US2073390A - Toilet - Google Patents

Description

March 9, 1937. c. T. GIBLETTE TO'ILET Filed Oct. 19, 1932 INVENTOR.

Mam

Patented Mar. 9, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TOILET Catherine T. Giblette, Detroit, Mich. Application October 19, 1932, Serial No. ceases 11 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in toilets; and the objects of my improvement are, first to provide a toilet especially adapted for the use of infants or invalids; second, to provide a toilet r, enclosed in a container of the portable typ third,

to provide a toilet provided with means for preventing contents and odors from escaping therefrom; fourth, to provide a toilet having a movable protective device between its cover andvesm sel; flfth, to provide a toilet having a deflector means; sixth, to provide a toilet with liquid tight compartments therein; seventh, to provide a toilet having a closed container with foldable arm members contained therein when folded; eighth, to IE1 provide a toilet having a coveradapted for compressing a gasket-against the vessel of the toilet; ninth, 'to provide a toilet assembly having the appearance when closed of a compact suit case? tenth, to provide a toilet housing having one of its sides formed by an air tight compartment provided with a hinged door; eleventh, to provide a toilet having a cover positioned by hinge members adapted for use as hand or arm rests; twelfth, to provide a lining member adapted to operate as a hinge member; thirteenth, to provide a toilet assembly having a compartment for storing a deflector member therein when said deflector is not in use; fourteenth, to provide a toilet housing having means for holding a cover member or a deflector member therein; and flfteenth, to provide a toilet with arm or hand rests having a shock absorbing covering thereon.

I attain these objects by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:- Figure 1 is a perspective view of the toilet in an open position; Fig. 2, a perspective view of the toilet in a closed position; Fig. 3, a sectional view of the toilet taken on the line 33, Fig. 2; Fig. 4, a side elevation'of the protective member for 40 the cover of the toilet; Fig. 5, a setional view of a portion of the toilet on the line iii-J, Fig. 1; Fig. 6, a side elevation of the deflector member; Fig. 7, a sectional view of the deflector member taken on the line l-l, Fig. 6, said sectional view 45 disclosing by dotted lines, the parts associated with said deflector member; Fig. 8, a sectional view of the deflector member in its compartment in the toilet, said sectional view being taken on the line 9-8, Fig. 1; Fig. 9, a side elevation of the 50 hinge'portion of one of the folding arms of the toilet; Fig. 10, a plan view of the hinge portion of the folding arm disclosed in Fig. 9; Fig. 11, a side elevation of one of the folding arms in its folded position; Fig. 12, a sectional view through 55 a portion of a compartment door and lining members therefor; and Fig. 18', a sectional view of one of the hinge members to disclose its cross sectional construction. f

Similar numerals refer to parts throughout. the several views:

The toilet assembly A is designed for use as a portable unit for use in travelling and also for use for invalids. Thetoilet assembly A may be constructed with the housing portion B which may be made, as disclosed, in the form of a small suit case which can be easily and securely carried in an inconspicuous way and can be easily and quickly made ready for use by opening the cover or lid of the case. 3

The toilet housing B may be made of wood, leather, wicker material, or any other'suitable material, said housing preferably being constructed of a light and sturdy material that will render the toilet assembly A easily handled or carried and at the time provide a secure support for the toilet seat and associated parts.

The housing B is constructed with the ,end walls I and 2, the side wall 3 and the bottom wall 4, the other side wall being formed by the walls of the compartment 5 as hereinafter disclosed, said walls being suitably and securely fastened together to provide a sturdy construction. The toilet housing B is provided with the upper wall portion 6 which is provided with the opening I extending therethrough and connecting with the chamber 8 inside of' the toilet housing B.' The shape of the opening I issuch that the vessel or pan 9 will assemble therein, the body of the vessel 9 extending into the chamber 8, the vessel 9 being provided with the flange Iii around its peripheral edge, the flange l0 fitting within the recess ll of the upper wall portion 8, the recess ll extending around the edge of the opening I, the flange Ill thus supporting the vessel 9 on the upper wall portion 6. The vessel 9 may be constructed with an elliptical shape or of any other desired shape, and said vessel may also be provided with an irregular portion l2 forming a spout or funnel'shaped extension to permit the contents of the vessel 9 to be easily poured or emptied therefrom, the flange ill being formed to extend around the edge of said irregular portion I! to form a continuous flange Ill around the entire periphery of the vessel 9.

The upper wall portion 6 may be provided with the recesses II to extend underthe flange l9 and connect with the opening 8.

The recesses l3 may be of suitable length to permit the fingers of the hand to be inserted under the flange I ii to permit the vessel and its contents to be easily lifted and removed from its supported position in the toilet assembly A. The recesses l3 may also be constructed, if desired, to extend under the flange l6 sufliciently only to permit room for a flnger hold on the flange II. the recesses l3 thus stopping short of the opening 3.

The edges of the recesses l3 will be rounded to prevent any injury to the hands.

The upper wall portion 6 is provided with the holes or' recesses l4, one of which is shown in section in Fig. 5. The holes l4 may be closed at their lower ends as shown or they may extend through the wall portion 6. The holes l4 are located in positions adjacent the peripheral edge of the flange ill of the vessel 3. The cover member I5 is constructed of suitable material such as rubber composition or similar material which may be secured between two surfaces to prevent liquids or gases from passing thereby. Also it is preferable to construct said cover member II of suitable material as will permit of ready cleansing and renovating without injury to same.

The cover member I! is provided with the extensions i 6 which are adapted to flt within the holes l4 of the upper wall portion 6 to locate the cover member in a flxed position relative to the vessel 9. The cover member l5 will extend' over the upper surface of the flange ill of the vessel 9 and also over portions of the upper surface of the wall portion 6 thus forming a cover to prevent any of the contents of the vessel 9 from splashing out against the surface I! of the cover I3 which is hinged at is to the toilet housing B. The cover 16 is provided with a portion 20, which may extend from the surface l1, and which is adapted to contact and clamp securely a portion of the cover member I! against the upper surface of the flange Iii of the vessel 3, the portion 26 of the cover l8 being located to extend in conformity with the general shape or contour of the flange ID, the portion 20 being of such a shape and cross section as will present no sharp corners or edges to injure a person leaning against the surface H, the portion 20 being joined to the surface I! by sufliciently curved surfaces to accomplish same.

When the cover I 8 is in its closed position, as shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 5, the portion 20 thereof will clamp the cover member l5 securely against the upper surface of the flange l0 of the vessel 9 and not only prevent any of the contents from splashing out of the vessel 9 but also will prevent any odors or gases from escaping therefrom, the clamping action of the portion 20 deforming the material of the cover member I! as a gasket member to provide an air tight seal around the flange Ill, the upper surface of said flange I 0 being constructed approximately level and smooth to aid in maintaining the air tight seal.

The cover l8 may be secured in its closed and sealing positions by suitable locking members indicated at 2| on the housing B and at 22 on the cover IS. The cover I 8 may be pivotally moved on the hinges I! to the open position, as disclosed in Fig. 1, in which position the cover l8 may be used as the back support of the toilet housing B when said housing is used as a chair, the cover 18 being limited to a predetermined position by the hinge members 23 and 24 which are preferably constructed of a section presenting no sharp edges in Order that said hinge members .23 and 24 may be used as hand or arm rests when said housing B is used as a chair. Also to facilitate the use of the members 23 and 24 as hand or arm rests, the central portion 26 of said members may be covered with rubber composition or similar material which will not only afford a shock cushioning means but also a more comfortable hand rest or grip means, said construction of said members being disclosed in the cross section of one of said members, Fig. 13.

The upper wall portion 6 of the housing B is constructed with cut away portions at each of its sides to form the ledges 26 which extend to the surfaces 21 which may be located at the required distance from the outside of the housing B to permit the members 23 and 24 to move to their folded positions, as disclosed in Figs. 3 and 11 in which positions the members 23 and 24 extend adjacent one another, one of said members extending adjacent the surface 21 and one of said members extending adjacent the inner surface of the flanges 26 which is suitably attached to the cover It, said flanges 26 extending to a position adjacent the ledges 21 to eifectually cover and hide from view, the members 23 and 24 when the cover It is in its closed position. It is to be noted that the flanges 26 should be'constructed with no sharp corners or edges to injure a person in using the toilet assembly B. The ledges26 extend for a portion only of the length of the sides of the housing B, the length of said ledges 26 being sumcient to receive there adjacent, the members 23 and 24 in their folded positions. Similarly the flanges 23 extend for a portion only of the length of the sides of the cover l3, the length of said flanges being sufllcient to flt within the length of ledges 26 and to effectually hide the members 23 and 24 from view when the cover' It is in its closed position in the toilet assembly A. The members 23 and 24 are pivotally connected by a rivet 29 or other suitable means while the member 24 is pivotally connected to the portion, of the housing B, adjacent the surface 21 by a pin 30 or other suitable means. The member 23 may be provided with the offset portion 3i and the flattened portion 32 for pivotally fastening said member 23 to the member 24, said member 24 being provided with a similar flattened portion 33, the flattened portions 32 and 33 and the offset portion 3! permitting the members 23 and 24 to move adjacent eachother to their folded positions as disclosed in Figs. 3 and 11.

Each of the members 23 is pivotally connected to one of the flanges 28 by a pin 34 or other suit able means. The member 24 is provided with the radial portion 35 which facilitates the movement of the member 23 from its upright position, as disclosed in Figs. 1 and 9, to its folded position, as disclosed in Figs. 3 and 11. Also the member 24 is provided with the extension portion 36 which is provided with the surface 31 which contacts with the surface of the ledge 26, when the members 23 and 24 are in their open or unfolded positions, as disclosed in Figs. 1 and 9, the extension portion 36 thus limiting the opening movements of the members 23 and 24 which in turn limits the opening movement of the cover I3 and provides means for supporting the cover It in a predetermined open position when a person uses the cover II as the back of a chair.

The housing B is provided with the compartment 5 which may be of suflicient length to accommodate the door 38 which is provided with the hinges 33, the door 33 thus being located so that it forms the outside wall of the housing B.

The inside wall of the compartment 5 is formed by the wall portion 40 which extends adjacent the wall of the vessel 3. The ends of the compartment may be formed by the end walls I and 2 of the housing B, the top wall of the compartment 5 may be formed by the upper wall portion 5 and the bottom wall of the compartment 5 may beformed by the bottom wall 4. The compartment 5 is provided with the lining 4| which is preferably constructed of water proof material such as rubber composition or of similar material, said lining thus permitting the compartment 5 to be used for the storage of the usual infants or invalids fabric or other materials when damp without injury to the housing B and without the inconvenience of carrying such materials separately. A portion of the lining 42 may be secured to the door 4 as disclosed in Figs. 3' and 12, the lining 42, which is secured to the door 4, extending under the lining 4| which is secured to the inside of the wall 4. Thus the lining 42 can movably operate with the door 4 due to the resilient material used for the lining, the

, lower portion 43, of the portion 42, forming a second hinged lining member that will effectually 4 prevent any leakage from the compartment 5 at its lower portion. Also the lower portion 43 of the lining 42 may be extended up the sides of the ends of the compartment 5 as indicated at 44, said portions 44 being attached to the inside wall surfaces of the ends of the compartment 5 at points adjacent the door 38 so that the lining may be stretched by the opening movement of the door 38 to form the portions 45, as disclosed by dotted lines in Fig. 1, when the door 38 is opened, the portions 45 effectually preventing any leakage from the compartment 5 past the ends of the door 38, the portions 45 tending to form hinge portions which may be utilized to tend to resiliently close the door or the portions 45. may be provided with folded or convoluted portions to maintain closed ends for the door when open without exerting any tendency to close the door. Also the portions 45 and the portions 43 may be carried to a partial portion of the height as shown or they may be extended to the upper wall portion 6. Also the lining 4| may be provided with the extension portion 46 which forms a resilient gasket member which resiliently contacts the upper portion of the door 38 in its 7 closed position to seal the door 38 at its upper side, as disclosed in Fig. 3, to further prevent any leakage from the compartment 5 even when the toilet assembly A is carried or handled in various positions. The door 38 may be provided with suitable locking means as indicated at4l and also with a handle means as indicated at 48. The toilet assembly A is provided with the handle 49 to permit the toilet assembly A to be easily handled and carried. 4

The deflector member 50, disclosed in Figs. 6 and 7, is provided for the use of male infants to prevent soiling or injury to the toilet assembly A or to the clothes of the infant, the deflector member 50 being so constructed asto provide the chamber or recess 5|, the walls 52 of the recess 5| being inclined and extended. on three of its sides to the curved wall portion 53 at their upper ends, the chamber 5| being open on its side T facing the vessel 9. The deflector member 50 is provided with the curved flange portion 53' which fits snugly into the irregular portion l2 of the vessel 9, the deflector member 50 being further provided with the extension portion 54 which fits into one of the recesses H in the upper wall portion 6 of the housing B, the recess |4 being used for this purpose being the one at the front of the toilet assembly B and adjacent the irregular portion l2 of the vessel 5. The dotted lines in Fig. 7, indicate the relative position of the vessel I and the deflector member 50 assembled therewith. The deflector member 50 is preferably made of resilient and liquid proof material such as rubber composition or similar material. The extension portion 54 together with the curved flange 53' will maintain the deflector member 50 in an upright stable position, the extension portion 54 fitting within the recess l4 in a similar manner to theextension l5 of the cover member I5. The housing B is provided with the recess 54' which is formed with the wall portions 55 which connect with the upper wall portion 6. The recess 54 is lined with a liquid proof lining 58 in a similar way to the compartment 5, the lining 56being provided with a flange portion 51 extending adjacent the edge of the recess and adiacent the upper surface of theupper wall portion 5. The closed lower end of the recess54' is provided with a curved shape to conform to the curved wall portion 53' of the deflector member 50 which is stored within the recess 54', as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 8, when said deflector member 55 is not in use as a deflector means.

It is to be noted that I have thus provided, in my invention, a toilet which is readily portable for the use of infants and invalids when travelling in automobiles, railways, etc.- where it is desired to provide a safe, sanitary, and inconspicuous unit for such purposes. The general external appearance of my invention may be that of a compact and attractive suit case while the general inside appearance may be that of a compact and efficient chair or seat unit, the inside appearance being readily adapted to be presented in dainty bathroom colors and designs which will appeal to the mothers of infants or those who are responsible for the care of invalids. The toilet assembly A is readily converted to its open position in which it is ready for use, by unfastening the cover I 8 and pivotally moving it on its hinges 19 to its maximum open position, as disclosed in Fig. 1, in which position the cover l8 will be automatically locked and supported by the members 23 and 24 as hereinabove described.

The cover member i5 is' readily removed and after the toilet ,has been used, the cover member I5 is replaced in position and the cover I8 is again. fastened in its closed position whereupon the toilet assembly Ais again ready for portable use without the necessity of emptying the vessel 9, said toilet assembly A being automatically closed to provide an air tight case from which the contents of the vessel 9 cannot leak and at the same time preventing any odors escaping therefrom. The use of the cover member f'l'5' insures the inside surface ll of the hingedcover i8 being always free and clean from any splash or soiling from the contents of the vessel 9 and permitting at all times the use of the cover l8 as a rest support without soiling or injury to the clothes of the infant or invalid. When the' toilet assembly A is cleaned at the end of the journey.

move to a fully'open and reclined position or suitable supports may be added to limit its movement to any desired open position. The cover i0 ably mounted resilient member 50' may be provided to tend to maintain the cover is in its open position to prevent accidental closure of the cover It.

It is also to be noted that the flange I! of the lining 88 may be slightly raised above the adjoining surface of the upper wall portion 8 to provide a gasket portion to be compressed by the cover I! when in its closed position to render the recess 54 air tight to prevent a v escape of 2 liquid or odors that may accumulate from storing the deflector member 50 inthe recess N", the compressing of the flange 51 being similar to that in which the cover member I! is compressed by the portion 20, the flange I1 being raised sufliciently above the surface of the upper wall portion 8 to-permit the cover It to contact said flange 51 sufficiently to render the recess or chamber 54' air tight without providing another extension portion, similar to 20, thus preserving a more balanced appearance of the cover is.

I claim:

1. In a toilet provided with a vessel having a flange around its periphery, the combination of a housing provided with a chamber having an opening in one of its sides, said housing being provided with a recess for receiving the flange of said vessel, said housing being provided with recesses adjacent the flange of said vessel to permit the insertion of a portion of a hand of a person therein to lift said vessel, said housing being further provided with a plurality of recesses, a flexible cover member provided with extension portions fltting in the recesses of the housing, said cover member extending over the vessel, said cover member contacting the flange of said vessel, a cover hinged on said housing, said cover being provided with an extension portion for compressing said flexible .cover member against the flange of said vessel when said cover is in its closed position, and hinge members connected to said cover and said housing, said hinge members being foldable below the upper surface of said housing, said hinge members being adapted for use as arm rests.

2. In a toilet, the combination of a vessel having an open side and provided with an irregular portion forming a spout together with a flange extending around said vessel and its spout, a housing provided with an opening for receiving the vessel together with its irregular portion forming a spout, said housing being further provided with a depression provided with a depressed surface having a shoulder having a heighth substantially equal to the thickness of said flange of said vessel, a resilient member covering the open side of said vessel, said resilient member extending over the flange of said vessel and over the shoulder of said depressed surface of said housing, and cover means for closing the housing and maintaining said vessel in its assembled position in said housing.

3. In a toilet, the combination of a housing provided with an opening, a vessel extending through said opening and provided with a flange engaging the edge portions of the opening of said housing, a resilient member covering said vessel, and a cover member suitably mounted and provided with a p rtion, having a similar shape tothat of the flange of said vessel, for compressing said resilient member into contact with the flange sel, said means being provided with a plurality of recesses closed at one of their ends and adjacent said vessel, 9. cover member provided with a plurality of projections engaging the closed recesses of said means to flx said cover member in its assembled position, said cover member extending across and contacting the upper surface of said vessel adjacent its periphery to fully close the open side of said vessel, and a second cover suitably mounted and adapted to engage said first mentioned cover member only at points adjacent the open side of said vessel.

5. In a toilet; the combination of a housing, an open vessel supported adjacent its open side in said housing, a cover pivotally supported on said housing and provided with an embossed portion, and a removably mounted flexible member interposed between the open side of said vessel and said cover to close the open side of said vessel, said flexible member being contacted by the embossed portion of said cover.

6. In a toilet, the combination of a housing, a vessel mounted in said housing, a resilient member covering said vessel, and a cover member provided with a raised portion for engaging said resilient member solely at points adjacent the edge of said vessel to cause said cover member to concentrate pressure for compressing said resilient member against said vessel.

7. In a toilet, the combination of ahousing, a vessel mounted in said housing, a resilient member closing said vessel, and a member covering and engaging said resilient member, said last mentioned member being provided with a projecting portion extending longitudinally in a path conforming substantially to the shape of said vessel for concentrating pressure to force said resilient member into engagement with said vessel.

8. Ina toilet, the combination of a housing provided with a chamber provided with a wall portion having an opening therein, a vessel extending through said opening and having a peripheral flange for supporting said vessel on said housing, a flexible cover member covering and closing said vessel. and a second cover member provided with an embossed portion having a shape conforming substantially to the peripheral flange of said vessel and adapted to contact and compress said flexible cover member against the peripheral flange of said vessel.

9. In a toilet, the combination of a housing having a wall portion provided with an opening therethrough, said wall portion being further provided with a plurality of holes therein, an open vessel extending through the opening of said wall provided with a supporting wall portion, a vessel having an open side and mounted on and extending through the supporting wall portion of said housing, a cover member pivotally mounted on said housing and provided with an embossed rib portion, and a gasket member interposed between said vessel and said cover member to close said vessel and to prevent the contents of said vessel from contacting said cover member, said gasket member having its central portion extending across the open side of said vessel, said gasket member having an area equal to or exceeding the projected area of the uppermost portion of said vessel, said gasket member being contacted by said embossed rib portion of said cover member pivotally mounted on said housing.

11. In a toilet, the combination of a vessel provided with an open side together with a flange porting said vessel, the uppermost surfaces of said wall portion and said flange being substantially flush with one another, a cover member pivotally mounted on said housing and provided with a relatively narrow embossed portion of substantially the same shape as the flange of said vessel, and a flexible member extending between said vessel and said cover member to cover the total area of said open side of said vessel and said flange to close said vessel to prevent the contents of said vessel from contacting said cover member, said flexible member being forced to engage the flange of said vessel by said embossed portion of said cover member with a maximum pressure.

CATHERINE T. GIBLET'I'E.

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