This arrangement may require specialised bumpers or wall panels, for example, to be manufactured with an access hatch to enable access to the removable waste tank of the toilet system. In a product range, manufacturing specialised bumpers and wall panels can increase the overall cost of manufacture.

[0003] It is therefore desirable to design a toilet system having an on-board flush tank which increases the design freedom available to the caravan/mobile home manufacturer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0004] A first aspect of the invention provides a caravan or mobile home including a plurality of panels and a toilet, the toilet having a toilet bowl unit, a flush tank unit and a removable waste tank coupled to the toilet bowl unit, wherein the toilet bowl unit is mounted to a first one of the panels, and the toilet flush tank unit is mounted to a second one of the panels and is remote from the toilet bowl unit.

[0005] The term caravan is used to refer to any mobile dwelling that is towed behind a road vehicle and encompasses travel trailers, camper trailers, etc. The term mobile home is used to refer to any dwelling that is towed or transported on a trailer, and encompasses trailers, trailer homes, house trailers, static caravans, recreational vehicles, etc.

Although the term caravan is referenced in the description, it will be appreciated that the invention is applicable to both mobile and static caravans, in addition to mobile homes and any other form of recreational vehicle.

[0006] The panel(s) may be interior or exterior panels of the caravan/mobile home. For example, the panel may be an exterior wall panel, or an interior partition or cupboard panel.

[0007] The invention is advantaegous in that the flush tank unit is remote from the toilet bowl unit and is not directly attached to the toilet bowl unit. This significantly improves the design freedom of the caravan/mobile home designer when chosing the layout of the caravan interior. In particular this freedom may overcome constraints of existing toilets where the flush tank is directly connected to the toilet bowl, and yet the flush tank needs to be placed on an exterior wall to allow access to a filling aperture from outside the caravan/mobile home. The toilet bowl may then be situated on an interior wall panel, whilst the flush tank is situated on an exterior wall panel, for example. The invention also enables a sleeker interior design by concealing the flush tank. The flush tank may be concealed within a cupboard or behind a panel so as not to be visible for the toilet user.

[0008] The toilet may have at least one pipe in fluid communication between the toilet flush tank unit and the toilet bowl unit.

[0009] The caravan or mobile home may have a plurality of panels includes at least one outer panel defining a boundary between an interior of the caravan and an exterior of the caravan. The second panel may be the at least one outer panel.

[0010] The toilet flush tank may be mounted to an interior side of the second panel and comprises a filling aperture accessible from an exterior side of the second panel.

[0011] The caravan or mobile home may include at least four of the outer panels which define a front wall, a rear wall and two sidewalls of the caravan. The second panel may define one of the sidewalls of the caravan.

[0012] The first panel may be the at least one outer panel.

[0013] The plurality of panels may include at least one inner partition panel configured to enclose an area within the caravan.

[0014] The first panel may be the at least one inner partition panel.

[0015] The caravan or mobile home may further comprise an access hatch configured to permit removal of the waste tank through the access hatch.

[0016] The caravan or mobile home may further comprise a storage unit within the caravan, with the toilet flush tank unit contained within the storage unit.

[0017] The first panel and/or the second panel may define at least part of a boundary of the storage unit.

[0018] The storage unit may comprise a door configured to permit access to the storage unit from the interior of the caravan.

[0019] The door may be mounted on the first panel.

[0020] The storage unit may comprise a first compartment and a second compartment, wherein the removable waste tank is contained within the second compartment.

[0021] The at least one pipe may be peripherally disposed around the storage unit.

[0022] The toilet may comprise an electrical pump configured to pump water from the toilet flush tank unit to the toilet bowl unit, and a switch configured to operate the pump.

[0023] The switch may be located remotely from the toilet flush tank unit.

[0024] The removable waste tank and/or the toilet flush tank unit may further comprise a level sensor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0025] Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0026] Figure 1 is a schematic view of a caravan;

[0027] Figure 2 is a schematic partial floor plan of the caravan incorporating the toilet;

[0028] Figure 3 is an isometric partial view of the toilet;

[0029] Figure 4 is an isometric partial view of a storage unit incorporating part of the toilet;

[0030] Figure 5 is an isometric view of the caravan rear quarter showing the toilet flush tank filling aperture and the waste tank access hatch in the open position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT(S) [0031] Figure 1 shows a caravan 1 with a chassis 2 and a plurality of panels upstanding from the chassis 2 defining a front wall 4 integrated into roof 3, a rear wall 6 and sidewalls 8, 10. The panels are each formed as a laminate, typically a glass fibre reinforced composite (GFRC) and foam with an integral plastic skeleton. Alternately, the panels may be formed from natural-fibre materials, such as wood. A skirt 11 is disposed along the bottom edge of the panels.

[0032] The chassis 2 is substantially rectangular and extends beyond the front wall 4 to a hitch mechanism 9 configured to be attachable to an automotive tow-bar (not shown). A set of wheels 5, 7 on a single axle are further mounted to the chassis 2 by a suspension system (not shown). Alternately, the chassis may comprise multiple sets of wheels, e.g. on multiple axles.

[0033] A plurality of windows 12, a toilet flush tank filling aperture 14 and a toilet waste tank access hatch 16 are located on sidewall 8. A door (not shown) is located on the sidewall 10. It will be appreciated that depending on the layout of the caravan interior, the filling aperture 14 and access hatch 16 may be present on any of the sidewall 8, 10 or on the rear wall 6. The features of the filling aperture 14 and the access hatch 16 will be described in greater detail later with reference to Figure 5.

[0034] Figure 2 shows a partial floor plan of the rear of the caravan 1, the sidewalls 8, 10, rear wall 6 and front wall (not shown), defining a boundary between a caravan interior 20 and an exterior of the caravan. The front wall 4, rear wall 6 and sidewalls 8, 10 each have an exterior side, denoted 4a, 6a, 8a and 10a respectively, and an interior side, denoted 4b, 6b, 8b and 10b respectively. The interior layout may be changed and parts omitted or further parts added as desired.

[0035] The rear of the caravan interior 20 further comprises first and second inner partition panels 22, 24 amongst others. The first inner partition panel 22 is disposed at substantially 90 degrees from the interior side 8b of the sidewall 8 and extends across the caravan interior 20 to intersect opposing interior side 10b of sidewall 10. The first inner partition panel 22 has a first side 22a, facing towards the front wall 4 of the caravan 1, and a second side 22b, facing towards the rear wall of the caravan 1. The first side 22a, front wall 4 and sidewalls 8 and 10 define a living space 26 therebetween, and the second side 22b, rear wall 6 and sidewalls 8 and 10 define a utility space 28 therebetween. Alternatively, the utility space 28 may be located in the centre of the caravan.

[0036] A second inner partition panel 24 is disposed at substantially 90 degrees from rear wall 6 and extends across the caravan interior 20 towards the front wall 4, intersecting the second side 22b of the first partition panel 22 at an intersectional panel

23. The second inner partition panel 24 terminates at the intersectional panel 23.

[0037] The utility space 28 comprises a storage unit 30, defined by the area enclosed by the first inner partition panel 22, the second inner partition panel 24, the sidewall 8 and the rear wall 6. The storage unit 30 has a clothes rail 31 spanning from the rear wall 6 to the first inner partition panel 22. The clothes rail 31 is mounted to the interior side 6b of the rear wall 6 at one end and is mounted to the second side 22b of the first inner partition panel 22 at the other end. It will be appreciated that although the storage unit in Figure 2 is in the form of a wardrobe, the storage unit 30 may be in any suitable form, such as a cupboard. The storage unit 30 will be described in greater detail with reference to Figure 4.

[0038] The utility space 28 further comprises a toilet 40, and a sink 36 mounted to the interior side 6b of rear wall 6. The toilet 40 will now be described in greater detail with reference to Figure 3.

[0039] Figure 3 shows the toilet according to the present invention, the toilet 40 having a toilet housing 41, a toilet bowl unit 45, configured to receive waste stuffs, a removable waste tank 50 coupled to the rear of the toilet housing 41, and a flush tank unit 46 coupled to the toilet housing 41. The flush tank unit 46 is located above the toilet bowl unit 45 and the flush tank unit 46 and the toilet bowl unit 45 are remote from one another. The toilet bowl unit 45 is mounted on top of the toilet housing 41.

[0040] The toilet bowl unit 45 has a seat portion 42 and a lid 43, located directly above the toilet bowl unit 45, the lid being rotatably mounted to the seat portion 42 via a hinge 44. The lid 43 is configured to rotate approximately 90 degrees between a closed position, wherein the seat portion 42 is substantially covered, and an open position wherein the seat portion 42 is uncovered.

[0041] The flush tank unit 46 comprises a liquid tight container 47, configured to contain a volume of flushing liquid, having an inlet 48 located on a top portion 46a of the flush tank unit 46, configured to provide liquid access to the liquid tight container 47, an outlet 49 and an electrical pump (not shown). Alternatively, the electrical pump may be remote from the flush tank unit 46. Typically the liquid contained within the liquid tight container 47 is water. However, the liquid tight container may also contain other chemicals, such as liquid bleach. The flush tank unit 46 may further comprise a level sensor (not shown), disposed within the liquid tight container, which may be used to indicate to a user when refilling is required. The flush tank unit 46 and the electrical pump provide a flush function to the toilet 40. The electrical pump is connected to a caravan power supply (not shown), typically in form of a battery, via a switch 54. The battery of the present invention provides a power supply of 12 V to the electrical pump. The caravan power supply is electrically connected to the switch 54 and the switch 54 is subsequently connected to the electrical pump via a wire 56. A flush button 55 is provided as a means to actuate the switch 54 between an off position and an on position. Alternatively, the switch 54 may be actuated by any other suitable mechanism. The switch 54 is located remotely from the flush tank unit 46, but proximal to the toilet bowl unit 45. Alternatively, the switch 54 may be located on the flush tank unit 46.

[0042] The operation of the electrical pump to provide a flush function will now be described with reference to Figure 3.

[0043] The electrical pump is configured to pump flushing liquid from the liquid tight container 47 through the outlet 49. The outlet 49 is disposed on a top portion 46a of the flush tank unit 46, adjacent to the inlet 48, and therefore the passage of fluid through the outlet is prevented when the electrical pump is off.

[0044] The switch 54 is placed into the on position by applying a compressive force to the flush button 55. When the switch 54 is placed in the on position, a supply of power is provided to the electrical pump, which activates the electrical pump. The switch 54 is thereby configured to operate the electrical pump. When the electrical pump is activated, liquid is pumped from the liquid tight container 47 to the outlet 49.

[0045] A pipe 52 connects the flush tank unit 46 to the toilet bowl unit 45 via the toilet housing 41. The pipe 52 has a first end 52a in fluid communication with the outlet 49 of the liquid tight container 47 and a second end 52b in fluid communication with the toilet bowl unit 45.

[0046] Upon activation of the electrical pump, the pipe 52 receives flushing liquid from the outlet 49 and permits passage of the liquid from the outlet 49, through the pipe 52, through the housing 41 and into the toilet bowl unit 45, thereby providing the flush function. The flush button 55 is sprung and returns to the default off position after the compressive force has been removed. In the default off position there is no supply of power to the electrical pump which subsequently becomes deactivated, thereby terminating the flush operation.

[0047] The toilet 40 further comprises a removable waste tank 50 coupled in fluid communication with the the toilet bowl unit 45. The removable waste tank 50 may also comprise a level sensor (not shown).

[0048] A blade seal (not shown) is disposed between the toilet bowl unit 45 and the removable waste tank 50. The blade seal is manually actuated by a lever 51 located proximal to the toilet 40. In Figure 3, the lever 51 is integrated into the toilet housing 41. The lever 51 is configured to translate the blade seal along a horizontal axis between a closed position and an open position. Alternatively, the blade seal maybe translatable along a vertical axis or in a further alternative, the blade seal may be pivotable. In the closed position of the blade seal, the passage of liquid between the toilet bowl unit 45 and the removable waste tank 50 is substantially prevented.

[0049] In the open position, the blade seal places the removable waste tank 50 in communication with the toilet bowl unit 45 so as to permit the passage of waste stuffs from the toilet bowl unit 45 into the removable waste tank 50. Typically, the blade seal is actuated into the open position prior to the flush function being performed.

[0050] The removable waste tank 50 is releasably mounted to the toilet housing 41. Removal of the removable waste tank 50 from the toilet housing 41 is facilitated via translating the removable waste tank 50 in a direction horizontally away from the toilet housing 41. Typically, the blade seal is actuated into the closed position prior to the removal of the removable waste tank 50 being performed.

[0051] One example of packaging the toilet 40 is shown in Figure 4. The toilet bowl unit 42 is mounted to a first side 24a of the second inner partition panel 24, and the toilet flush tank unit 46 is mounted to an interior side 8b of sidewall 8. The flush tank unit 46 is fixed to the sidewall 8 via a fixing bracket 58.

[0052] Alternatively, the flush tank unit 46 may be mounted to the interior side 6b of the rear wall 6b. In a further alternative, the toilet bowl unit 45 may be mounted to the second side 22b of the first inner partition panel 22.

[0053] In another example, the toilet bowl unit 45 may be mounted to the interior side 8b of sidewall 8, and the flush tank unit 46 may be mounted to the interior side 6b of rear wall 6. In yet a further alternative, the flush tank unit 46 may be mounted to the interior side 8b of sidewall 8 and the toilet bowl unit 45 may be mounted to the interior side 6b of rear wall 6.

[0054] It will be appreciated that although the sidewall 8 is shown and referenced in Figure 4 and the above description, each of the examples described as being mounted to sidewall 8 may instead be mounted to sidewall 10.

[0055] The switch 54 is mounted to the interior side 6b of the rear wall 6. Alternatively, the switch 54 may be mounted to sidewalls 8, 10, the first inner partition panel 22 or the second inner partition panel 24.

[0056] A cut-away view of the storage unit 30 is shown in Figure 4, the storage unit 30 having a storage unit base 33 spanning horizontally between the first and second inner partition panels 22,24, rear wall 6 and sidewall 8. The storage unit base 33 has an upper portion 33a which defines a first compartment 35 of the storage unit 30 between the upper portion 33a of the storage unit base 33 and the roof 3.

[0057] The toilet flush tank unit 46 is contained within the first compartment 35 of the storage unit 30.

[0058] A storage unit door 38 is hingedly mounted to the second inner partition panel 24 and is secured via a catch 39. The storage unit door 38 permits access to the first compartment 35 of the storage unit 30 from the caravan interior 20.

[0059] The storage unit base 33 has a lower portion 33b which defines a second compartment 37 of the storage unit 30 between the lower portion 33b of the storage unit base 33 and the chassis 2, the second compartment being located directly below the first compartment 35.

[0060] The second compartment 37 contains the removable waste tank 50 and is not accessible from the caravan interior 20.

[0061] The pipe 52 and the wire 56 are peripherally disposed around second compartment 37 of the storage unit 30. The wire 56 passes along the rear wall 6 and along the second inner partition panel 24 to the toilet housing 41. At the toilet housing 41 the wire 56 and pipe 52 are together fed along the remaining portion of the second inner partition panel 24, along first inner partition panel 22 and part-way along the sidewall 8, before being fed vertically skyward up the sidewall 8, through an aperture 33c in the storage unit base 33, to flush tank unit 46 and the pump respectively.

[0062] The second compartment 37 is accessible from the exterior of the caravan via an access hatch 16 as shown in Figure 5.

[0063] Figure 5 shows a rear view of the caravan 1, the caravan 1 having a bumper 6c mounted to the exterior side 6a of the rear wall 6, disposed on a lower portion of the rear wall 6.

[0064] Typically, the bumper 6c is produced separately from the panel forming the rear wall 6 of the caravan.

[0065] The bumper 6c is typically a laminate component, typically a moulded glass fibre reinforced composite (GFRC). The bumper 6c is mounted to the rear wall 6 via mechanical fastening means with a seal. However, the bumper 6c may be mounted using an adhesive or may be co-bonded to the rear wall 6.

[0066] The exterior side 8a of sidewall 8 has a filling aperture 14 located proximal to the inlet 48 of the flush tank unit 46, which is disposed on the interior side 8b of sidewall

8. The filling aperture 14 is accessible from an exterior side 8a of the sidewall 8 and is in fluid communication with the inlet 48 of the flush tank unit 46 so as to permit filling of the flush tank unit 46 from the exterior of the caravan. Alternatively, the filling aperture 14 may be located on sidewall 10 or rear wall 6 or, in a further alternative, may be omitted, with the inlet 48 being configured to be filled directly from the interior 20 of the caravan.

[0067] The filling aperture 14 further comprises a cover 15 which is rotatably mounted about the filling aperture 14 configured to rotated between a covered position, wherein fluid communication through the filling aperture 14 is permitted, and an uncovered position, wherein fluid communication through the filling aperture 14 is substantially prevented. Alternatively, the cover 15 may be slidingly mounted or in a further alternative, may be removable.

[0068] The exterior side 8a of sidewall 8 also features an access hatch 16, disposed beneath the filling aperture 14 proximal to the skirt 11. The access hatch 16 comprises an opening 17 configured to permit access to the second compartment 37 of the storage unit 30 from the exterior of the caravan.

[0069] The access hatch 16 further comprises a hatch door 18 located about the opening

17. The hatch door 18 is rotatably mounted to the exterior side 8a of the sidewall 8 and is configured to rotate between an uncovered position, wherein the removal of the removable waste tank 50 from the second compartment 37 is permitted through the access hatch 16 via the opening 17 to the exterior of the caravan, and a covered position, wherein the opening 17 is substantially covered and access to the second compartment 37 is not permitted. Alternatively, the hatch door 18 may be slidingly mounted or in a further alternative, may be removable.

[0070] The hatch door 18 further comprises a securing means in the form of a locking mechanism 19 configured to secure the hatch door 18 in the covered position. Typically the hatch door 18 is secured when the removable flush tank 50 is present within the second compartment 37, for example during use or periods of travel.

[0071] In an alternative example, the access hatch 16 may be located on sidewall 10 or on rear wall 6.

[0072] Although the invention has been described above with reference to one or more preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that various changes or modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A caravan or mobile home including a plurality of panels and a toilet, the toilet having a toilet bowl unit, a flush tank unit and a removable waste tank coupled to the toilet bowl unit, wherein the toilet bowl unit is mounted to a first one of the panels, and the toilet flush tank unit is mounted to a second one of the panels and is remote from the toilet bowl unit.

2. A caravan or mobile home according to claim 1 comprising at least one pipe in fluid communication between the toilet flush tank unit and the toilet bowl unit.

3. A caravan or mobile home according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the plurality of panels includes at least one outer panel defining a boundary between an interior of the caravan and an exterior of the caravan.

4. A caravan or mobile home according to claim 3, wherein the second panel is the at least one outer panel.

5. A caravan or mobile home according to claim 4, wherein the toilet flush tank is mounted to an interior side of the second panel and comprises a filling aperture accessible from an exterior side of the second panel.

6. A caravan or mobile home according to any of claims 3 to 5, including at least four of the outer panels which define a front wall, a rear wall and two sidewalls of the caravan, wherein the second panel defines one of the sidewalls of the caravan.

7. A caravan or mobile home according to any of claims 3 to 6, wherein the first panel is the at least one outer panel.

8. A caravan or mobile home according to any preceding claim, wherein the plurality of panels includes at least one inner partition panel configured to enclose an area within the caravan.

9. A caravan or mobile home according to claim 8 when dependent on any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first panel is the at least one inner partition panel.

10. A caravan or mobile home according to any preceding claim, further comprising an access hatch configured to permit removal of the waste tank through the access hatch.

11. A caravan or mobile home according to any preceding claim, further comprising a storage unit within the caravan, and wherein the toilet flush tank unit is contained within the storage unit.

12. A caravan or mobile home according to claim 11, wherein the first panel and/or the second panel define at least part of a boundary of the storage unit.

13. A caravan or mobile home according to claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the storage unit comprises a door configured to permit access to the storage unit from the interior of the caravan.

14. A caravan or mobile home according to claim 13, wherein the door is mounted on the first panel.

15. A caravan or mobile home according to any of claims 11 to 14, the storage unit comprising a first compartment and a second compartment, wherein the removable waste tank is contained within the second compartment.

16. A caravan or mobile home according to any of claims 11 to 15 when dependent on claim 2, wherein the at least one pipe is peripherally disposed around the storage unit.

17. A caravan or mobile home according to any preceding claim, wherein the toilet comprises an electrical pump configured to pump water from the toilet flush tank unit to the toilet bowl unit, and a switch configured to operate the pump.

18. A caravan or mobile home according to claim 17, wherein the switch is located remotely from the toilet flush tank unit.

19. A caravan or mobile home according to any preceding claim, wherein the removable waste tank and/or the toilet flush tank unit further comprises a level sensor.

Intellectual

Property Office

Application No: GB1707840.3