WO1994001627A1

WO1994001627A1 - Public toilet facility

Info

Publication number: WO1994001627A1
Application number: PCT/GB1993/001401
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andrew Charles Gainsford; Zion Bodash
Original assignee: Bel & Tom Industries (1991) Ltd.
Priority date: 1992-07-05
Filing date: 1993-07-05
Publication date: 1994-01-20
Also published as: AU4509393A

Abstract

A public toilet facility including apparatus for facilitating access and use by disabled persons and apparatus responsive to identification of a user of the facility as being a disabled person for operating the apparatus for facilitating.

Description

PUBLIC TOILET FACILITY

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to automatically operative public toilet apparatus generally.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There exist many patents relating to public toilet apparatus. Examples of such patents include U.S. Patents 4,944,052; 4,922,559; 4,797,959; 4,597,114; 4,301,558 and 4,210,973, all of which relate to various toilet mechanisms, and the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention seeks to provide an improved public toilet facility which is economical to operate and maintain.

There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention a public toilet facility including apparatus for facilitating access and use by disabled persons and apparatus responsive to identification of a user of the facility as being a disabled person for operating the apparatus for facilitating.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided a public toilet facility including a weight sensor and apparatus for opening a door of the facility in response to a sensed overweight condition indicating presence of plural persons within the facility.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided a public toilet facility including a toilet and a distress sensing system which may include audio and/or vibration sensors or detectors for sensing distress and apparatus, including logic control apparatus, for providing an output indication in response to a sensed distress condition within the facility.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided a public toilet facility including an enclosure having a door and a toilet located within the enclosure, the door being driven by fluid pressure controlled at least in part by a door handle.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided a public toilet facility including an enclosure, a toilet located within the enclosure and a weight and/or optical sensor and an associated control logic system, for detecting the presence of an article or multiple persons within the enclosure. Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided a public toilet facility including an enclosure, a toilet located within the enclosure, a motion sensor and a weight sensor, the motion sensor and weight sensor being operative to sense the presence of an unconscious person within the enclosure.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided a public toilet facility including an enclosure including a door, a toilet located within the enclosure, means for automatically opening the door a predetermined amount of time after entry of a person in the enclosure and indicator means for providing an indication to an individual located within the enclosure of the impending opening of the door.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided a public toilet facility comprising an enclosure including a door, a toilet located within the enclosure and having a drain aperture, and an automatic toilet cleaner including a conduit communicating with the drain aperture in the toilet for supplying flushing fluid to the interior of the toilet, the drain aperture being operative for permitting removal of liquids from the toilet.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided a public toilet facility comprising a toilet and apparatus for facilitating access thereto and use thereof by disabled persons including power driven apparatus for changing the position of the toilet from a normal position to a raised position for use by a disabled person.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided a public toilet facility comprising a toilet and apparatus for facilitating access thereto and use thereof by disabled persons including a power driven automatically positionable, retractable sink unit suitable for use by a disabled person.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided a public toilet facility comprising a toilet and apparatus for facilitating access thereto and use thereof by disabled persons including a power driven automatically positionable, retractable support railing unit suitable for use by a disabled person.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided a public toilet facility comprising a toilet and apparatus for facilitating access thereto and use thereof by disabled persons including a power driven automatically positionable, retractable toilet tissue holder unit suitable for use by a disabled person.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided a public toilet facility including a toilet and a vibration sensor for sensing attempted vandalism and apparatus for providing an output indication in response to a sensed vandalism condition within the facility.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided a public toilet facility including an enclosure having a door and a toilet located within the enclosure and apparatus for permitting authorized persons to open the door from the outside, notwithstanding its being locked from the inside.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided a public toilet facility including an enclosure, a toilet located within the enclosure, a smoke sensor and a weight sensor, the smoke sensor being operative to sense the presence of smoke.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided a public toilet facility including an enclosure having a door and a toilet located within the enclosure, and apparatus for automatically responding to maintenance of the door in an opened state for more than a predetermined amount of time.

Various combinations of the above features are all envisioned as part of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

Fig. 1A is a pictorial illustration of a public toilet facility constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 1B is an enlarged illustration of part of the apparatus of Fig. 1A;

Figs. 2A and 2B are pictorial illustrations of part of the interior of the apparatus of Fig. 1A in two alternative operative orientations;

Figs. 3A and 3B illustrate a toilet bowl positioning assembly in two alternative operative orientations;

Figs. 4A and 4B are illustrations of a toilet bowl cleaning assembly into two alternative operative orientations;

Figs. 5A and 5B illustrate a hand rail assembly in two alternative operative orientations;

Figs. 6A, 6B and 6C illustrate a status indicator assembly in three alternative operative orientations;

Fig. 7A is a pictorial illustration of a hand washing assembly constructed and operative m accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 7B is a partially cut away side view illustration of part of the assembly of Fig. 7A;

Fig. 8A is a simplified illustration of a toilet bowl assembly constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 8B is an illustration of one aspect of the operation of the apparatus of Fig. 8A; Fig. 9 is an illustration of a side panel assembly in two alternative operative orientations;

Fig. 10 is an illustration of a floor assembly constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 11 is an illustration of a door assembly constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 12 is a simplified block diagram illustration of a system for controlling the apparatus of Figs. 1 - 11;

Fig. 13 is a simplified block diagram illustration of a water control subsystem of the system of Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a simplified block diagram illustration of a pressurized air control subsystem of the system of Fig. 12;

Fig. 15 is a flowchart illustrating basic operation of the control system of Figs. 12 - 14;

Fig. 16 is a flowchart illustrating operation of the control system of Figs. 12 - 14 for actuation by an able-bodied person;

Fig. 17 is a flowchart illustrating operation of the control system of Figs. 12 - 14 for actuation by a disabled person;

Figs 18A and 183 together constitute a flowchart illustrating operation of the control system of Figs. 12 - 14 for toilet operation;

Fig. 19 is a flowchart illustrating operation of the control system of Figs. 12 - 14 for toilet cleaning;

Figs. 20A and 20B are pictorial illustrations of a public toilet facility constructed and operative in accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 21 is a pictorial illustration of part of the apparatus of Figs. 20A and 20B;

Figs. 22A and 22B are pictorial illustrations of part of the interior of the apparatus of Figs . 20A and 20B in two alternative operative orientations ;

Fig . 23 illustrates a toilet bowl positioning assembly;

Figs. 24A, 24B, 24C and 24D are illustrations of a toilet bowl cleaning assembly in four stages of operation;

Figs. 25A, 25B and 25C are illustrations of a floor cleaning assembly in three stages of operation;

Figs. 26A and 26B are top view illustrations of the interior of the apparatus of Figs. 20A and 20B in two alternative operative orientations;

Fig. 27A is a pictorial illustration of a hand washing assembly constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 27B is a partially cut away side view illustration of part of the assembly of Fig. 27A;

Figs. 28A and 28B are illustrations of a sink assembly in two alternative operative orientations;

Fig. 29 is an illustration of a door panel assembly;

Fig. 30 is a simplified exploded view illustration of the overall construction and installation of the apparatus of Figs. 20A and 20B;

Fig. 31 is an illustration of the modular construction of apparatus of Figs. 20A and 20B in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figs. 32 and 33 illustrate two different portions of the apparatus of the invention having different advertising panel opening arrangements;

Figs. 34A and 34B illustrate a service opening assembly in respective closed and opened orientations;

Fig. 35 is a generalized electrical diagram showing interconnection between various elements in the apparatus of the present invention; Fig. 36 is a generalized diagram showing water and soap connections to various elements of the apparatus of the present invention;

Figs. 37A and 37B are illustrations of a wall unit in respective unsealed and sealed orientations relative to a track; and

Fig. 38 illustrates a toilet tissue dispenser.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Reference is now made to Figs. 1A and 1B, which illustrate the exterior of a public toilet facility constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The public toilet facility comprises an enclosure 10 having a sliding user entry and egress door 12, a user operated control panel 14 and a service door 15.

As seen particularly in Fig. 1B, the user operated control panel 14 comprises a conventional coin or token receiving and return assembly 16 having a coin jam sensor, as well as a magnetic card reader and indication assembly 18, which may be used for receiving a credit card for payment and/or an identification card identifying a particular group of users who have access to special facilities. A status indicator 20 is preferably also provided to indicate whether the facility is vacant, occupied or not in use. A preferred, pneumatically operated status indicator 20 is illustrated in Figs. 6A - 6C.

The enclosure of Figs. 1A and 1B is provided with remote communication apparatus such as a radio network antenna 24 and a cellular telephone antenna 26 or any other suitable communications link, connecting the facility to a central monitoring and control facility remote from the enclosure.

Figs. 2A and 2B are general illustrations of the interior of the public toilet facility of the present invention in two alternative operational orientations. Fig. 2A illustrates the normal operational orientation and shows a toilet bowl 30 at a normal height, a toilet paper dispenser 36, a hand washing assembly 34 and an air flow hand dryer 38. Hand washing assembly 34 and toilet paper dispenser 36 are provided with respective light beam detector assemblies 90 and 91 for sensing hand presence and toilet paper supply respectively. The hand dryer 38 may also be provided with a hand presence sensor.

Fig. 2B illustrates the facility of Fig. 2A in a special operational orientation which is particularly suitable for use by disabled persons. This orientation, which can be actuated by insertion by the user of a magnetic card 22 (Fig. 1) into assembly 18, identifying the user as a disabled person, includes extension of an auxiliary handrail 40, raising and displacing outwardly the toilet bowl 30 and extension of a side panel assembly 44 into operative orientation.

Side panel assembly 44 includes a towel dispenser 46 having a towel supply sensor, a handrail 48 and a further extendible subpanel assembly 50 which includes an auxiliary handwashing assembly 52, which is readily accessible to a wheelchair bound person.

Figs. 3A and 3B illustrate apparatus for displacing the toilet bowl 30 and include an inclined pneumatic piston assembly 60 which is retracted as shown in Fig. 3A, when the toilet bowl is in its normal orientation and extended, as shown in Fig. 3B, upwardly and outwardly, when the toilet bowl is oriented for use by a disabled person.

Figs. 4A and 4B illustrate apparatus for automatically cleaning the toilet bowl 30 and include a water ]et and brush assembly 70 which may be of conventional construction and which may be operated pneumatically and/or electrically. As seen in Fig. 4B, after use, the toilet bowl 30 and its supporting assembly 72 are rotated by means of a rotary cylinder 73, such as a series 18, 28 or 21, commercially available from Camozzi, about a rotation axis 74 into operative engagement with the water net and brush assembly 70, which is positioned by a piston assembly 76 for cleaning of the toilet bowl. A water let nozzle 77 is operated to rinse the toilet bowl 30 and a further water jet nozzle 78 is provided for cleaning the brush of assembly 70. A third water let nozzle 79 is provided for flushing refuse into a drain 71, with which is associated a drain blockage sensor 75. After cleaning is completed, the toilet bowl is returned to its orientation as shown in Fig. 4A.

Figs. 5A and 5B illustrate operation of the auxiliary handrail 40, which is rotated about a pivot axis 80 from a retracted orientation as shown in Figs. 2A and 5A to an extended orientation as shown in Figs. 2B and 5B by a piston assembly 82.

Figs. 7A and 7B illustrate the construction and operation of a hand washing assembly which may be employed as either or both of assemblies 34 and 52 (Figs. 2A and 2B). The hand washing assembly comprises coaxial water and soap output lines 84 and 86 which are typically operated by valves (not shown) in response to interruption of a light beam 88 generated by a light source 89 and reflected by a mirror 92 both forming part of light beam assembly 90, as shown in Fig. 7A. The soap may be drawn from output line 86 by means of the venturi effect or any other suitable means.

Figs. 8A and 8B illustrate a preferred construction of a toilet bowl assembly in accordance with the present invention. The toilet bowl 30 is formed with an aperture 93 at the bottom thereof, which is employed to drain liquids from the toilet bowl, as indicated by arrows 92 and 94. Aperture 93 preferably also accommodates a flushing liquid supply conduit 95 which supplies a flushing liquid out through an outlet nozzle 96 above aperture 93, as indicated by arrows 98.

Reference is now made to Fig. 9, which illustrates the construction of side panel assembly 44 and shows wheels 100 and 102 on which it rolls from a retracted orientation to an extended orientation in response to operation of a piston assembly 104. Subpanel 50 is shown to be operated for extension and retraction by a pair of piston assemblies 106 and 108. Hand washing assembly 52 as well as its water and soap supply conduits 110 and 112, its electrical supply 113 and its drain 114 are also shown. Pneumatically actuable stabilizers 115 may be provided for stabilizing panel 44 when in its extended orientation.

Fig. 10 illustrates a cleanable floor assembly for the public toilet facility of the invention wherein the floor surface is an endless web of flooring material 120 which is mounted on drive and support rollers 122 and 124 and supported from underneath by a support 126. The above-described floor assembly is supported on weight sensors 128.

After each use of the facility, a motor 130, such as an hydraulic motor, drives the roller 122 to cause the floor surface previously exposed in the enclosure 10 to be moved along arrows 132 until it lies in downward facing orientation in operative engagement with a water let nozzle 133 and brushes 134, also driven by motor 130, which clean the floor. A drain arrangement 136, collects waste liquid removed from the floor as well as any liquid used in cleaning the floor. The drain 136 may be provided with a blockage sensor.

Fig. 11 illustrates a door assembly useful in the present invention and includes door 12 which is operated by a piston assembly 138. The door is operated from inside by a handle 140 which receives pressurized air via an extendible conduit 141 and provides a pressurized air output along one of extendible conduits 142 and 143 which are coupled to opposite ends of piston assembly 138 for opening or closing operation thereof.

Fig. 12 is a system block diagram of the public toilet facility of the present invention. A main controller 150, such as a microprocessor or microcomputer, receives inputs from a plurality of input devices including the following:

light beam break detectors 152 associated with hand washing assemblies 34 and 52;

light beam break detector 154 associated with towel dispenser 46;

light beam break detector 155 associated with hand dryer 38 ;

a voice sensor 156 located within the enclosure for sensing distress;

a smoke detector 158;

a vibration detector 160 associated with the walls of the enclosure to sense attempted vandalism to the enclosure;

a vibration detector 162 associated with the walls of the enclosure to sense attempted vandalism to the money box or assembly 16;

operating signals 157 from assemblies 16 and 18 forming part of panel 14 (Fig. 1B);

a toilet paper supply detector 163 associated with a toilet paper dispenser;

a weight calculator 164 associated with weight sensors 128;

a hand soap supply detector 165;

a cleaning soap supply detector 166; a pressurized air supply detector 167;

sewage blockage detector 168 responsive to detector 75 (Figs 4A and 4B) and/or to other drain blockage detectors;

motion detector 169, such as a conventional passive infra-red detector indicating motion within the enclosure;

a water supply detector 170; and

various other status detectors which may additionally be provided for various purposes.

The main controller 150 provides outputs to the following output devices:

enclosure lights 176;

audio or visual message output devices 178, such as to inform a user that the door 12 is about to be opened;

background music output device 180; a remote monitor facility 181 receiving alarm status reports of operational failures, vandalism, user distress and the like; air vent apparatus 182;

an air compressor 184 for providing pressurized air for operating the mechanical portions of the system;

a pressurized air manifold assembly 185, which is described hereinbelow in connection with Fig. 14, for controlling the supply of pressurized air to the mechanical portions of the system; and

a liquid manifold assembly 186, which is described hereinbelow in connection with Fig. 13.

Referring now to Fig. 13, there is seen a preferred embodiment of a liquid manifold 186 which includes a water inlet 200 which receives water from pressurized mains and which is coupled to a water filter 202. Downstream of water filter 202 there is provided a water supply manifold which has a plurality of outlets, each of which is governed by an automatically controllable valve which is in turn governed by main controller 150 (Fig. 12).

The arrangement of valves is preferably as follows:

Valve Number Water Supply To 210 toilet bowl 30 via conduit 95

212 water jet and brush assembly 70

214 water jet nozzle 133 to rinse floor

216 water jet nozzle 77 to rinse toilet

218 hand washing assembly 34 220 hand washing assembly 52 Additional water supply valves may also be provided.

There is also preferably provided a soap reservoir 228 which has a plurality of outlets, each of which is governed by an automatically controllable valve which is in turn governed by main controller 150 (Fig. 12).

The arrangement of valves is preferably as follows:

Valve Number Soap Supply To 230 floor washing apparatus

(Fig. 10)

232 hand washing assemblies

34 and 52 Reference is now made to Fig. 14 in which there is seen a preferred embodiment of pneumatic manifold assembly 185 which is coupled to a pressurized air outlet of air compressor 184 (Fig. 12) and which is coupled to a plurality of air filters 242. Downstream of filters 242 there is provided a pressurized air manifold which has a plurality of outlets, each of which is governed by an automatically controllable valve assembly which is in turn governed by main controller 150 (Fig. 12).

It is to be appreciated that each valve assembly may include one or more valves for carrying out different functions, such as extension and retraction of a piston. Pneumatic lines for different functions are not shown separately, for the sake of conciseness and clarity.

The arrangement of valves is preferably as follows:

Valve Number Pressurized Air Supply To 244 entrance door piston assembly 138

246 hand rail piston assembly

82

248 toilet seat rotation piston 73 of Figs. 4A-4B or assembly 340 of Figs. 24A - 24D

250 toilet seat displacement piston assembly 60 252 brush assembly 70

254 service door 15 actuator 256 manual door opening handle 140

258 status indicator 20 (Figs.

6A - 6C)

260 panel stabilizers 115 262 panel 50 pistons 106 and

108

264 side panel piston

assembly 104 Reference is now made to Fig. 15 which describes basic operation of the control apparatus of Figs. 12 - 14.

Normal outputs from pressurized air supply detector 167, water supply detector 170, sewage blockage detector 168, toilet paper detector 163, hand soap detector 165 and cleaning soap detector 166 are monitored. A door position sensor which may be associated with piston assembly 138 senses that the entrance door 12 is closed.

Suitable sensors monitor normal toilet operation and brush assembly 70 operation as well as completion of a cycle of floor cleaning by the apparatus of Fig. 10. In the absence of malfunction signals from smoke sensor 158 and assemblies 16 and 18, the controller 150 enables the toilet facility to be activated by a user inserting a coin or token.

Reference is now made to Fig. 16 which illustrates operation of the toilet facility for non-disabled users. Upon insertion of a coin or token into receiving assembly 16 a suitable electrical signal is transmitted to controller 150. The controller causes the toilet status indicator 20 to indicate that the facility is occupied and the receiving assembly 16 to be temporarily disabled from receiving additional tokens or coins. The door 12 is opened by actuation of piston assembly 138 and the manual toilet door control handle 140 is enabled.

The toilet light, sound and ventilation systems are activated and a 15 minute timer in controller 150 begins to run.

Weight calculator 164 and motion detector 169 sense the presence of a user.

The initial sequence of operations for a disabled user is described in Fig. 17. Upon entry of a disabled status card to receiving assembly 18 (Fig. 1B), the assembly 18 provides a disabled user indication to controller 150.

The toilet status indicator 20 indicates that the facility is occupied and the receiving assemblies 16 and 18 are temporarily disabled from receiving additional tokens, coins and cards. The toilet is displaced by piston assembly 60 and the handrail 40 is extended. The side panel 44 and the subpanel 50 are extended and made available for use by the disabled user.

The toilet light, sound and ventilation systems are activated and a 30 minute timer in controller 150 begins to run.

The door 12 is opened by actuation of piston assembly 138 and the manual toilet door control handle 140 is enabled.

Weight calculator 164 and motion detector 169 sense the presence of a user.

Reference is now made to Figs. 18A and 18B which illustrate various additional automatic features of operation of the toilet facility of the present invention. The controller 150 is operative in response to appropriate inputs to supply toilet paper, activate soap and water flow and operate the hand dryer. Normally after such features have been activated the user exits the facility.

If, however, the duration of toilet use exceeds 15 minutes, an audio message is provided interior of the enclosure warning of imminent opening of the door, followed by opening of the door.

Also if the presence of a user is sensed and no user motion is sensed for a predetermined amount of time, such as five minutes, indicating user distress, such as fainting, the door is opened automatically and an alarm indication is provided via radio or telephone to a remote monitoring facility.

If the sensed weight on the floor or walls is above or below predetermined thresholds, indicating either plural users or placement of a suspicious object inside, manual door closing is disabled. An alarm indication may be provided upon either or both of the occurrences.

Similarly if a voice indicating user distress is sensed, smoke is detected or door closing is prevented a predetermined number of times in sequence, the door is opened and kept open and an alarm indication is provided. In the absence of a user inside the enclosure when smoke is detected, a fire extinguisher may be actuated. Absence of a user may be detected or sensed by any suitable device, such as a weight sensor.

Reference is now made to Fig. 19 which illustrates operation of the cleaning apparatus of the toilet facility of the present invention following each use. Upon verification of user exit, the toilet bowl is overturned and rinsed. A brush engages the toilet bowl together with water and soap in a multi-step wash and dry cycle and thereafter the toilet bowl is restored to its use orientation. The floor of the enclosure is cleaned.

Once all of the cleaning has been completed, the facility status is indicated to be "VACANT" and coins or tokens may be received from a user to begin operation anew.

The foregoing explanation has centered on manor features of the toilet facility of the present invention. It is appreciated that many other features may be provided therein. A computer listing for operation of a toilet facility constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention as described heremabove in connection with Figs. 1A - 19 and including the above-mentioned features as well as additional features is incorporated herein as Appendix A.

Reference is now made to Figs. 20A, 203 and 21, which illustrate the exterior of a public toilet facility constructed and operative in accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the present invention. The public toilet facility comprises an enclosure 310 having a sliding user entry and egress door 312, a user operated control panel 314 and a service opening 315. Advertising panels 316 may be located on various surfaces of the enclosure 310 as well as on the service opening 315 (Fig. 32).

As seen particularly in Fig. 21, the user operated control panel 314 comprises a conventional coin or token receiving and return assembly 317 having a coin jam sensor, as well as a knob 318, which may be used for operating special facilities, such as for the disabled. A status indicator 320 is preferably also provided to indicate whether the facility is vacant, occupied or not in use.

The enclosure of Figs. 20A and 20B may be provided with remote communication apparatus (not shown) such as a radio network antenna and a cellular telephone antenna or any other suitable communications link, connecting the facility to a central monitoring and control facility remote from the enclosure.

Figs. 22A and 22B are general illustrations of the interior of the public toilet facility of the present invention in two alternative operational orientations. Fig. 22A illustrates the normal operational orientation and shows a toilet bowl 330, a toilet paper dispenser 334, a hand washing and crying assembly 336. Hand washing and drying assembly 336 and toilet paper dispenser 334 may be provided with light beam detector assemblies for sensing hand presence and toilet paper supply respectively.

Fig. 22B illustrates the facility of Fig. 22A in a special operational orientation which is particularly suitable for use by disabled persons. This orientation, which can be actuated by operation by the user of knob 318 (Fig. 21), includes extension of an auxiliary handrail 340, and extension of the hand washing and drying assembly 336. The differences between the normal orientation and the special orientation may be seen additionally by comparing Fig. 26A, which shows the normal configuration of the interior of the enclosure 310 with Fig. 26B, which shows the special configuration for disabled persons.

Fig. 23 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a toilet bowl 330 and apparatus for displacing the toilet bowl 330. The toilet bowl 330 is seen to include an opening through which extends a conduit 331 which can be employed for filling and/or for draining the bowl, as well as for flushing the interior thereof. The toilet bowl 330 is seen to be supported on a pair of piston shafts 332 and 334 which form part of a toilet bowl cleaning assembly which will now be described with particular reference to Figs. 24A - 24D.

From a consideration of Figs. 24A - 24D, it can be seen that the toilet bowl 330 is mounted on a piston and cylinder assembly including three cylinders 336, 338 and 340 which cooperate with corresponding piston shafts 342, 333 and 332 to position the toilet bowl in a use position, as seen in Fig. 24 or in a cleaning position as seen in Fig. 24D and to move the toilet bowl between the use and cleaning position. When in the cleaning position, the toilet bowl 330 is cleaned by a high pressure liquid spray from nozzles 344, as shown m Fig. 24D.

Reference is now made to Figs. 25A - 25C, which illustrate a floor support and cleaning assembly employed in the illustrated embodiment of Figs. 20A and 20B. The floor 348 of the enclosure 310 is normally supported in a raised position, as seen in Fig. 25A, by the action of a plurality of piston and cylinder assemblies, identified by reference numerals 350, 352 and 354.

When it is desired to clean the floor 348, the floor is lowered by action of piston and cylinder assemblies 350, 352, so as to provide clearance between the partition walls 355 of the enclosure 310 and the floor, as seen m Fig. 253. A floor cleaning unit 356, which typically is stored behind a partition wall 355 in the enclosure is permitted to move along the floor 348 for cleaning thereof. Upon completion of cleaning and return of unit 356 to its location as seen in Fig. 25A, the floor 348 is raised once again.

Figs. 27A and 273 illustrate the construction and operation of a hand washing assembly which may be employed as part of assembly 336 (Figs. 22A and 22B). The hand washing assembly comprises piping 383 including coaxial water and soap output lines 384 and 386 which are typically operated by valves (not shown) in response to interruption of a light beam 388 generated by a light source 389 and reflected by a mirror 392 both forming part of light beam assembly 390, as shown in Fig. 27A. The soap may be drawn from output line 386 by means of the venturi effect or any other suitable means. Preferably, warm air is provided through an output line 393.

Figs. 28A and 28B illustrate a preferred construction of a retractable hand washing and drying assembly 336 constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In Fig. 28A, the assembly is retracted whereas in Fig. 28B, the assembly protrudes for use by an individual seated in a wheelchair.

Reference is now made to Fig. 29, which illustrates the construction of a door panel assembly 360 and shows control, electric and pneumatic connections to the door. Referring also to Figs. 37A and 37B, it is noted that pneumatic piston assemblies 362 and 364 are operative to displace a seal 366 into sealing position, when the door is closed.

Fig. 30 illustrates the general installation of the apparatus of Figs. 20A and 20B, it being noted that a generally rectangular hole 372, having a sewer drain connection 370, is provided at the installation site. A prefabricated base 374, having a sloping bottom surface 376 and a dram hole 378 is arranged to be located in hole 372 and is preferably provided with upstanding pins 380 for location thereon of enclosure 310.

Fig. 31 illustrates the general modular construction of the apparatus of Figs. 20A and 20B wherein it can be seen that a self-cleaning floor unit 390 and a separate cleaning unit 392 may be associated with the enclosure 310 on site, and a door panel 394 and roof 396 may also be assembled on site or otherwise.

Fig. 32 illustrates the hinged opening of a service opening panel 400, which typically supports an advertising panel 316. Opening of the advertising panels 316 is shown in Fig. 33. Figs. 34A and 34B illustrate a typical service opening panel 400 associated with hinges 410.

Figs. 35 and 36 illustrate typical interconnections of electrical power, control signals, pressurized air, ventilating air flow, water and soap in a system constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The diagram is believed to be entirely self-explanatory and thus no further description is provided here, other than to make reference to Figs. 12 - 19 and the accompanying discussion hereinabove which describe one preferred operating system. Fig. 38 illustrates a toilet paper dispenser system including an elongate rectangular housing 420 in which toilet paper 430 is stored and from which the toilet paper is dispensed, and a piston 440 for urging the paper 430 toward a front opening 450 in the housing 420. A blocking member 460 is selectably positionable, by means of a piston 470, either in a blocking position in which the opening 450 is blocked or in a withdrawn position in which the opening 450 is accessible by a user of the facility.

The operation of piston 470 is typically controlled by control logic (not shown) which receives indications from a sensor 480, such as an optical sensor, of each time the user removes paper from the housing 420. Typically, the blocking member 460 is normally in its withdrawn position and assumes its blocking position once the user has removed paper from the housing a predetermined number of times, to prevent use of excessive amounts of tissue paper. The blocking member 460 then returns to its withdrawn position once the user has left the facility and before the next user utilizes the facility.

It is appreciated that any suitable sensor, detector, or combination thereof, such as a combination of an audio sensor and a vibration sensor, in conjunction with suitable control logic, may be employed to sense distress.

Any suitable use may be made of a distress indication. For example, an alarm may be sounded in a remotely located central control unit. Alternatively or in addition, the door of the facility may automatically unlock, or, if unlocked, may decline to become locked.

It is appreciated that any suitable sensor, detector, or combination thereof, such as a combination of a weight sensor and an optical sensor, m conjunction with suitable control logic, may be provided in order to differentiate between different groups of user/s of the public toilet, such as the following groups of one or more users:

a single able-bodied adult user; two or more able-bodied adult users; two adult users of whom one is in a wheelchair and the other, presumably, is assisting; an unaccompanied child; a child and an adult.

Any suitable use may be made of the information regarding the group of users in a facility. For example, the facility may be automatically operative to prevent usage of the facility by undesirable groups, such as an unaccompanied child or a group of more than one able-bodied adult. Usage prevention may comprise, for example, preventing the door of the facility from locking or preventing utilization of various features such as dispensing of paper.

It is appreciated that various features which are, for clarity, shown and described above m the context of separate embodiments may be combined in any suitable manner. Conversely, various features which are, for brevity, shown and described above in the context of a single embodiment may be provided singly or m any suitable subcombination.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited by what has been particularly shown and described heremabove. Rather the scope of the present invention is defined only by the claims which follow:

Claims

C L A I M S 1. A public toilet facility including apparatus for facilitating access and use by disabled persons and apparatus, responsive to an indication of disabled status of a user of the facility, for operating said apparatus for facilitating.

2. A public toilet facility including a toilet and a sensor for sensing distress and apparatus for providing an output indication in response to a sensed distress condition within the facility.

3. A public toilet facility including an enclosure having a door and a toilet located within said enclosure, said door being driven by fluid pressure controlled at least in part by a door handle.

4. A public toilet facility including an enclosure, a toilet located within said enclosure and a weight sensor for sensing the presence of an article or multiple persons within said enclosure.

5. A public toilet facility including an enclosure, a toilet located within said enclosure, a motion sensor and a weight sensor, said motion sensor and weight sensor being operative to sense the presence of an unconscious person within said enclosure.

6. A public toilet facility including an enclosure including a door, a toilet located within said enclosure, means for automatically opening the door a predetermined amount of time after entry of a person in said enclosure and an indicator operative to provide an indication to an individual located within the enclosure of an impending opening of the door.

7. A public toilet facility comprising an enclosure including a door, a toilet located within said enclosure and having a dram aperture, and an automatic toilet cleaner including a conduit communicating with said drain aperture in said toilet for supplying flushing fluid to the interior of the toilet, said drain aperture being operative for permitting removal of liquids from said toilet.

8. A public toilet facility comprising a toilet and apparatus for facilitating access thereto and use thereof by disabled persons including power driven apparatus for changing the position of the toilet from a normal position to a raised position for use by a disabled person.

9. A public toilet facility comprising a toilet and apparatus for facilitating access thereto and use thereof by disabled persons including a power driven automatically positionable retractable sink unit suitable for use by a disabled person.

10. A public toilet facility comprising a toilet and apparatus for facilitating access thereto and use thereof by disabled persons including a power driven automatically positionable retractable support railing unit suitable for use by a disabled person.

11. A public toilet facility comprising a toilet and apparatus for facilitating access thereto and use thereof by disabled persons including a power driven automatically positionable retractable toilet tissue holder unit suitable for use by a disabled person.

12. A public toilet facility including a toilet and a vibration sensor for sensing attempted vandalism and apparatus for providing an output indication m response to a sensed vandalism condition within the facility .

13. A public toilet facility including an enclosure having a door and a toilet located within said enclosure and apparatus for permitting authorized persons to open said door from the outside, notwithstanding its being locked from the inside.

14. A public toilet facility including an enclosure, a toilet located within said enclosure, a smoke sensor and a weight sensor, said smoke sensor and weight sensor being operative to sense the presence of smoke in an unoccupied enclosure.

15. A public toilet facility including an enclosure having a door and a toilet located within said enclosure, and apparatus for automatically responding to maintenance of the door in an opened state for more than a predetermined amount of time.

16. A public toilet facility comprising an enclosure, a toilet located within the enclosure and apparatus for automatically cleaning the toilet, including apparatus for facilitating access and use by disabled persons and apparatus responsive to identification of a user as disabled, for operating said apparatus for facilitating.

17. A public toilet facility according to any of claims 3 - 16 and also including an audio sensor for sensing distress and apparatus for providing an output indication in response to a sensed distress condition within the facility.

18. A public toilet facility according to any of claims 1, 2 and 4 - 17 and also including a user access door driven by fluid pressure controlled at least in part by a door handle.

19. A public toilet facility according to any of claims 1 - 3 and 5 - 18 and also including a weight sensor for sensing the presence of an article or multiple persons within said enclosure.

20. A public toilet facility according to any of claims 1 - 4 and 6 - 19 and also including a motion sensor and a weight sensor operative to sense the presence of an unconscious person within the facility.

21. A public toilet facility according to any of claims 1 - 5 and 7 - 20 and also including means for automatically opening a user access door a predetermined amount of time after entry of a person into said facility and indicator means for providing an indication to an individual located within the enclosure of the impending opening of the door.

22. A public toilet facility according to any of claims 1 - 6 and 8 - 21 and also including a drain aperture and an automatic toilet cleaner including a conduit communicating with said dram aperture in said toilet for supplying flushing fluid to the interior of the toilet, said dram aperture being operative for permitting removal of liquids from said toilet.

23. A public toilet facility according to any of claims 1 - 7 and 9 - 22 and also including power driven apparatus for changing the position of the toilet from a normal position to a raised position for use by a disabled person.

24. A public toilet facility according to any of claims 1 - 8 and 10 - 23 and also including a power driven automatically positionable, retractable sink unit suitable for use by a disabled person.

25. A public toilet facility according to any of claims 1 - 9 and 11 - 24 and also including a power driven automatically positionable, retractable support railing unit suitable for use by a disabled person.

26. A public toilet facility according to any of claims 1 - 10 and 12 - 25 and also including a power driven automatically positionable, retractable tissue holder unit suitable for use by a disabled person.

27. A public toilet facility according to any of claims 1 - 11 and 13 - 26 and also including a vibration sensor for sensing attempted vandalism and apparatus for providing an output indication in response to a sensed vandalism condition within the facility.

28. A public toilet facility according to any of claims 1 - 12 and 14 - 27 and also including apparatus for permitting authorized persons to open said door from the outside, notwithstanding its being locked from the inside.

29. A public toilet facility according to any of claims 1 - 13 and 15 - 28 and also including a smoke sensor and a weight sensor, said smoke sensor and weight sensor being operative to sense the presence of smoke in an unoccupied enclosure.

30. A public toilet facility according to any of claims 1 - 14 and 16 - 29 and also including apparatus for automatically responding to maintenance of the door in an opened state for more than a predetermined amount of time.

31. A public toilet facility comprising an enclosure and a self cleaning floor assembly having a raised orientation for use and a lowered orientation for cleaning.