WO2006105553A1

WO2006105553A1 - Eluminated lavatory

Info

Publication number: WO2006105553A1
Application number: PCT/ZA2005/000057
Authority: WO
Inventors: Geoffrey Donavan Strydom
Original assignee: Geoffrey Donavan Strydom
Priority date: 2005-03-30
Filing date: 2005-03-30
Publication date: 2006-10-05

Abstract

A lavatory (10) which includes a light emitter (12) which is configured for illuminating a bowl (14) of the lavatory (10) so that a person is able to easily locate the lavatory (10) in dark conditions. The Invention further extends to a method of fitting a light emitter to a lavatory.

Description

ELUMINATED LAVATORY

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a lavatory with a light emitter and a method for fitting a light emitter to a lavatory.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

The Inventor has identified a problem that exists when a person wishes to use a lavatory at night. Many people find it difficult to return to sleep after having switched on a harsh and bright light in order to navigate a bathroom at night. This invention seeks to provide a solution to this problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is to be appreciated that a lavatory refers to a toilet, a urinal, or any similar device.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a lavatory which includes a light emitter configured for illuminating a bowl of said lavatory so that a person is facilitated in locating said lavatory, especially in dark conditions.

The emitter may be configured to illuminate the bowl by being located inside the lavatory under a rim portion of the bowl so that the emitter is out of sight of a person approaching the lavatory wherein light emitted by the emitter is diffused by water inside said bowl so that the emitted light is unobtrusive. Accordingly, the emitter may be configured to emit light into said bowl so that the emitted light reflects off water in the bowl.

The emitter may be located in a drain connection of said lavatory.

The emitter may be configured to illuminate the bowl by the emitter being included in a seat portion of the lavatory. It is to be appreciated that the emitted light is generally directed at water typically held in a bowl of the lavatory so that the emitted light is diffused and reflected towards a person approaching the lavatory. This generally has the effect of giving the water in the bowl a glowing appearance which lights up the lavatory with unobtrusive light.

The lavatory may be configured to include a power connection for attaching the emitter to a power source. The power source may include a mains power connection. The power source may include a battery.

The light emitter may include an LED (Light Emitting Diode). The light emitter may include an optical fibre arrangement. The light emitter may include an electric bulb.

The light emitter may be configured to emit light in a particular pattern. For example, the particular pattern may include a time indication, and/or a specific logo, e.g. a target, a cartoon character, a company's logo, a picture, text, and/or the like.

The lavatory may include a switch for activating the emitter. The switch may include a motion sensor. The motion sensor may be located on the lavatory. Otherwise, the motion sensor may be located remote from the lavatory, such as by a door of a bathroom, or the like. Otherwise, the switch may be configured for manually activating the emitter, e.g. a toggle switch, or the like.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method for fitting a light emitter to a lavatory which method includes the step of fitting said emitter to the lavatory so that, when the emitter emits light, in use, the emitted light illuminates a bowl of the lavatory so that a person is aided in locating said lavatory, especially in dark conditions.

It is to be appreciated that the emitted light is generally directed at water typically held in a bowl of the lavatory so that the emitted light is diffused and reflected towards a person approaching the lavatory. This generally has the effect of giving the water in the bowl a glowing appearance which lights up the lavatory with unobtrusive light.

The step of fitting the emitter to the lavatory may include fitting the emitter inside the lavatory under a rim portion of the bowl so that the emitter is out of sight of a person approaching the lavatory wherein light emitted by the emitter is diffused by water inside said bowl so that the emitted light is unobtrusive. Accordingly, the emitter may be fitted so that the emitted light reflects off water in the bowl.

The step of fitting the emitter may include fitting the emitter in a drain connection of said lavatory, e.g. using a pan collar fitting, or the like.

The step of fitting the emitter may include fitting the emitter in a seat portion of the lavatory.

The light emitter may include an LED (Light Emitting Diode). The light emitter may include an optical fibre arrangement for dispersing the emitted light. The emitter may include a light bulb.

The light emitter may be configured to emit light in a particular pattern.

For example, the particular pattern may include a time indication, and/or a specific logo, e.g. a target, a cartoon character, a company's logo, a picture, text, and/or the like.

The method may include the step of arranging the fitted emitter in electrical communication with an energizing means. Accordingly, the emitter may include a switch for selectively activating the emitter. The switch may include a motion sensor. The motion sensor may be located on the lavatory. Otherwise, the motion sensor may be located remote from the lavatory, such as by a door of a bathroom, or the like. The switch may be configured for manually activating the emitter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is now described, by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein Figure 1 shows, in cross-sectional perspective view, a lavatory, in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 shows, in cross-sectional perspective view, a further embodiment of the lavatory shown in Figure 1 ; and Figure 3 shows, in cross-sectional perspective view, a yet further embodiment of the lavatory shown in Figures 1 and 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the accompanying drawings, a lavatory, in accordance with the invention, is generally indicated by reference numeral 10.

It is to be appreciated that the lavatory shown in the accompanying drawings is a toilet, but that the term "lavatory" extends to any facility provided for urination and defecation, such as a urinal, or the like.

The lavatory 10 includes a light emitter 12 which is configured for illuminating a bowl 14 of the lavatory 10 so that a person is able to easily locate the lavatory 10 in dark conditions.

It is to be appreciated that the emitted light is generally a dull light so as not to disturb the person using the lavatory, or wake other people in the vicinity.

Furthermore, in one embodiment of the invention, the light emitter 12 is configured to emit light in a particular pattern. For example, the particular pattern may include a time indication, and/or a specific logo, e.g. a target, a cartoon character, a company's logo, a picture, text, and/or the like.

The embodiment shown in Figure 1 has the emitter 12 located in a drain connection 20 of the lavatory 10. The drain connection 20 is a pan collar which has been modified to locate the emitter 12 therein. In this embodiment, the emitter 12 emits light into the bowl so that water 18 in the bowl 14 diffuses the light which generally results in the bowl 14 glowing with light. Furthermore, the emitter 12 is also out of sight of a person approaching and/or using the lavatory 10. It is to be appreciated that the emitter 12 may be incorporated into the lavatory 10 just before the drain connection 20, i.e. so that the emitter is positioned by a drain connecting part of the lavatory 10. It is further to be appreciated that by locating the emitter 12 in front of the drain connection 20, the angle of the emitted light may improve the visibility of the light.

The embodiment shown in Figure 2 has the emitter 12 located inside the lavatory 10 under a rim portion 16 of the bowl 14 so that the emitter 12 is out of sight of a person approaching the lavatory 10. The light emitted by the emitter 12 is generally diffused by the water 18 inside the bowl 14 so that the emitted light is unobtrusive to a person approaching the lavatory 10. Accordingly, the emitter 12 can also emit light into said bowl 14 so that the emitted light reflects off the water 18 in the bowl 14.

The embodiment shown in Figure 3 has the emitter 12 attached to an optic fibre arrangement 26 which distributes the emitted light under the rim portion 16 of the lavatory 10. In this manner the emitted light is unobtrusive to a person approaching and/or using the lavatory 10.

The lavatory 10 generally includes a power connection 24 for attaching the emitter 12 to a power source (not shown). The power source may be a mains power connection, perhaps including a suitable transformer for the emitter 12, or the power source may be a battery.

Accordingly, the lavatory 10 generally includes a switch 28 for selectively activating the emitter 12. In one embodiment of the invention, the switch 28 is a motion sensor which senses movement of a person approaching the lavatory 10. In this manner, the bowl 14 is illuminated when a person approaches. The motion sensor is typically located on the lavatory 10 in such an example. Otherwise, in a yet further embodiment, the motion sensor is located remote from the lavatory 10, such as by a door of a bathroom, or the like. For example, by locating the motion sensor at an entrance to a bathroom housing the lavatory 10, the bowl 14 is illuminated when a person enters the bathroom. The switch 28 can also include a manual switch so that a person can manually activate the emitter 12. The light emitter 12 is typically an LED (Light Emitting Diode). In further embodiments of the invention, the light emitter 12 is an electric bulb, a laser diode, or the like.

In a yet further embodiment of the invention, the emitter 12 is configured to illuminate the bowl 14 by the emitter 12 being included in a seat portion (not shown) of the lavatory 10, e.g. a seat which includes the emitter 12, or the like. The emitter 12 is generally located in the seat portion so that the emitter emits light to illuminate the bowl 14 of the lavatory, and not the seat portion itself. Accordingly, the emitter 12 is typically not visible when located in the seat portion.

This invention also extends to a method for fitting the light emitter 12 to a lavatory 10. The method includes the step of fitting said emitter 12 to the lavatory 10 so that, when the emitter 12 emits light, in use, the emitted light illuminates the bowl 14 of the lavatory 10 so that a person is facilitated in locating said lavatory 10, especially in dark conditions.

In one embodiment of the invention, the step of fitting the emitter 12 to the lavatory 10 includes fitting the emitter 12 inside the lavatory 10 under the rim portion 16 of the bowl 14 so that the emitter 12 is out of sight of a person approaching the lavatory, wherein light emitted by the emitter 12 is diffused by the water 18 inside said bowl 14 so that the emitted light is unobtrusive. Accordingly, the emitter 12 can also be fitted so that the emitted light reflects off the water 18 in the bowl 14, or the like.

Otherwise, in a further embodiment of the invention, the step of fitting the emitter 12 include fitting the emitter 12 in the drain connection 20 of said lavatory 10, e.g. using a pan collar fitting, or the like.

It is to be appreciated that the emitter 12 may also be fitted to the lavatory 10 just before the drain connection 20, i.e. so that the emitter is positioned in a drain connecting part of the lavatory 10. It is further to be appreciated that by locating the emitter 12 in front of the drain connection 20, the angle of the emitted light may improve the visibility of the light. In a further embodiment of the invention, the step of fitting the emitter 12 includes fitting the emitter 12 in a seat portion (not shown) of the lavatory 10. The emitter 12 is generally located in the seat portion so that the emitter emits light to illuminate the bowl 14 of the lavatory, and not the seat portion itself. Accordingly, the emitter 12 is typically not visible when located in the seat portion.

The light emitter 12 is typically an LED (Light Emitting Diode), but may also include an optical fibre arrangement 26 for directing the emitted light into the bowl 14, a light bulb, or the like.

In one embodiment of the invention, the light emitter 12 is configured to emit light in a particular pattern. For example, the particular pattern may include a time indication, and/or a specific logo, e.g. a target, a cartoon character, a company's logo, a picture, text, and/or the like.

The method generally includes the further step of arranging the fitted emitter 12 in electrical communication with an energizing means (not shown), such as a mains power connection, a battery, or the like. Accordingly, the emitter 12 includes a switch 28 for selectively activating the emitter 12.

In one embodiment, the switch 28 includes a motion sensor. The motion sensor may be located on the lavatory 10, or remote from the lavatory 10, such as by a door of a bathroom, or the like. The switch 28 can also be a manual switch.

It is to be appreciated that the emitter 12 may emit light of any colour. It is further to be appreciated that the emitter 12 generally requires very little power to operate and, accordingly, the emitter 12 can be left on permanently.

It shall be understood that the examples are provided for illustrating the invention further and to assist a person skilled in the art with understanding the invention and is not meant to be construed as unduly limiting the reasonable scope of the invention.

The Inventor regards it as an advantage that the invention provides for a means whereby a person is able to navigate a bathroom without switching on a harsh and bright light. This is further advantageous in that it will not wake other people sleeping nearby.

Claims

1. A lavatory which includes a light emitter configured for illuminating a bowl of said lavatory so that a person is aided in locating said lavatory in dark conditions.

2. A lavatory as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the emitter is located inside the lavatory under a rim portion of the bowl so that the emitter is out of sight of a person approaching the lavatory.

3. A lavatory as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the emitter is located in a drain connection of the lavatory so that the emitter is out of sight of a person approaching the lavatory.

4. A lavatory as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the emitter is configured to illuminate the bowl by the emitter being included in a seat portion of the lavatory.

5. A lavatory as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the emitter is configured to emit light into said bowl so that the emitted light is diffused by water inside said bowl.

6. A lavatory as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the lavatory includes a power connection for attaching the emitter to a power source.

7. A lavatory as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the light emitter includes an LED.

8. A lavatory as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the light emitter includes an electric bulb.

9. A lavatory as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the light emitter includes an optical fibre arrangement for dispersing the emitted light in the bowl.

10. A lavatory as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the light emitter is configured to emit light in a particular pattern.

11. A lavatory as claimed in claim 10, wherein the particular pattern includes a time indication.

12. A lavatory as claimed in claim 10, wherein the particular pattern includes a specific logo.

13. A lavatory as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the lavatory includes a switch for activating the emitter.

14. A lavatory as claimed in claim 13, wherein the switch includes a motion sensor for automatically activating the emitter upon the sensor sensing movement.

15. A lavatory as claimed in claim 13, wherein the switch is configured for manually activating the emitter.

16. A method for fitting a light emitter to a lavatory which method includes the step of fitting said emitter to the lavatory so that, when the emitter emits light, in use, the emitted light illuminates a bowl of the lavatory so that a person is aided in locating said lavatory in dark conditions.

17. A method as claimed in claim 16, which includes fitting the emitter inside the lavatory under a rim portion of the bowl so that the emitter is out of sight of a person approaching the lavatory.

18. A method as claimed in claim 16, which includes fitting the emitter in a drain connection of said lavatory so that the emitter is out of sight of a person approaching the lavatory.

19. A method as claimed in claim 16, which includes fitting the emitter in a seat portion of the lavatory.

20. A method as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 19, wherein the emitter is fitted so that light emitted by the emitter is diffused by water inside said bowl.

21. A method as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 20, wherein the light emitter includes an LED.

22. A method as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 20, wherein the emitter includes a light bulb.

23. A method as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 22, wherein the light emitter includes an optical fibre arrangement for dispersing the emitted light in the bowl.

24. A method as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 23, wherein the light emitter is configured to emit light in a particular pattern.

25. A method as claimed in claim 24, wherein the particular pattern includes a time indication.

26. A method as claimed in claim 24, wherein the particular pattern includes a logo.

27. A method as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 26, which includes the step of arranging the fitted emitter in electrical communication with an energizing means.

28. A method as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 27, wherein the emitter includes a switch for activating the emitter.

29. A method as claimed in claim 28, wherein the switch includes a motion sensor for automatically activating the emitter upon the sensor sensing motion.

30. A method as claimed in claim 28, wherein the switch is configured for manually activating the emitter.

31. A lavatory or a method, according to the invention, substantially as herein described and illustrated.

32. A new lavatory or a new method substantially as herein described.