US2527270A - Combination flush-type toilet and bedpan - Google Patents

Description

Oct.. 24, 1950 Filed Aug. 18, 1947 lil; v

l. L EvlN 2,527,270

COMBINATION FLUSH-TYPE TOILET AND BEDPAN 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 if 24, 1950 l. I EvlN COMBINATION FLUSH-TYPE TOILET AND BEDPAN 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 18, 194'? /sadore Lev/h BJ' @www maf Oct. Z4, 1950 l, LEVIN COMBINATION FLUSH-TYPE TOILET AND BEDPAN 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 18, 194'? I n L'entor /sadore L ewn f f f 1'/ all.'

A ttorney Patented Oct. 24, 1795() DPAN Isadore Levin, Washington, D. C. Application August 18, 1947, lSerial N0. 769,242

17 claims. (c1. 4-1o) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in portable flush-type water closets and appertains, more particularly, to a multiple purpose toilet and/or bedpan which is primarily adapted to practical bedside usefulness in hospitals, clinics, sick rooms and the like in a manner to aptly and satisfactorily accommodate bedridden, convalescing and other patients who are called upon to use a toilet, bedpan, or both.

An outstanding object of the invention is to structurally, functionally and otherwise vimprove upon prior art structures having to do with combined toilet and bedpan structures equipped with flush-type plumbing facilities, the same being characterized by a basin-like bowl or, alternatively, ilush-type bedpan, and supporting means which is freely shiftable'ffrom place to place in a room so that the Vlatter may be utilized at selected points of vantage, said bowl being liftable and lowerable while on the supporting means, whereby to permit same to assume predetermined horizontal low and high positions for selective and serviceable use as (A) a regular toilet, on the one hand, and (B) Va bedpan on the other hand. More explicitly, the invention has'to do with a dual purpose construction which embodies a rollable bodily shiftablebbase, a perpendicularly raisable and lowerable bowl supported for use on said base, a ilush valve equipped conduit for supplying water under pressure to said"bowl, said conduit being elongated and flexible in form and operatively connected with the bowl and a source of water supply, a second conduit also connected to the bowl at one end and connected at its opposite end, directly or indirectly, to a waste or soil pipe, said second'conduit being elongated and flexible and bothV of the 4conduits being of substantiallengths and adapted to trail and accommodate Vthe vvariable positions of the bowl in a manner to permit said bowl to be freely shifted about from placel to place in the room and employed Where wanted, said base, in its preferred form, including a toilet high stand and bed-high upright means allowing the bowl torbe moved toward and from the stand, whereby to permit said bowl to be elevated and lowered to predetermined horizontal low and high positions for selective use as a regular toilet on the one hand and a bedpan on the other hand.

More importantly, in reducing to practice-the various phases of the instantf invention, fI contemplate the adoption'an'd use of aflush-type dual purpose bedpan or'toilet with special adaplll tations and refinements which, individually and collectively, constitute distinct improvements on the portable flush-type bed-toilet which is shown, .described and claimed in Patent 2,428,462, granted-to me under date of October '7, 1947.

`Briey, the dual purpose flush-type bed-toilet disclosed in said patent is characterized by portable supporting means', a raisable and lowerable so-called commode bowl, said bowl being of elongated ovate form and having a marginal opening forellluent passage of fecal matter and iiush water, being further provided with an inturned overhanging water receiving, circulating and distributive flush rim, said flush rim having pressure water issuing ports or passages which are scientifically `located to'concentrate and direct the force of the water jets toward and throughvthe discharge, a conduit connected with and for supplying water under flushing pressure to said rim, said conduit being of elongated flexible formand thus adapted to be operatively connected Vto a conventional source of water supply. A second conduit is also operatively connected at its intake end to said discharge opening vand the opposite end is adapted for operative drainage communication with waste means, said'secondconduit' also being flexible, both of said conduits beingy of substantial lengths to permit nietos/1 to be lifted freely and bodily shifted about from place to place. Additional means is provided on the supporting means which permit the bowl to be readily raised and positioned, as a bedpan, over a bed, or lowered and used in the latter position as a regular toilet.

In carrying out the principles of the present invention the protruding trap, which is built into and fforms an integral part of the bowl in the statedY patent, is eliminated and the waste disposal hose is connected with trap means, on the flooribelow ,said lloor or elsewhere which, in turn, is connected with a soil pipe.

Al further object of the invention is to lighten the weightof the bowl by removing therefrom the weighty and cumbersome ilush valve and trap means, the flush water supply hose being connected directly withthe bowl at one end, and connected ati its oppositedelivery end with an improved iiush valve which is at a vdistance from the -bowl and'is rigidly mounted on the room wall or an equivalent supporting surface.

`A further object "of the invention is to provide a' wall pipe connectionjbetween the wall supported flush valve means 4and the trap on the 55 flo'or in amanner to assist the operation of the trap and to insure the presence of an effective water seal at all times.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide stationary ush valve and stationary trap means properly communicating with a shiftable bowl by way of flexible contractible and extensible hose lines, there being a remote control cord provided which has a conveniently located finger ring situated immediately on the bowl for satisfactory and ready usage by the user of the bowl.

In addition, it is an object of the invention to provide a bowl having a special top construction which includes, as a part thereof, a rotatably and removably mounted annulus forming a seat when used as a flush-type bedpan, this having an upstanding shield at one end employable as an antisplash guard to reduce likelihood of soiling user or bedclothes, said annulus having a handle and being turnable so that the shield may be placed ateither end and so that the bowl may be conveniently used between parallel beds and by the occupant of either bed.

"Then too, novelty is predicated upon a special top construction for the bowlv which includes a portion constituting a hood, this overhanging the discharge opening 4and serving to concentrate the outgoing waste, to subdue the turbulent flush water at this point, to minimize the possibilities of splashing the patient and to facilitate breaking up fecal matter so that it is reduced to readily dischargeable form.

. In addition to the foregoing, another object of the' invention is to provide novel and improved hose means wherein, preferably, both hose lines are built into a unitary arrangement and wherein said hose lines are of accordion-like form, are extensible and contractible and areprovided with embedded retraction elements so that when the bowl is down the hose lines -automatically recoil and shorten, and when the bowl is up they are stretched and conveniently lengthened to meet requirements.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a portable stand-like rack or base which is provided on-one longitudinal side, of the bowl with special devices which serve rto hold a regular toilet seat` in readiness for optional use, the means being such that the seat is normally positioned in an out-of-the-way position but is susceptible of being lifted and swung to take a horizontal position over the seating annulus on said bowl.

Reverting to my previously named patent and with further reference to the aforementioned stripping the bowl of the stated flush valve and trap facilities, one other important thing which I strive to accomplish here is satisfactory ways and means which will effectively flush and empty the bowl (or bedpan as it is alternatively described) Therefore, an objective of paramount importance is to provide a unique flush rim whose passages (ports or nipples or both) are'scientically grouped and divisible into reasonably definite arrangements hereinafter identifiable as main and auxiliary batteries. More important, however, is the fact that we are dealing here with a shallow bowl or bedpan and that the discharge forwater and fecal matter is at the narrowed end substantially in a plane with the floor of the bowl. There must not bea swirling of waterjets and, by all means, there must not be turbulous and goyser spiralling for then the patient wouldbe uncomfortably splashed. Consequently, it is an object of this invention to have the main battery,-

opposite to the discharge end, to shoot the jets against the end wall surface or splash-board" and to thus baiile and blend same into a sheetlike main stream which first sweeps down from said flush rim to the bottom and then follows the contour of the floor of said bottom straight to the discharge opening; and, simultaneously to progressively cant the passages of the auxiliary batteries so that the jets therefrom play upon forward and rearward wall and basin areas but arc projected essentially toward said discharge opening, whereby three streams, one central and two side streams, forcibly empty the bowl, cleanse it thoroughly and, what is more important, avoid criss-crossing and turbulent splashing.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the drawings, wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the views:

Figure 1 is a complete assembly view showing the supporting means, the bowl in raised position in full lines over a mattress, in lowered position in dotted lines and further illustrating the remote controlled stationary flush valve means on the wall, and stationary trap on the floor.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the bowl showing the manner in which the conventional type toilet seat is employed whenever necessary or desired.

Figure 3 is also a top plan view of the bowl, showing the toilet seat racked in an out-of-theway position and illustrating the built-in seat annulus, forming a selectively adjustable part of the top of said bowl.

Figures 4 and 5 are views taken on the lines 4-4 and 5-5 respectively of Figure 3, looking in the direction of the indicating arrows.

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view on the line 6 6 of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a top plan view of the bowl proper with the top removed.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary sectional view through the flushing rim, this taken on the line 8-8 of Figure 7.

Figure 8a is a similar view showing the rim with apertures instead of nipples.

Figure 9 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view on the line 9--9 of Figure 3.

Figure 10 is a top plan view of the portable support with all of the parts removed for clearness of illustration.

Figure 11 is a view showing a modified form of supporting base.

Figure 12 is a longitudinal or horizontal sectional view taken through the bowl, looking up, and showing a modified type of flush rim construction.

Figure 13 is a fragmentary sectional view through a portion of the double hose constru-ction.

Figure 14 is a cross sectional View on the line lll-I4 of Figure 13.

'Figure 15 is a Kperspective View of the spring core means which is built into the waste hose, and which on a smaller scale, is also built into the smaller supply hose.

By way of introduction to the following detailed description, I deem it signicant to say that an important aspect of the overall invention has to do with a bedside flush-type bedpan construction which is characterized by portable supporting means and a raisable and lowerable bowl carried by said supporting means. The bottom of the bowl is substantially fiat, free of obstructions and depressions on its interior and is provided with a discharge opening through which flush water and waste matter empties. It is further provided with a water receiving, circulating and distributing channel which is distinct in that it is Vprovided with water-issuing ports located' in. a predetermined manner to aim and direct all water jets issuing from said ports toward and through the discharge opening in order that crisscrossingand splashing of water streams in the main basin portion of the bowl is prevented. Extensible and retractible conduit means is connected with and delivers water under pressure to the stated channel and, in addition, extensible and retractible conduit means is also connected with the discharge opening in a manner to properly empty the bowl.

Attention is rst directed to Figure l wherein it will be seen that the mobile or portable support or base is denoted by the numeral I1. This comprises a horizontal tubular base frame I8 'provided with appropriate casters I9 and reinforced by a cross member 20. Attached -to and arising from one end portion of the base frame are spaced parallel tubular uprights 2| and connected to these in spaced parallel relation above the frame I8 is an elevated similarly shaped frame 22. Vertical connecting members 23 serve to connect the two frames I8 and 22 together and the frame 22 has a cross brace 24. Reference being had to Figure 5, I call attention to perpendicularly Vdisposed channel-like guides 25 connected as at 26 and 21 to said frames I8 and 22.

These are provided with outstanding arms 28 (see Figures 1 and l0) which arms terminate in hooks 29 whereby to provide suitable racking means for an optionally usable conventional-type toilet seat 30. The toilet seat is provided with attaching members 3| (see Figures 5 and 6) which project into the respective channels and these are provided with guiding and keying rollers 32. The rollers run up and down in channelways and permit the seat to normally take an out-of-the-way vertical position as shown in full lines in Figure or to assume a horizontally usable `position as shown in dotted lines in the same gure. The numeral 33 merely designates cushioning or bumper springs in the lower end portions of the guides which assist in conveniently dropping the toilet seat down to take the out-of-the-way position shown.

The improved bowl is denoted, as a unitary device, by the numeral 34, the same being of appropriate size and materials. The bowl 4proper is ovate or egg-shaped in top plan View as shown in Figure '7, is relatively sh-allow on the inner or left hand side and has an outwardly and downwardly inclined bottom 35 which shunts the ilush water and fecal matter for convenient drainage through the discharge opening 36 and its associated nipple or neck 3T. Said bowl is provided with an endless flush water receiving, circulating and distributing rim 38 (see Figure 4) water being fed into same by way of the short neck or nipple 39. This rim is provided with a plurality of properly spaced circumferentially arranged water jetting nipples 4|). These nipples are angularly positioned in relation to the entire internal surfaces of the bowl and also in relation to the discharge opening 36. Thus, the nipples are spacedly located and coordinate in a manner that all` jets forcibly spouting therefrom are individually aimed to concentrate and merge for ejection through said discharge opening, this in such a manner that none of said jets intermingle or cross each other vicinity of the discharge opening, whereby to thus prevent the user from being splashed and sprayed' while, at the same time serving toV effectively scavenge, scour: and cleanse'theilushed surface of .said bowl. This flush vrim and nipple-arrangement is of. cardinal importance since the bowl must of `necessity be shallow but nevertheless suf cient to be self-cleansing and such that swirling water currents willbe reduced to a minimum to avoid needless splashing of the user. Also as shown in Figure 4 the top or cover portion of the bowl, denoted at 4| is of the shape shown in Figure 2. It has an opening 42this of general oval shape, said opening being denoted by an internally stepped ledge 43. A ring-like frame 44 isi-.fastened to the ledge meansisee FigureiQ) and serves to accommodate a mount 45 for the patient seating. annulus 46. The annulushas'its inner peripheral edge depressed and 'shaped 'as at 4l to comfortably seat the patient. At one vend is an upstanding anti-splash shield 48. The annulus is hingedly mounted -on one side as at 49 to permit same to be swung open when one desires to .urinate into the bowl-from arstanding position.' An appropriate ldetent orlatch-58 is provided opposite-the hinge and this snaps down into appropriate keeper means to keep the annulus closed. A hand grip is provided at 5| (see Figure 9) to facilitate opening and closing the annulus in lid-like fashion', also for turning the annulus around through a half-circle in relation to the pan proper. This makes it possible to use the bowl or panbetween beds and to swing the seat annulus 46 around. so that'the-shield is either on the left or right side as the case may be. The top alsov includes a portion, adjacent the `discharge which constitutes an overhanging hood 52 and further includes adapter extensions 53 which are properly arranged and apertured to slidably mount the bowl on the aforementioned upright 2| as shown in Figure l. Thus, the bowl may be lowered to the dotted line position where it sits on the frame 22 for use as a regular toilet; or,

may be elevated to the fullline position over the' mattress A 4when employed as al bedpan. Also, as it has already been pointed'out, the seat 30 and the rack may be employed in conjunction with the seating annulus 46, or not. `The seat 3|]- is usable only when the bowl is in a down or toilet height position on the frame 22. If instead of using the nipples 40 one prefers it, said nipples may be dispensed with and ports or apertures54 may be provided in the flushing rim as shown inV Figure 8a. In this modication, however, the apertures 54 take the same angular relationship and positioned as theV nipples 48 seen in Figure 4.

A further modification of the flushing rim is s eeny in FigureV 12'wherein instead of the apertures 54,

I provide an arcuatev or elongated slot 55V 'ofgeneral horseshoe-shaped formation. In this arrangement supplemental nipples 56-are used in conjunction therewith andare properly angled and aimed toward the-discharge'opening,

As shown in Figure la relatively small flexible hose line, of appropriate lengthis attached to the neck 38 for purposes of supplyingwater, under pressure, to the bowl. This is connected to and forms a part of a special dualhose unit 58 which unit, generally speaking, 4is flexible, and eX- tensible and contractible. Said unit also includes a larger hose (to be later detailed) and this is for disposal of waste matter and is'operatively connected at its intake and with the neckv 3l. At its discharge end it is'connectcd-witha suitably vmounted trap 68 which, shown in the drawings, is mounted on the fioor and attached to a waste-.or soil pipe 8|. Placing the trap on (or below, if desired)v the floor is a highly important feature of the invention and :obviates the necessity of having a trap built into the bowl itself. It is to be pointed out, however, that the trap 60 is here purely illustrative and may, as a matter of fact, be a part of a regular toilet or hopper (not shown). In other words, the discharge end of the larger hose may be connected by Way of said toilet to the soil pipe. A highly flexible hose line 52 affords a connection between the unit 58 and a water supply pipe 63. Said water supply pipe is attached to and depends from an appropriate remote control flush valve 64 mounted on the wall or any other part of the room. The flush valve is conventional and is not shown in detail, but under all conditions will be installed at an elevation higher than any ordinary hospital bed to comply with plumbing regulations. The controlling lever 65 thereof is operated by a pull cord 66 which is `trained through a plurality of guide eyes 61, suitably arranged and then passed through an appropriate guide 68 on top of the bowl whereiit terminates in a nger ring 18 conveniently located to be grasped and pulled by the user. Thus, by pulling the cord 66 flush Water is fed through the valve 64, down through the pipe 63, through the hose 62 and through the special double conduit means 58 into the small hose then into the bowl, or rather the ush rim of said bowl. A small pilot pipe 1I connects with the flush water 'pipe 63 and also connects as at 12 with the trap for additionally supplying water into the trap to facilitate the operation of the trap and also to insure the presence therein, at all times, of an effective water seal. 'Ihe presence of this extra water supply pilot pipe 1| is highly advantageous as it insures effective operation of the trap. The extensible and contractible conduit means, embodying separate but coacting hose lines, is shown to advantage in Figure 13, wherein it will be seen that the larger hose 13 has a built-in spring core for extension and retraction purposes. The inner lining is smooth and highly elastic as at 14. The smaller hose 15 is also extensible and retractible and is provided with a built-in spring core assembly. The employment of an outside bellows-like wrapping 16 serves to bind the hose 13 and 15 together and allows for ready lengthening and shortening, as is obvious. The rings forming part of the core means (for each hose) are denoted by the numerals11 and are connected together by expanding and contracting springs 18. When the bowl is down the conduit means 58 automatically contracts and shortens and when the bowl is up said conduit means extendsits length to accommodate the elevated position of said bowl. I do not desire to be restricted to the precise construction ofthe conduit means as jdescribed but desire to cover the idea of flexible trailing hose means between the bowl and trap and ush valve supply which hasthe flexible and self accommodating properties herein covered.

In Figure 11, instead of using a stand or base of the type described I contemplate the use of a simple platform base 19 with caster Wheels 86, said platform carrying an appropriate riser 8| with an inclined top portion 82 constituting an appropriate seat forthe bowl. Here the bowl simply sits on'the riser when used as a toilet and when employed as a bedpan is bodily lifted from theA base and carried by hand and placed over (lll 8 the mattress M of the bed, in an obvious manner. The purpose here is to eliminate a direct mechanical connection between the bowl and base or supporting means.

Reference being had to Figure 4, it will be noted that I provide a boss or mound 83 andsituate same across the mouth of the discharge 36 and this functions primarily as a dam, whereby the final gush of flushv Water is retained and forms a small and shallow pool 84. The latter, in turn, wets the bowl sufficiently that sticking 0f adhesive waste material is virtually eliminated. What is more, since said dam bridges the discharge 36 and is beneath the hood 52, it contributes to the effectiveness of the concentrating and funnelling pocket to baffle and swishswash the entrapped mass into forceful Whirlpool, thus disintegrating lumps into readily dischargeable particles. However the turbulent action is free from any tendency to backlash into the basin proper. In a side discharging shallow bowl such a non-clogging result is manifestly desirable, to say the least.

Before taking up other features and advantages and the claims, I call attention to Figure '7, for it is believed that, in addition to the overall combination aspects of the invention, novelty has to do with the aforementioned flush rim construction characterized by the three distinguishable groups of jets with the latter categorized as main and auxiliary batteries. It is felt that I have evolved and produced a unique flush pan of the type shown in Figure 7, with or without the lidding cover shown in Figure 4. Or, to putl it more specifically, novelty is, obviously, predicated upon the pan of Figure '7 which, as mentioned, is substantially ovate in top plan and is integrated with the iiush rim and is comparatively shallow and has a bottom which slants from the left to the right and deepens the righthand end of the pan. More particularly, the left-hand transverse end of the pan, sometimes called the inner end when the device is used as a bedpan, is denoted by the numeral 85 and the diametrically opposite or outer transverse end portion isdenoted at 86. Now, since this pan in its lengthwise direction reaches over the top of the bed mattress, as shown in the drawings in Figure 1, and the patient lays across the pan, the edge portion of the rim identied at 81 may be referred to as the rearward flush rim reach or portion while the opposed'and corresponding part of the rim denoted at 88 may be said to be the front reach or side of said ush rim.

The transverse end portion 85 denes an arc and in this arc are the radial discharge passages or nipples 40. at Figure 8, I call attention to the fact that all of these nozzles or nipples 48 have their orifices so located that the water jets issue against the surface 89 (Figures 1, 4, 'l and 8) which forms a sort of a', splash-board. Therefore, instead of aiming or pointing these nipples into the basin portion, they shoot their streams against the splash-board 89. The jets intermingle and form a spread sheet which flushes or sweeps down the curvate surface of the pan and the number of nipples in this battery, made up of those denoted at 40, determines the width of the main centralized outgoing stream A.. The currents of this stream converge and rush out through the unobstructed discharge opening 3S. The collateral side streams denoted at B and C in Figure 7 ings infer.

Looking at Figure '7, and again the curvate contours of the side portions of the pan, somewhat as diagrammatically illustrated. To assist in imaginatively delineating the three streams A, B and C, the nipples which deliver streams B and C are denoted by the numerals 90 and 9|. That is to say, thenipples on the rearward longitudinal side of the flush rim are denoted at 90 and the ones on the other or forward side are denoted by the numerals 9|. The relative positions of the opposed nipples in these two groups or batteries are approximately the same. That is to say, all of these nipples 90 and 9| are at different angles in respect to each other, as are the nipples 40, but are directed so that the issuing jets impinge or strike against the longitudinal side Walls and the streams follow the contours thus existing. Primarily, however, the orices of these nipples are aimed toward the discharge opening so that the streams are essentially projected toward the discharge opening 36. The main idea, however, is to note that the nipples 90 and 9| do not shoot cross- Wise into the currents which go to make up the somewhat V-shaped main stream A. This stream A follows the contour of the pan and does the principal flushing work. The other two streams B and C primarily scavenge and cleanse the surfaces of the pan, particularly beneath the longitudinal side portions of the flush rim. By preventing criss crossing of the several streams and thus harmonizing same, there is no likelihood that the occupant of the pan will be inconveniently or uncomfortably splashed.

It is further to be added that the discharge portions of the respective streams A, B and C merge and come together at the narrow discharge end of the bowl but where this turbulous converging is initiated, the resultant swirl lof water is confined lbeneath the anti-splash hood 52. Thus, I emphasize that there is absolutely no splashing of waterl in the uncovered basin portion of the bedpan. Y

It is a matter of common knowledge that the use of bedpans in hospitals is one of the many of obnoxious problems met by doctors, nurses and attendants, and yet facilities have not, as yet, been provided, to my knowledge, whereby the attendants can be geared to handle the situations with the requisite sense of proportion and nicety. The vital functions of patients, especially those who are motivated by a sense of agitated embarrassment, are elementary factors, but are nevertheless highly important to all concerned to avoid the inconveniences suffered by those who meet and try in vain to cope with them, I have considered it the part of wisdom to openly approach this subject of somewhat singular silence which is, apparently, a non-controversial subject due to the disturbed attitudes of all who are confronted by it. Thus, I have evolved a portable water closet which can be moved from place to place in a room,` shoved beneath the bed when not in use, placed alongside the bed or elsewhere in the room when desired for use Yas a regular toilet, as seen in Figurev 1, or shifted around and brought into place and employed as an elevated toilet or so-called flush-type bedpan when employed in the position also illustrated in Figure l of the drawings.

Considering the anxieties ofthe patientsand the serenity which attends a convertible, portyable, multi-purpose toilet of this type, I believe that it is of incalculable service. However, -it Vis not the purpose of the present patent application to dwell upon commercial aspects or to. cover the obvious needs and purposes of a structure of this character. .l

My carriage-supported dual purpose water closet will aptly fuliill the generall` requirements of a long needed bedside toilet and/or bedpan in an o-bvious and acceptable manner. `It can be readily wheeled about and carted fromv placeV to place, shoved beneath the bed or intov acloset to be out of the way, can be maneuvered and employed between beds, utilized Valongside the bed, and what is more important, can be Wheeled into position near the bed, after which the patient can swing and bring it-into use and thereafter push it out of the way, as conditions require. In other words, due to the mobilitT of the carriage and the flexible accommodation possibilities of the hose connections, it lends itselfY admirably well to serve the patient andrelieve nurses and attendants of what would otherwise bel endless and disconcerting chores.-

It is to be recalled, at this stage, that although the trap is shown as mounted on the floor and above the level of the Hoor, it is within thepurview of the inventionl to install the trap below the door. And, as to the flush valve structrre, this is, as .a general rule, mounted on a vertical wall and is situated in an elevation that it is well above the level of the hospital bed. Hospital beds are higher than ordinary beds but it Will be `my purpose to make sure that the flush valve is on a plane above the highest types of beds. The depending rigid pipe will serve to reach down close to the iloor in order to best accommodate the hose means, The bowl is rintended to be readily applicable and removable and, in being detachable, it lends itself to convenient cleansing and sterilization. The small and large hose may be separate and bound together 4by a wrapping creasing as shown, or under certain conditions may be integrated and. formed into a flexible unit with independent passages. l n Y I desire to stress that phase of the invention which I consider to be an innovation, that is, the

readyY availability ofthe device in that it can be moved toward and from the bed at the proper elevation, swung over the bed andvused, then swung out ofthe way and shifted to a place Where it will be positioned when not needed for use.

Changes in shape, size, materials and rearrangement of details and parts may lbe resorted to in actual practice, so long as they do not depart from the spirit of `the invention or the scope of the appended claims, as is well understood. f 1

Having described theY invention, what is claimed as new is: i

1. In a flush-type bed-toilet construction` of the class described, supporting means, a raisable land lowerable iiush pan, said pan being provided with a marginal discharge opening for eliluent passage of fecal matter and-ilush Vvvate'nsaid pan being further'providedwith an Ainternal water receiving, circulating and pan-flushing rim, said rim having ilush water issuing ports located to concentrate each and all water jets toward said discharge opening, a relatively small conduit directly connectedY with and for supplying Water under flushing pressure to 4said rim, said conduit'v` being of elongated flexible formv and adapted to be connected at its intakefen-d with a flush valve equipped pipe line independent' of and remote from said flush pan, a second relatively larger conduitoperatively connected at its intake end to said discharge opening, trap means also independent of and remote from said pan and adapted for connection with a waste pipe, said second conduit being iiexi-ble and connected at its outlet end with said trap means, and means for supporting said flush pan attached to said supporting means, said pan being thereby permitted, through the collective functions of said means, to be readily raised and positioned, as .a bedpan, over a bed or lowered, fixedly supported, and used in the latter position as a regular toilet.

2. In a Hush-type toilet of the class described, in combination, a trap positioned :adjacent the floor level adapted to be connected with a waste pipe of a conventional type, a remote controlled flush valve adapted to be communicatively connected with a conventional source of water supply, said ush valve being provided with a vertically depending supply pipe terminating on a plane adjacent the floor lever, a portable flushtype bedpan, an elongated flexible supply hose connected at one end with said bedpan, said hose being connected at its opposite end with the lower end of said supply pipe, a relatively larger hose, said bedpan having a discharge opening, said latter hose being connected with said discharge opening at one end and being connected, at its opposite end, with said trap, said flush valve being independent of said bedpan and disposed on a plane well above the highest usable position of said bedpan.

3. As a new article of manufacture, a commode bowl for use in a flush-type toilet of the class described comprising a relatively shallow bowl having a discharge opening to accommodate a hose adapted to lead to a soil pipe, also having an intake opening adapted to accommodate a hose leading from a source of water supply, the top of said bowl being provided with removable seating means including an upstanding shield and said means being rotatably mounted to dispose the shield at such location as is desired according to varying requirements of use.

4. As a new article of manufacture and as a component part of the structure of the class described, a relatively shallow commode bowl having seat means and also including a water receiving and circulating interiorly disposed rim, said rim being provided with jet feeding nipples, all of said nipples being coordinated and situated and radially and angularly directed so that the water jets issuing therefrom will be concentrated and directed toward one focal point, said bowl at said focal point being provided `with a hooded discharge opening, whereby the water jets are directed toward said hooded discharge opening and at the same time, are forcibly directed toward and against all internal surfaces of the bowl to insure proper cleansing of said internal surfaces while, at the same time minimizing, if not preventing, cross currents or inter\ mingling jets of water until about to be expelled beneath said hood by'way of said discharge opening.

5. A portable flush-type bedpan comprising a relatively shallow flushable pan -having a bottom, top, and marginal side Walls, one side wall having an unobstructed discharge opening for waste water and fecal matter, said top having an imperforate portion overhanging said discharge opening and defining a waste concentrating pocket and an anti-splash hood, said top also embodying a iiush water receiving, circulating and distributing flush rim, said bottom being free of obstructions, interiorly smooth and gradually inclining toward said discharge opening and progressively increasing the depth of said pocket, said rim 'having circumferentially distributed flush water passages, all of which are precision located "and definitely aimed, and angularly pitched in,l respect to the adjacent coacting interior surfaces o f said bottom and side walls and lhood so that criss-crossing and turbulentsplashing of jets, in the main basin portion of the pan, is prevented, a conduit connected with said flush rim and `adapted to deliver water, under flushing pressure, from a source to said flush rim, and a second conduit connected at its intake end to said discharge opening and adapted for connectionat its opposite end, to a trap-equipped soil pipe.

6. A portable `flush-type bedpan comprising a relatively shallow flushable pan, and having a bottom, top, andmarginal side walls, one side wall having a freely ,open discharge opening for waste water and fecal matter, said top having an imperforate portion overhanging said discharge opening and defining a `waste concentrating and disintegrating pocket and .an anti-splash hood, said top also embodying a flush water receiving, circulating and distributing fiush rim, said bottom being substantially free of obstructions, interiorly smooth and inclining toward said discharge opening and gradually increasing the depth of the adjacent pocket, saidirim having circumferentially distributed ush water passages, all of which are located at predetermined points and precisely aimed and angled in respect to each other and the complemental interior surface of said bottom and side walls so that each water jet is distinctly focused, except within the confines of said pocket, 'so that criss-crossing and splashing of jets, in the main basin portion of the pan, is virtually eliminated, a remote controlled flush valve ladapted to be-iixedlysupported and connected to a water supply pipe, a flexible water supply hose connected at one end ywith said rim and at its opposite end with said flush valve, a flexible manually operable trip element connected with said flush valve and having lits operating end mounted for use on said bedpan, a stationary trap also remote from said pan,and a exible waste disposal hose connected at one end ywith said trap and at its opposite end with the discharge opening.

'7 As a new article of manufacture, a comparatively shallow ovate bedpan having a dished bottom, an inturned overhanging annular flush rim and, being narrowed at one end and provided at said one end with an unobstructed discharge opening approximately in a plane with the adjacent floor portion of said bottom, said flush rim having circumferentially distributed flush water passages; there being three distinguishable batteries of passages; namely, a main battery of passages distributively located at the end of the ush rim opposite to said narrowed discharge end, and two auxiliary batteries of passages, the latter :confined respectively to the longitudinal forward and rearward side portions of said flush rim,'the discharge orifices of the passages constituting said main battery being directed outwardly and away from said discharge opening and thus focused to cause the issuing jets to impinge against the immediately coacting interior surfaces beneath said ush rim, and the orifices of the passages constituting said auxiliary batteries being angularly directed and focused to cause the issuing jets to impinge against and to follow the contoured surfaces leadingdirectly 4toward said discharge opening, whereby to delineate and forcibly deliver three distinct outgoingwater streams, a main centralized stream and two collateral side streams,'to said discharge opening, said streams being suflicientlyisolated onefrom the other-to prevent turbulent crisscrossing Vof said streams and ensuring complete flushing and scavenging of said bedpan.

8. The structure defined in claim '7, together with a top cover for said bedpan, vsaid cover, at the narrow end of said bedpan being imperforate and overlying said discharge opening to provide a funnelling pocket and anti-splash'hood,` and the portion of said cover over the main portion of said bedpan having an opening, and seat means rotatably and removably mounted in said opening.

9. As a new article of manufacture, a ilushtype bedpan comprising a comparatively shallow ovate pan including a sloping 'bottom and surrounding marginal transverse end Walls and longitudinal forward and rearward walls, the upper edge portions of said walls embodying an inturned ovate flush rim overhanging the basin portion of said pan, one transverse end portion of the pan being deepened and narrowed and the corresponding wall having a `discharge opening situated in a plane with said bottom, the flush rim at the opposite transverse end of said pan having a battery of ush water issuing nipples, each nipple at a radial angle different from the others, the discharge orifices of said nipples being angled in directions outwardly and away from said basin and said discharge opening and thus aimed to focus the distinctly pitched water jets against the complemental lwall, whereby the jets are baiiled and then combine into a distributively spread stream which sweeps down the co-acting end wall and rushes straight ahead, wholly devoid of turbulous cross currents, through the basin and funnels into and through said discharge opening.

l0. A convertible bedside toilet of the type shown and described comprising a portable support, a perpendicularly raisable and lowerable iiush-type bedpan adjustably mounted on and carried by said support, said bedpan having a flush rim, an elongated exible Water delivery hose connected at one end with said flush rim and adapted to deliver water, under pressure, to said ush rim, a remote controlled ilush valve adapted to be xedly connected in communi-cative relation with a water supply pipe, said delivery hose being connected at its opposite end with said flush valve, a flexible element connected at one end with said flush valve for operating latter, and having its opposite end provided with an operating member mounted on said bedpan for convenience of actuation by the occupant of the bedpan, said bedpan having a discharge opening, a second elongated flexible hose connected at its intake end with said discharge opening, a stationary trap, said second-named hose being connected with said trap, said trap being at a point remote from said bedpan, said hoses being of substantial lengths to permit the support and bedpan to be freely shifted about from place to place in the room and employed for use at selected points of vantage and permitting said bedpan to be elevated on the support for use at bed height as well as lowered on said support to a predetermined low level and used as a regular toilet.

1l. A flush-type bedpan comprising a relatively shallow pan having a bottom, top, and marginal side walls, one side wall having a discharge opening for waste water and fecal matter, said top having an imperforate portion overhanging said discharge opening and defining a fluid concentrating pocket and an anti-splash hood, said top also embodying a flush Water receiving, circulating and distributing flush rim, said bottom being substantially flat, interiorly smooth, free of permanent obstructions and gradually inclining toward said discharge opening and gradually enlarging said pocket, said flush rim having circumierentially distributed flush water passages-each of which is precision located and angularly aimed toward the adjacent side Wall and away from the center of said bedpan whereby criss-crossing and swirling of outgoing jets, in the main central portion of the bedpan, is prevented; said bottom being provided, in close proximity to said discharge opening, with a boss and said boss coacting with the adjacent inclined portion of the pan bottom in providing a sump susceptible of retaining a part of after-flush water and to pool same in the pan.

12. A multiple purpose ushable bedpan of the class shown and described comprising a toilet high base, a bedpan resting removably on said base and adapted to be optionally used, while resting firmly on said base, as a bedside toilet, said bedpan being bodily liftable from said base and adapted to rest on a bed mattress and thus used as a conventional bedpan, Said bedpan having a water receiving, circulating and distributing flush rim provided with passages for flushing the bedpan, having a hooded portion on one side with an underlying discharge opening, a water supply conduit connected at one end with said flush rim, a Ydischarge conduit connected with said discharge opening, remote controlled water supply means including a flush valve with an operating element for the flush valve attached to and operable from said bedpan, said flush valve being situated lixedly on a plane above the highest usable plane of said bedpan, and a stationary trap also remote from said pan, said discharge conduit being connected at its opposite end with said trap.

13. A multiple purpose bedpan construction comprising, in combination, a soil pipe having a trap communicatively attached thereto, a Water supply pipe, a flush valve communicatively connected with said water supply pipe and located on a plane above the trap, a relatively shallow flushable bedpan provided at its top with a flush water receiving, circulating and distributing ush rim, said bedpan having a hooded portion on one side, and a coacting underlying discharge opening, an elongated flexible water supply hose connected at one end with said flush rim and connected at its opposite end with said lush valve, said nush valve being arranged at a height above iioor level to occupy a plane higher than the highest usable plane of said bedpan, manually controlled ilush valve operating means mounted on said bedpan and connected with said flush vave for remotely controlling the latter, and a second elongated flexible hose connected with said discharge opening at one end and also connected, at its opposite end, with said trap, and a portable support, said bedpan being adjustably mounted on said support and usable, when in a relatively low position, as a regular toilet, and when in an elevated position as a bedpan, whereby said bedpan has the double purpose of providing a flushable bedpan as well as a regular standard height toilet.

14. A ush-type pan construction comprising supporting means, a raisable and lowerable pan on said supporting means, said pan being provided with a discharge opening for eiuent passage of Waste matter and flush Water, said pan being further provided with a water-receiving, circulating and distributing channel adjacent the walls of the pan, said channel having flush-water passages connected therewith positioned at predetermined points and at predetermined angles in respect to each other and the adjacent interior surface of the pan to produce a smooth non-splashing flow of water in the main portion of said pan, whereby crisscrossing and splashing of Water streams in the main portion of the pan is prevented while producing water streams directed toward said discharge opening, said pan being movably connected with conduit means for delivering water under. flushing pressure to said channel and conduit means movably connected with said discharge opening for the passage therethrough of waste matter and flush water discharged from said pan.

15. A ush-type pan having a discharge opening for Waste water and waste matter, a waterreceiving, circulating and distributing channel adjacent the walls of said pan, said channel having flush-water passages connected therewith positioned at predetermined points and at predetermined angles in respect to each other and the adjacent interior surface of the pan to produce a smooth non-splashing ow of water in the main portion of the pan, whereby crisscrossing and splashing of water streams in the main portion of the pan is prevented while producing water streams directed toward said discharge opening.

16. A portable bedside toilet comprising a stationary trap, a stationary flush valve, a portable toilet movable toward and from said trap and valve respectively and having discharge means for eiuent waste matter and flush water and further having a flush water receiving, circulatingA and distributing channel, extensible and retractible conduit, means permitting selective positioning of the toilet and aording communicative connection between the trap and discharge means respectively, and the flush valve and channel respectively, said flush valve being positioned in 4a horizontal plane above the horizontal plane of said toilet, and remote control means for said flush valve for convenient accessible use by the occupant of said toilet.

17. The structure set forth in claim 16, including a manually rollable stand for said toilet, the latter being vertically adjustable on said stand and being in the form of a bedpan.

ISADORE LEVIN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

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