US20150376888A1

US20150376888A1 - Urinal Attachment For Toilet

Info

Publication number: US20150376888A1
Application number: US14/749,055
Authority: US
Inventors: Jean Clement Chery
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-06-26
Filing date: 2015-06-24
Publication date: 2015-12-31

Abstract

A device for use with toilets introduces urinal functionality to traditional seated toilets. By providing a urinal attachment the need to raise and lower a toilet seat is eliminated, along with many of the corresponding issues that result from different gender preferences for toilet seat positioning. A mount connect a funneling body and a plumbing assembly to the toilet, with the funneling body receiving and channeling urine through the plumbing assembly and into the bowl of the toilet. The funneling body can be rotated and tilted with respect to the plumbing assembly, while the plumbing assembly can be rotated with respect to the mount. The ability to reposition the funneling body results in improved ergonomics as users can adjust the funneling body to better suit their preference. The funneling body can also be retracted to a storage position, allowing the toilet to be used normally in a sitting position.

Description

The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 62/017,430 filed on Jun. 26, 2014.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a urinal like device, designed to work with an existing toilet, toilet bowl or as a standalone device. The present invention serves to decrease the amount of spillage of urine on toilets, toilet seats, floors and other items around toilets and provide a more convenient alternative to urinating in the toilet bowl or other unspecified urine disposal containers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Bathrooms are usually one of the dirtiest rooms in a home. The toilet, especially, tends to be the dirtiest and most unsanitary fixture in the bathroom. Not only is the toilet difficult to clean sometimes, it is also extremely cumbersome as its highly frequent usage can result in the accumulation of germs, bacteria and residue of human waste that can be difficult to clean. Additionally, the task of cleaning the toilet itself is the one chore that most people do not care to do. To clean the toilet the person needs to clean inside of the bowl; the face underneath the seat of the bowl; the bottom face of the cover; as well as the area around the toilet. And if the seat was not lifted when used by a male while urinating, urine usually spills over the seat and the surrounding floor which have to also be cleaned.
Households generally have bathrooms shared by many people of the opposite gender, whether it may be husband and wife, brother and sister or guests. Sharing a toilet seat with someone of the opposite gender sometimes causes a lot of tension and discord. The idea of leaving the toilet seat up or down is an issue that tends to lead to arguments even among family and friends as people are usually not fond of having to touch toilet seat to adjust them after someone else have used a toilet. Typically, the male user must lift the toilet before urinating to avoid soiling the seat which may lead to undue contamination of the male user's hands. Even when the male user is careful to lift the toilet seat before urinating, some urine sometimes end up spilling on the toilet bowl, floor or other items in the bathroom. Should the male not be careful to properly wash his hands, he may transfer microbes, bacteria and/or deadly germs from the toilet seat to other people and/or objects.
This invention intends to help eliminate (or at the very least reduce) unwanted urine spillage on toilets, toilet seats, floors and other items around toilets after urination by male users. The invention will help to create a cleaner, more germ free environment for people of either sex who need to sit down on a toilet seat. If the male user needs to urinate, it is socially understood that he must lift the toilet seat before urination and lower the seat after. If he chooses not to or forgets to lower the seat after urinating, the next user, female or male, who must sit in order to use the toilet may not have taken notice of the lifted seat assuming it was lowered to begin with or must lower the seat himself or herself. If the next user does not realize the seat is lifted, he or she may fall bottom first into the toilet bowl. If the user does realize the seat is lifted, he or she must lower the seat which again may lead to undue contamination of the hands.
These problems are easily fixed with the use of the present invention. This urinal like device is an apparatus that can easily be attached to a plurality of models of toilets. In an alternate embodiment, the urinal attachment can also function as a standalone device. This device provides flexible and adjustable means of collecting urine when urinating in a toilet bowl or other unspecified urine collection devices. This device can be made from a number of different types of materials such as plastic or metal. The present invention will reduce or eliminate the need for male toilet users to raise or lower a toilet seat to urinate. It will also reduce or eliminate the amount of urine that unintentionally falls outside of the intended container, the toilet bowl or other unspecified urine collection container. The present invention can be utilized in a variety of locations, including toilets located in homes, aircraft, trains, buses, and any areas that have limited space and an increased chance of urine spillage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a back view of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a left side view of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a right side view of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an exploded isometric view of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is an exploded current view of the present invention

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the present invention attached to a toilet bowl;

FIG. 11 is a top view of the present invention attached to a toilet bowl;

FIG. 12 is a front view of the present invention attached to a toilet bowl;

FIG. 13 is a back view of the present invention attached to a toilet bowl; and,

FIG. 14 is an isometric view of the present invention engaged with a toilet bowl.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
The present invention is a toilet 4 accessory that allows introduces urinal functionality to existing seated toilets 4. The present invention comprises a funneling body 1, a plumbing assembly 2, and a mount 3 in support of this. The funneling body 1 comprises an inlet 11 while the plumbing assembly 2 comprises an outlet 21; the inlet 11 allows urine to enter the present invention, with said urine being channeled towards the outlet 21. The outlet 21 is oriented such that it dispenses said urine into a toilet bowl. The mount 3 is attached to a toilet 4 and provides structural support for the plumbing assembly 2 and joined funneling body 1. The present invention is illustrated with and without toilet 4 in FIG. 1-FIG. 14.
The funneling body 1 is in fluid communication with the plumbing assembly 2 in order to allow urine received at the inlet 11 to be transferred to and ejected at the outlet 21. The plumbing assembly 2 is adjacently and rotatably connected to the mount 3, allowing a user to adjust the position of the present invention to their preference. To further enhance adjustability, the funneling body 1 is rotatably and tiltably connected to the plumbing assembly 2. These connections allow a user to orient the funneling body 1 in a manner that is best suited for receiving and containing a stream of urine.
The funneling body 1 is provided to receive urine and channel said urine to a toilet 4 bowl via an outlet 21 of the plumbing assembly 2. Along with the inlet 11, the funneling body 1 comprises a lateral surface 12 and a drain hole 13. The lateral surface 12 forms the main structure of the funneling body 1, with the inlet 11 and the drain hole 13 being positioned opposite each other along the lateral surface 12. Put more simply, the inlet 11 is at the top of the lateral surface 12 while the drain hole 13 is at the bottom of the lateral surface 12. The lateral surface 12 effectively defines an interior volume as a fluid receiving volume; fluids received at the inlet 11 pass through the interior volume within the lateral surface 12 and out of the drain hole 13. In short, the inlet 11 is in fluid communication with the drain hole 13. The drain hole 13 itself is in fluid communication with the plumbing assembly 2, as the drain hole 13 directs fluids (originating within the fluid receiving volume of the lateral surface 12) to the plumbing assembly 2.
Further defining the funneling body 1, the inlet 11 comprises a lateral opening 14. This lateral opening 14 traverses into the lateral surface 12, effectively removing a section of the lateral surface 12. The result is that the sides and rear of the lateral surface 12 are elevated with respect to the front area. This open portion in the front area more closely resembles the shape of a traditional urinal and allows a user to aim their urine at the rear section of the lateral surface 12. This is easier than trying to urinate directly into a top opening of an embodiment where the funneling body 1 does not have the lateral opening 14. Thus, including a lateral opening 14 is beneficial as it increases user friendliness and minimizes the chance of a user missing the funneling body 1.
Potentially, the lateral surface 12 may be tapered from the inlet 11 towards the drain hole 13. A tapered shape allows for a wider inlet 11, making urinating into the funneling body 1 easier for a user. The tapered shape also improves sanitation by minimizing fluid reside in the funneling body 1, as might otherwise happen with a flat bottomed embodiment. It is noted that the shape of the funneling body 1 is not restricted to that of the preferred embodiment; cylindrical, rectangular, and other shapes could be used for the funneling body 1 without deviating from the scope of the present invention. Ultimately, alternative embodiments of the funneling body 1 may be employed as long as they are capable of collecting and draining urine while simultaneously minimizing or eliminating splatter (often referred to as “splash back”) of urine.
The components of the funneling body 1 allow it to serve as a urine receptacle of sorts. Urine enters through the inlet 11 and is contained within the volume interior to the lateral surface 12, from which the urine is expelled via the drain hole 13 into the plumbing mechanism.
The plumbing assembly 2 itself further comprises a telescoping section 22 and a rigid section 23, in addition to the outlet 21 as earlier introduced. These two sections are adjacently connected to each other and in fluid communication with each other, such that fluids may freely pass through these sections. The drain hole 13 of the funneling body 1, being in fluid communication with the telescoping section 22, empties directly into the telescoping section 22. The telescoping section 22 is in fluid communication with the outlet 21 through the rigid section 23, allowing fluid that is collected with the funneling body 1 to ultimately be expelled via the outlet 21. Furthermore, the telescoping section 22 can be elongated or shortened, resultantly moving the coupled funneling body 1 further away from or closer to the mount 3.
Other means of providing an adjustable fluid connection as part of the plumbing assembly 2 in place of the telescoping section 22 are possible. For example, in one embodiment the telescoping section 22 may be replaced with a flexible tubing. The flexible tubing is just one example of how the plumbing assembly 2 can be configured, with the plumbing assembly 2 not being restricted to utilization of the telescoping section 22.
The outlet 21, from which the urine is ejected, is positioned between the rim 41 of a toilet 4 and the seat 42 of the toilet 4. In addition, the outlet 21 is positioned over the rim of the bowl of the toilet 4, ensuring that ejected urine is collected within the bowl of the toilet 4. Placing the outlet 21 between the rim 41 and the seat 42 is important as it allows for the seat 42 to remain in a down position while still providing a means for male users to urinate standing up. As negating the need to consistently switch a seat 42 between an up position and a down position is one of the goals of the present invention, it is desirable for the outlet 21 to be positioned below the seat 42. If the outlet 21 were positioned above the seat 42 a user would be unable to sit down on the seat 42 without moving the nozzle, reducing user-friendliness of the present invention.
In order to fit between the rim 41 and the seat 42, the outlet 21 preferably has a flattened (rather than cylindrical) shape, minimizing the height of the outlet 21. This allows the outlet 21 to be positioned under the seat 42 without creating a noticeable change in elevation of the seat 42; if the outlet 21 is too large it will cause a portion of the seat 42 to raise up, akin to a bump. As this would prove uncomfortable for a person sitting on the seat 42, the preferred embodiment utilizes the described flattened version of the outlet 21. While the flattened outlet 21 is not required, it is beneficial to ergonomic use of the present invention; in embodiments where the flattened outlet 21 is not feasible, the outlet 21 may, for example, be implemented as a tubing with a small enough radius that it does not raise a portion of a toilet seat 42 resting atop the outlet 21.
Preferably, the rigid section 23 is rotatably connected to the mount 3, such that rotation of the rigid section 23 results in corresponding rotation of the telescoping section 22 and coupled funneling body 1. This rotatable connection, in conjunction with the rotatable and tiltable connection between the funneling body 1 and the plumbing assembly 2 as well as the telescoping sections 22 ability to extend or compress, provides a user with the ability to adjust the positioning of the funneling body 1 to meet their personal preference. The adjustable nature of the present invention allows for improved ergonomics as users can reposition the funneling body 1 to match their height or stance, for example. Furthermore, the telescoping section 22, when compressed, allows the funneling body 1 to be moved closer to the mount 3. This is very important as it allows a toilet 4 which is equipped with the present invention to still be used in a seated position; without the telescoping section 22 the funneling body 1 could not be retracted. The position of such a non-retractable funneling body 1 would interfere with regular seated use of the toilet 4, if positioned too close to the toilet 4, or be unwieldy and take up unnecessary space if positioned too far from the toilet 4. Hence the preference for a telescoping section 22 to allow the funneling body 1 to be retracted to a storage position.
The telescoping section 22 comprises a plurality of pipes 24, with each of the plurality of pipes 24 forming individual parts of the telescoping section 22. From the plurality of pipes 24, a selected pipe 25 is slidably engaged with an adjacent pipe 26, with the selected pipe 25 traversing into the adjacent pipe 26. In other words, the outer radius of the selected pipe 25 is aligned with the inner radius of the adjacent pipe 26, allowing for said slidable engagement. The result is that the selected pipe 25 can be retracted within the adjacent pipe 26 or extended out of the adjacent pipe 26, allowing for a user to adjust the overall length of the telescoping section 22. The coupled funneling body 1 can thus be retracted towards or extended from the mount 3, transitioning between an “in use” position and a “storage” position.
In the preferred embodiment, the present invention further comprises a handle 15 which is adjacently connected to the lateral surface 12 of the funneling body 1. The handle 15 is positioned exterior to the lateral surface 12, providing a clean surface that a user can grasp. The handle 15 makes positional adjustments of the funneling body 1 more user-friendly by providing an ergonomic feature that can be easily and comfortably manipulated by a user. The handle 15 also provides a cleaner surface that a user can hold while repositioning the funneling body 1; without the handle 15 a user would have to directly touch the funneling body 1. As the funneling body 1 is provided for the reception of urine, direct handling is undesired for sanitation reasons. While the present invention is certainly still usable without the handle 15, it is no doubt improved with the addition of the handle 15.
The mount 3, in the preferred embodiment, comprises a bracing member 31 and a hook member 32, with the bracing member 31 being adjacently connected to the hook member 32. The hook member 32 is a U-shaped bracket that can be secured over the rim 41 of the water tank of the toilet 4. Described in more detail, a web connects a first arm and a second arm of the u-shaped bracket, with the first arm being positioned interior to the water tank and the second arm being positioned exterior to the water tank. Resultantly, the web is positioned directly atop the rim 41 of the water tank. The bracing member 31 is adjacently connected to the second rim 41, such that the second rim 41 and bracing member 31 combine to form a smooth planar body. The bracing member 31 thus presses against the exterior side of the water tank, using the normal force from the water tank to help support the weight of the present invention.
The mount 3 as described in the preferred embodiment is ideal as it is simple to install and does not require the use of any tools; a user simply lifts the lid of the water tank, places the hook over the rim 41 of the water tank, and lowers the lid back onto the water tank. The ease of use means that the present invention can easily be installed or uninstalled from a toilet 4 without requiring the service of a professional. The simplicity of the mount 3 of the preferred embodiment is further beneficial as it helps to keep construction costs, and correspondingly price, of the present invention low.
Alternatives to the mount 3 as heretofore described include one embodiment where the mount 3 allows the funneling body 1 and plumbing assembly 2 to be coupled to a wall mounted hook. The funneling body 1 and plumbing assembly 2 thus hang from the wall via the mount 3. The method of supporting the funneling body 1 and plumbing assembly 2, including the specific implementation of the mount 3, can be varied between embodiments as described heretofore and hereafter.
In other embodiments, different mounting systems may be utilized. Furthermore, in some embodiments the mount 3 could be substituted for; in one embodiment a the present invention could be installed onto a stand, with the stand being placed on the floor adjacent to the toilet 4 rather than being mounted directly to the toilet 4.
Potentially, in another embodiment, the outlet 21 could be positioned over a separate independent fluid receptacle, rather than being positioned over the bowl of the toilet 4. The separate independent fluid receptacle could be directly connecting to a house's existing plumbing, or instead be a removable allowing for a user to dispose of the contents as desired; the latter might be desirable for persons who are attempting to reduce their environmental impact and have installed waste composting areas in or around their homes.
Another possibility for the present invention is the provision of a separate flushing mechanism. This separate flushing mechanism can be connected into the existing plumbing for the toilet 4, with a corresponding handle 15 being provided on the present invention, for example on the mount 3. As a benefit, the flushing mechanism can be configured to use a reduced amount 3 of water when flushed, as non-solid waste requires less water to be flushed compared to solid waste. By accommodating for this, the present invention can help reduce water usage, and as a result utility bills for consumers and water waste in the environment.
The present invention, being primarily intended as a retro-fit device, has further possible embodiments. For example, the present invention may be directly integrated into the drainage system of the toilet 4 (as with the described preferred embodiment), or into the drainage pipe under, behind, or around the toilet 4 in the floor or wall, ultimately ejecting fluids either into the toilet 4 bowl or directly into the drainage pipe. For new toilet 4 installations, the present invention can be integrated into the toilet 4 design, as opposed to being retrofitted like described in the preferred embodiment.
Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A urinal attachment for toilet comprises:

a funneling body;

the funneling body comprises an inlet;

a plumbing assembly;

the plumbing assembly comprises an outlet;

a mount, wherein the mount is attached to a toilet;

the funneling body being in fluid communication with the plumbing assembly;

the funneling body being rotatably and tiltably connected to the plumbing assembly;

the plumbing assembly being adjacently connected to the mount; and

the plumbing assembly being rotatably connected to the mount, wherein rotating the plumbing assembly imparts corresponding movement to the funneling body.

2. The urinal attachment for toilet as claimed in claim 1 comprises:

the funneling body further comprises a lateral surface, and a drain hole;

the inlet and the drain hole being positioned opposite each other along the lateral surface;

the inlet being in fluid communication with the drain hole; and

the drain hole being in fluid communication with the plumbing assembly.

3. The urinal attachment for toilet as claimed in claim 1 comprises:

the inlet comprises a lateral opening;

the lateral opening traversing into a lateral surface of the funneling body; and

the lateral opening being positioned opposite the plumbing assembly along the lateral surface.

4. The urinal attachment for toilet as claimed in claim 1 comprises:

a lateral surface of the funneling body being tapered from the inlet towards the drain hole.

5. The urinal attachment for toilet as claimed in claim 1 comprises:

a handle;

the handle being adjacently connected to a lateral surface of the funneling body; and

the handle being positioned exterior to the lateral surface.

6. The urinal attachment for toilet as claimed in claim 1 comprises:

the plumbing assembly further comprises a telescoping section and a rigid section;

the telescoping section being adjacently connected to the rigid section;

the drain hole being in fluid communication with the telescoping section;

the telescoping section being in fluid communication with the rigid section;

the rigid section being rotatably connected to the mount;

the rigid section being in fluid communication with the outlet; and

the telescoping section being in fluid communication with the outlet through the rigid section.

7. The urinal attachment for toilet as claimed in claim 6 comprises:

the telescoping section comprises a plurality of pipes;

a selected pipe from the plurality of pipes being slidably engaged with an adjacent pipe from the plurality of pipes; and

the selected pipe traversing into the adjacent pipe.

8. The urinal attachment for toilet as claimed in claim 1 comprises:

the outlet being positioned between a rim of the toilet and a seat of the toilet; and

the outlet being positioned over a bowl of the toilet, wherein fluid being dispensed from the outlet is collected in the bowl.

9. The urinal attachment for toilet as claimed in claim 1 comprises:

the mount comprises a bracing member and a hook member; and

the bracing member being adjacently connected to the hook member.

10. A urinal attachment for toilet comprises:

a funneling body;

the funneling body comprises an inlet, a lateral surface, and a drain hole;

a plumbing assembly;

the plumbing assembly comprises an outlet, a telescoping section, and a rigid section;

a mount, wherein the mount is attached to a toilet;

the funneling body being in fluid communication with the plumbing assembly;

the plumbing assembly being adjacently connected to the mount;

the plumbing assembly being rotatably connected to the mount, wherein rotating the plumbing assembly imparts corresponding movement to the funneling body;

the telescoping section being adjacently connected to the rigid section;

the drain hole being in fluid communication with the telescoping section; and

the telescoping section being in fluid communication with the rigid section.

11. The urinal attachment for toilet as claimed in claim 10 comprises:

the inlet being in fluid communication with the drain hole; and

the drain hole being in fluid communication with the plumbing assembly.

12. The urinal attachment for toilet as claimed in claim 10 comprises:

the inlet comprises a lateral opening;

the lateral opening traversing into the lateral surface; and

13. The urinal attachment for toilet as claimed in claim 10 comprises:

the lateral surface being tapered from the inlet towards the drain hole.

14. The urinal attachment for toilet as claimed in claim 10 comprises:

a handle;

the handle being adjacently connected to the lateral surface; and

the handle being positioned exterior to the lateral surface.

15. The urinal attachment for toilet as claimed in claim 10 comprises:

the rigid section being rotatably connected to the mount;

the rigid section being in fluid communication with the outlet; and

16. The urinal attachment for toilet as claimed in claim 10 comprises:

the telescoping section comprises a plurality of pipes;

the selected pipe traversing into the adjacent pipe.

17. The urinal attachment for toilet as claimed in claim 10 comprises:

18. The urinal attachment for toilet as claimed in claim 10 comprises:

the mount comprises a bracing member and a hook member; and

the bracing member being adjacently connected to the hook member.