WO2008152225A2

WO2008152225A2 - Wc assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2008152225A2
Application number: PCT/FR2008/000622
Authority: WO
Inventors: Julien Fizet
Original assignee: Julien Fizet
Priority date: 2007-05-03
Filing date: 2008-04-30
Publication date: 2008-12-18
Also published as: FR2915756A1; WO2008152225A3

Abstract

The invention relates to a WC assembly designed to enhance the accommodation and comfort of its users whether the latter be able-bodied persons or persons with reduced mobility. This assembly comprises a bowl (2) having a rear portion (6) extending over a determined length between the hole of the bowl (3) and its opposite end and along a defined width between two lateral faces of the said rear portion, one of the said lateral faces having at least one recess (13) extending towards the other said lateral face and being suitable for housing the knee of a user sitting on the bowl. The invention is applicable to WCs for public or private use.

Description

Set of W-C

The present invention relates to a set of toilets for public or private use.

With a physical disability, being overweight, weakened as a result of surgery or impaired by age, people with reduced mobility find it difficult to settle on a toilet and are extract. Heavily affected, they may also be unable to stay in position which requires, in addition to specific equipment that will be discussed later, the assistance of a third person to avoid any fall.

This problem also applies as a whole to children, for whom small size and precarious balance are additional handicaps.

These problems are known for a long time and various solutions have been proposed: addition, more or less successful aesthetically and ergonomically speaking, support means in different forms and in different places; devices for raising, lowering or tilting, motorized or not, of the WC or the user; etc.

The problem of access to the toilet bowl of people with disabilities in wheelchairs is also known: transfer from the wheelchair to the toilet and vice versa is a source of difficulties, particularly if it is accentuated by the general physical weakness of the person.

Many solutions have been proposed to solve it, taking into account the requirements of cost and bulk. Unfortunately, the integration of the regulatory support bar is often unsightly and always differentiating vis-à-vis conventional toilets, so the extreme discriminating for their disabled users and discouraging for the valid users who would use these toilets.

In addition, toilets have only one position of use, back to the tank, which requires people with disabilities in wheelchairs to use them sometimes inappropriately, straddling the tank, this strategy offering them in effect an easier transfer from their chair to the toilet and vice versa.

Another common problem is that of micturition of men (remember that urination represents the urination action). It is indeed recognized that despite all their efforts, these people, most of the time standing in front of the toilet, tend to leave more or less marked signs of their passage: misdirected jet, unexpected drops and visible splashes or invisible on the telescope and around the toilet.

Officiant in a sitting position on the toilet, in the same way as women, users and cleaners would not have been confronted with these problems: the latter position is therefore more hygienic, but it unfortunately requires to intervene in a pronounced way on the lower part of their dressing (lower the pants), which is often considered a waste of time prohibitive for the user.

At present, only the real "urinals" for men actually meet the need for urination of this population appropriately, this in terms of speed of execution and hygiene: the man is in this case positioned facing the urinal and is content to play the opening of his fly.

This demonstration alone is not enough to convince anyone that a urinal is necessary in addition to a conventional toilet: for reasons of space, cost of purchase and installation, and even principle, it is unthinkable to meet this type of association in a conventional bathroom.

The situation of micturition of males in toilets, public and private, only equipped with a conventional toilet therefore remains unsatisfactory both for all their users and for those responsible for cleaning said toilets.

Finally, known toilet devices are generally poorly suited for conducting recreational activities in these places. "Leisure devices" in the broad sense may represent, as we shall see later, a whole set of elements which the user is likely to desire the use, whether it is a practice already commonplace for him in the current state of morality (typically, read a magazine or send a text message via his mobile phone) or that it will be expected to become so in the future, because of the development or appearance of new technologies as well as the generalization of this type of practice.

Indeed, the user must currently operate without a support surface to rest his arms during his activity; without any surface to place its "peripherals of leisure", whatever they are, during their use or when the user has to counter to intimate manipulations; without storage space directly linked to the toilet. He is often forced to put his entertainment device where he can (typically, the magazine is found on an auxiliary support or on the ground, the mobile phone balanced on the toilet paper dispenser, the laptop and other expensive accessories technology placed on the floor): all this is both uncomfortable for the user, very often ergonomically unsuitable, and also dangerous for the backup of the peripherals themselves.

The present invention aims to overcome these disadvantages.

More generally, the present invention aims to improve existing toilets, public or private.

It proposes for this purpose, a set of toilets including a bowl intended for a user and having a seating plan intended to be parallel to the ground, and pierced with a bowl hole, this bowl having a rear portion, extending from the cuvette hole to an end opposite to said cuvette hole, said rear portion having at its opposite end a reservoir interface for cooperating with a water reservoir, said rear portion extending over a determined length between the bowl hole and its opposite end and according to a width defined between two lateral faces of said rear portion, the assembly being characterized in that at least one of said side faces of the bowl has a recess extending towards the other said side face and being adapted to accommodate the knee of a user sitting on the bowl, and in that said tank meets the same width limitations as those of the rear portion of bowl, up to a height of between 55cm and 65cm, when the assembly is installed on the ground, said water tank being mounted to cooperate with the tank interface, the tank having a tank lid, the tank or its lid having, in an upper part, a support portion allowing the user or a third person to rely on it to facilitate installation or extraction of the user respectively on and from the bowl or a tablet portion intended for a user sitting on the bowl, the tank and / or its lid being off-center with respect to the tank interface, at least in its upper part , so that the support portion or shelf therein extends beyond the reservoir so as to provide a useful surface extending laterally off-center substantially perpendicularly to the length of the bowl, so as to when the user is seated and his knees positioned on the same side of the bowl, on the side of the recess, the user is turned towards the upper and offset part of the tank and its support portion or tablet.

According to advantageous aspects of the invention, possibly combined:

said support or tablet portion is extended by a shelf attached substantially in the same plane, extending from the most off-center portion of the tank or its lid, in a direction substantially parallel to the length of the rear portion, so as to what the end of the tablet opposite the most off-center part of the tank or its lid is closer to the center of the bowl hole than the other end of said tablet;

-at least one of the elements of the group:

- support size portion,

- tablet size portion,

tablet, has means for attachment to a wall and / or ground support means;

- The tablet comprises gripping means forming handles, particularly for persons with reduced mobility for the installation and extraction operations on the bowl;

the reservoir or its lid has gripping means forming handles;

the gripping means are in one piece with the reservoir or its lid;

- said gripping means are shaped to further serve anchor points to reported user position retention devices;

- Maintaining devices in the user position reported are means formed of rigid arms and articulated together to support a user on the assembly and articulated to a base;

- The tank or its lid or the rear portion has an airbag integrated in a housing provided for this purpose in the tank or its lid or the rear portion, and intended, once inflated, to support a user on the whole, including a user with reduced mobility, inflating means for inflating said cushion being provided in the assembly;

- at least one of the elements of the group:

- support size portion,

- tablet size portion, - tablet (10), has at least one of the group means: means for controlling the start-up of a tank flush, means for storing accessories (36), in particular a drawer, support means for an accessory apparatus (37), means for supplying electrical energy and / or connecting to a telecommunications network for an accessory device (38), control means for an accessory device (39), in particular a remote control for an electrical device, lighting means.

According to another aspect, the invention proposes a set of WCs comprising a bowl intended for a user and having a seating plan intended to be parallel to the floor, and pierced with a bowl hole, a bowl rim bordering said hole. , and an inner bowl wall having a generally hemispherical shape and having a bottom and an exhaust duct extending from said bottom, said bowl having a rear portion, integral with the bowl and extending from the borehole. bowl to an end opposite to said bowl hole, said rear portion having at its opposite end a reservoir interface for cooperating with a water reservoir, and said rear portion of the assembly extending a predetermined length between the bowl hole and its opposite end and in a width defined between two lateral faces of said rear portion, at least one of said side faces mead forming a recess extending towards the other said side face and being adapted to accommodate the knee of a user sitting on the bowl.

Advantageously, these provisions allow the user to use the WC assembly ₁ beyond a conventional position back to the tank, in a so-called inverted position facing the tank portion, the user's knees being then on either side of the rear portion or in a so-called intermediate position, substantially facing the tank, the user's knees being then on the same side of the rear portion. According to advantageous aspects of the invention, possibly combined:

- the width of the rear portion is strictly less than 30 cm at any point along its length, and strictly less than 28 cm in at least one point of its length;

- the width of the rear portion is less than 25 cm at any point along its length;

the rear portion is comprised in a volume delimited by two concentric cylinders whose axes are transverse to said seating plane and pass through the geometric center of the bowl hole, said cylinders respectively having a first radius (R1) of between 17 cm and 22 cm and a second radius (R2) between 45 and 60 cm.

Advantageously, these geometric dimensions make it possible to optimize the comfort of the user, in particular in the so-called reverse and intermediate positions mentioned above.

According to an advantageous aspect of the invention, the inner wall of the bowl has in the vicinity of the rear portion a recess sized to collect the urine stream of a user in a position in which he is substantially facing the tank interface, before discharging the jet to the bottom of the bowl.

Advantageously, this arrangement makes it possible to improve the urination operation for men adopting the inverted position:

the urine jet is received at a generally closed angle, making it possible to reduce the number and range of droplets and splashes generated by the impact as well as the noise;

- The distance from the point of impact to the body or clothing of the user is generally increased, to reduce the contamination thereof by the droplets and splashes;

an additional space is provided for the intimate manipulations of the user in the case where he is led to perform them under the rim of the bowl. In general, the operation of male urination in a seated and inverted position allows itself:

- to increase the hygiene of the place through a drastic reduction, and whatever the user's own ability, the probability of finding urine projections (on the telescope, the lid of bowl and their articulation systems, the upper surface of the bowl, and even on the ground) following its urination operated while standing in front of the WC: in fact the operation is carried out while the user is positioned in the center and at the same height as the opening of the bowl, which prevents any projection of urine outside the bowl;

- improve the treatment of certain urinary pathologies, urination in a seated position is often recommended because it allows maximum relaxation of the muscles of the pelvic region, providing better emptying of the bladder;

- To save time compared to a sitting urination performed in conventional position, back to the tank, which requires to lower the pants at least up to mid-thighs: in the inverted position, the user is content to play the game. opening his fly or slightly spreading his garment, just as he would to proceed in front of a urinal.

According to an advantageous aspect of the invention, the assembly has an optical device disposed under the bowl rim and designed to project a target on the hollow of the inner bowl wall.

Thus, advantageously, the user is prompted and guided to target this portion of the inner wall of the bowl.

According to an advantageous aspect of the invention, the rear portion has in its upper part, between the bowl hole and the tank interface, a recess or gooseneck extending over its entire width at least over a portion of its length.

Advantageously, this arrangement makes it possible to accommodate a portion of a garment such as an undergarment or trousers of a user sitting facing the tank interface, and which would have brought down said garment at its thighs or even his knees. This arrangement advantageously allows the user does not have to completely remove the garment to use the assembly according to the invention in a sitting position facing the tank interface. The user can thus keep the same ease and the same speed of execution qϋe when using a toilet in conventional position, back to the tank.

According to an advantageous aspect of the invention, the aforementioned recess or gooseneck comprises, in the vicinity of the bowl hole, a groove extending over its entire width.

Advantageously, this arrangement makes it possible to collect drops of urine produced by the poorly controlled urination of a user in a standing position, and thus to prevent them from following the downward slope of the recess or gooseneck and not to stay in a low position.

According to an advantageous aspect of the invention, a flushing water supply pipe passes into the rear portion, under said recess or gooseneck, said duct having at its lowest point a capillary connecting it to the duct. evacuation to prevent stagnation of water at this point.

Advantageously, this arrangement makes it possible to avoid water stagnation at this point, and thus to avoid, after a certain number of years of use of the WC, a limestone-type deposit at this point, which would have the effect of reduce the efficiency of the toilet cleaning system by flushing.

According to advantageous aspects of the invention possibly combined:

the assembly is provided with a telescope and a lid hinged so as to be able to swing between a position in which they independently cover the bowl hole in the manner of a conventional toilet seat and lid assembly, and a position in which at least one of the lid or the bezel protects said recess or gooseneck from any projections;

- The bezel is articulated on all in the vicinity of the tank interface; the assembly comprises a protection element shaped so as to completely cover the recess or gooseneck when the telescope is lowered towards the bowl.

Advantageously, these provisions allow the user wishing to use the invention in inverted sitting position and position his underwear or pants in the recess or gooseneck to find it still free of urine-like projections left by a previous WC user.

According to an advantageous aspect of the invention, the assembly comprises height adjustment wedges cooperating with the telescope, said wedges being interposed between the bowl and the telescope, so as to modulate the seat height according to the needs of a given user.

Advantageously, this arrangement allows the current user of the WC to adapt the seat height according to his own wishes, keeping in mind that a large height generates less effort for installation and extraction but more stress at the back of the thighs.

Advantageously, this arrangement also allows another user, occasional and punctual WC to adapt the seat height so that it also suits him better.

According to an advantageous aspect of the invention, the assembly is provided with a rotating bezel, allowing a user sitting on it to choose an angular orientation relative to the bowl without having to get up from said telescope, as well as a device for blocking the rotation of the telescope.

Advantageously, this provision allows the user a gain in comfort and safety in this place, since he can choose to move from one position to another according to his desires, this without having to deploy effort and without risk of fall.

According to an advantageous aspect of the invention, the assembly further comprises a water tank mounted to cooperate with the tank interface, the tank having a tank lid and flush control means, and the reservoir having up to a height between 55 and 65cm from the ground, when the set is installed on the ground, the same width as the rear portion.

Advantageously, the use of the WC assembly according to the intermediate and inverted specific positions mentioned above is hereby improved, particularly for tall people, whose knees, when seated, are located above the plane of the interface. of tank.

According to advantageous aspects of the invention, possibly combined:

the reservoir or its lid has gripping means forming handles;

- The gripping means are in one piece with the tank or lid.

Advantageously, these arrangements allow:

- to improve the comfort of all wheelchair users, wheelchair users, wheelchairs and persons with reduced mobility, in relation to the installation and extraction operations on the WC, regardless of the chosen installation position : indeed, the presence or not of gripping means is no longer independent of the decision of installation of the WC itself, since they are integrated automatically;

- to improve the safety and ergonomics of the WC equipped as well, since the gripping elements are directly developed and integrated on the WC by its manufacturer, unlike ancillary systems which the user is directly dependent in terms of quality of installation (positioning and holding of the fastener);

- Not to emphasize the reduced mobility or disability of an exclusive user of this type of toilet, the gripping means appear less blatantly as elements reported on the WC, it is then less strongly connoted. In particular, the WC thus equipped can be physically adapted to disabled and valid users, without rejecting any;

- to integrate into the overall design of the product, and therefore to improve the aesthetic appearance. According to advantageous aspects of the invention, possibly combined:

- Maintaining devices in the user position reported are means formed of rigid arms and articulated together to support a user on the assembly and articulated to a base attached to the recess or gooseneck;

- The tank or its lid or the rear portion has an airbag integrated in a housing provided for this purpose in the tank or its lid or the rear portion, and intended, once inflated, to support a user on the whole, including a user with reduced mobility, inflating means for inflating said cushion being provided in the assembly.

Advantageously, these arrangements allow:

- to adapt quickly and safely to the WC a system designed to maintain in position in all directions a heavily disabled user, or a young child at precarious balance, and thus avoid any fall to the ground;

- To improve the safety of the user thus maintained, on the one hand maintaining in position is no longer dependent on the attention of a third person, and secondly the system being developed by a professional manufacturer and not manufactured in a traditional way;

- To improve the privacy of the user thus maintained, the presence of a third person to support it is no longer necessary during this phase of use of the WC.

It should be noted that one and the other of these holding systems in the user's position are advantageously used with the user in the so-called inverted position on the WC ₁ therefore facing the tank interface, or in position said intermediate, since they allow a transfer easier (shorter and without rotation) from a wheelchair or from the ground. According to an advantageous aspect of the invention, the tank or its lid has, in an upper part, a support portion allowing the user or a third person to rely on it to facilitate the installation or extraction of the user respectively on and from the bowl.

Advantageously, this arrangement allows the user to install and extract in each of the possible use positions of the toilet in greater comfort and better security, especially if it is a user physically handicapped who must transfer from a wheelchair.

Also, the people accompanying other users (young children, people with very limited mobility, etc.) can thus have a surface around the user to help, in order to facilitate its positioning and its maintenance. position.

According to an advantageous aspect of the invention, the tank or its lid has, in an upper part, a portion forming a tablet intended for a user sitting on the bowl, especially when the latter sits substantially in front of the tank, his knees then being positioned on either side of the bowl, or with the knees on the same side of it.

Advantageously, this arrangement allows:

- to improve the practicality of the bathroom equipped with such a WC, since the user can occasionally deposit objects (mobile phone, laptop, bag, documents, etc.) that he would carry when entering the toilet and which he should necessarily divest himself in order to carry out his intimate manipulations;

- to improve the comfort of the WC user, who can carry out activities of his choice under the best conditions of comfort (through a suitable posture, a possible rest of his forearms, and a maintenance in the space objects during their use) and security for the objects themselves (whose risk of falling are greatly reduced);

- to improve the appearance and the overall coherence of the bathroom as a whole, by using this surface to store entertainment (magazines, radio, etc.) or maintenance that are usually arranged on the floor or on shelves.

According to advantageous aspects of the invention, possibly combined:

- The tank and / or its lid is off-center with respect to the tank interface, at least in its upper part, so that the support portion or shelf therein extends beyond the tank so as to provide a working surface extending laterally off-center substantially perpendicular to the length of the bowl;

said support or tablet portion is extended by a shelf attached substantially in the same plane, extending from the most off-center portion of the tank or its lid, in a direction substantially parallel to the length of the rear portion, so as to that the end of the tablet opposite the most off-center portion of the tank or its lid is closer to the center of the bowl hole than the other end of said tablet.

Advantageously, these arrangements make it possible to increase the above-mentioned advantages over the support or tablet portion, the surface of which is here increased and whose generated shape is closer to the user, whatever his position of use of the toilet. , to know :

- general improvement of the comfort and well-being of the user during his visit to this place, through a control of his time and his activities, a greater practicality and a better general appearance of the WC;

- decomplexification of the user through the offered activities, both to explain the time spent in this place and to cover any unsightly noises that could emit through the use of sound entertainment devices of the type radio, music or video player, etc. ;

- installation and extraction facilitated for persons with reduced mobility and young children, whether or not these users are assisted by a third person;

- installation and extraction facilitated for disabled people, who must transfer respectively from and on a wheelchair. According to an advantageous aspect of the invention, at least one of the elements of the group:

- support size portion,

- tablet size portion,

tablet, has means for attachment to a wall and / or ground support means.

Advantageously, this arrangement makes it possible to effectively support the cantilever of the off-center elements, mainly when large loads are carried.

According to an advantageous aspect of the invention, the tablet comprises gripping means forming handles.

Advantageously, this arrangement makes it possible to obtain a handle integrated in the WC and disposed laterally to the bowl thereof, in a manner that complies with the regulations that impose the presence of such a lateral handle for toilets intended for the disabled ( wheelchair-bound) and also advises for washrooms for people with reduced mobility (physically handicapped, overweight, weakened as a result of surgery or impaired abilities) by age).

Advantageously, this provision also allows:

- to improve the safety and ergonomics of the WC equipped as well, since the gripping elements are directly developed and integrated on the WC by its manufacturer, unlike ancillary systems which the user is directly dependent in terms of quality of installation (positioning and holding of the fastener); - Not to emphasize the reduced mobility or disability of an exclusive user of this type of toilet ₁ the gripping means appear less blatantly as elements reported on the WC, it is then less strongly connoted. In particular, the WC thus equipped can be physically adapted to disabled and valid users, without rejecting any;

- to integrate into the overall design of the product, and therefore to improve the aesthetic appearance.

According to an advantageous aspect of the invention, at least one of the elements of the group:

- support size portion,

- tablet size portion,

- tablet, presents at least one of the means of the group:

- Control means for starting the flush of the tank,

means for storing accessories, in particular a drawer,

- support means for an accessory device,

means for supplying electrical energy and / or connection to a telecommunications network for an accessory device,

control means for an accessory device, in particular a remote control for an electrical device,

- lighting means. Advantageously, these arrangements allow:

- to improve the comfort of the user during the realization of a whole set of activities that the user would like to lead in this place, by proposing to him peripheral devices, integrated into the WC, making it possible to improve the conditions of realization of its initial activities. These activities can be already known and current in the current state of morals (example: read a magazine or use his mobile phone), or be led to become in the coming years because of the evolution of technologies and the generalization of this type of practice in this place;

- to accentuate the advantageous functionalities (images, sound, connection to a telecommunications network, etc.) of certain accessory devices which the user would like to have use in this place, as well as to improve their security during their use by minimizing the risk of falling;

- to improve the organization, the functional aspect and the general appearance of the bathroom.

The present invention will be more fully understood from the detailed description given below and from the attached schematic drawings of the preferred embodiments of the invention which, however, should not be construed as limiting the invention to and specific embodiments but are for purposes of explanation and comprehension only. On these:

- Figure 1 is a perspective view of the toilet according to the invention;

- Figure 2 is a front view of the WC of Figure 1;

- Figure 3 is a side view of this toilet;

- Figure 4 is a top view of the toilet, implanted between two walls forming a right angle;

- Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the toilet bowl;

- Figure 6 is a top view of the bezel area of the toilet bowl, showing the specific curvature of the interior of the bowl;

- Figure 7a is a partial view of the view of Figure 5, showing the area of sight of the male user when urinating in the inverted position;

- Figure 7b is a view similar to that of Figure 7a, showing an optical device disposed under the rim of the bowl, projecting a target on the hollow of the inner wall of the bowl;

- Figure 8a is a top view of the bezel and its interface zone with the toilet bowl, both being round; - Figure 8b is a view similar to that of Figure 8a, in a rotating spectacle variant;

- Figure 9 is a top view of the bowl and the rear portion of the WC, showing the concentric cylinders between which the rear portion is circumscribed;

- Figure 10a is a side view of the toilet according to the invention, the bezel being articulated on the sides of the bowl;

- Figure 10b is a view similar to that of Figure 10a, the bezel being in the raised position;

- Figure 11 is a view similar to that of Figure 10a, showing an alternative articulation of the bezel on the sides of the tank;

- Figure 12a is a view similar to that of Figure 11, the WC further comprising a protective element in the raised position;

- Figure 12b is a view similar to that of Figure 12a, with the bezel in the raised position and the protection element in the lowered position;

- Figure 13a is a top view of the toilet according to the invention, provided with a rigid system for holding in position of the user on the toilet, in the closed position;

- Figure 13b is a side view of the WC of Figure 13a;

- Figure 13c is a top view of the WC of Figure 13a, the system being in the open position;

- Figure 14a is a top view of the toilet according to the invention provided with another holding system in the user position on the airbag toilet, in the deployed position and closed by a strap;

- Figure 14b is a side view of the WC of Figure 14a;

- Figure 15 is a side view of the WC showing a number of reported accessories;

- Figure 16a is a side view of a toilet equipped with a tread foot system; and

FIG. 16b is a view from below of this same system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT The assembly of WC 1 according to the invention comprises a bowl 2 (or base) intended to be in contact with the ground, and in which is formed a bowl hole 3 intended to receive the urine and feces of a user. This bowl hole 3 is flanked by a bowl rim 4. A telescope 5 movable in rotation between a raised position and a lowered position allowing the user to sit is reported on the bowl 2 at its upper plane. . In a variant not shown, a bowl lid can cover this bezel.

A rear portion 6, integral with the bowl and having two side faces, extends from the bowl hole 3 to an end opposite thereto. A water reservoir 7 is attached to the rear portion 6, at a reservoir interface area 8 (Fig. 5).

The water tank 7 comprises a lid 9. The water tank 7 extends from the rear portion 6, upwards and in an oblique direction so that the lid 9 is offset laterally with respect to the bowl. 2. Thus, the tank 7 and lid 9 can serve as a tablet or support for the user. A shelf 10 is here proposed in the continuity of these elements, to accentuate the possibilities of serving as a tablet or support plane: indeed, when it is installed on the toilet, the user is found partially surrounded by these different elements.

As seen in Figure 2, the tablet 10 is formed so as to be housed in a corner formed by two walls at right angles. But the set of WC 1 and its shelf 10 can also, according to other variants not shown, be implanted against a wall alone, in different directions, or in the middle of a room, typically a bathroom. Being caused to undergo significant constraints in the case where they receive heavy tools or when a user applies almost all of its mass, the tank, tank lid and tablet elements preferentially have means of attachment to a wall and / or ground support means, not shown in the figures.

Gripping means forming handles 11 are present on the reservoir 7. In a variant not shown, the cover 9 can also to be provided. Other gripping means forming handles 12 are also present on the tablet. In particular, the support bar legally imposed for sanitary facilities for disabled wheelchair users can be integrated into the product in this way, and this provides different benefits: improved comfort for all users, people valid or with reduced mobility or disabilities; improvement of the safety and ergonomics of the WC thus equipped; lack of a differentiating element between a toilet intended for disabled or disabled persons or disabled persons; improvement of the aesthetic appearance of the bathroom. Preferably, these handles 11 and 12 are in one piece with respectively the reservoir 7 and the shelf 10 and not reported on these parts.

FIG. 2 illustrates the fact that the water tank 7, its lid 9 and the shelf 10 are offset laterally with respect to the longer length of the bowl 2, the tablet 10 being the most important WC element. offset from the bowl 2.

It can also be seen in this figure, as well as in FIG. 4, that the narrowness of the rear portion 6 (the maximum distance between its lateral faces is less than 25 cm and more precisely between 18 cm (at the narrowest of the rear portion). 6) and 24cm) and the tank 7 allow the user to straddle the bowl and position a leg on each side of it, thus ending up in the so-called inverted position, facing the tank interface 8.

According to another variant, the width at any point of the length of the rear portion 6 (maximum distance between its lateral faces) is less than 30 cm with at least one point of its length below 28 cm.

Regarding the tank, it is also thin and meets the same width limitations as those of the rear portion of bowl 6, to a height between 55cm and 65cm corresponding to the height of the upper part of the knee of a seated man.

Due to these arrangements, the "inverted" position, facing the reservoir interface 8, is made comfortable for the user of the toilet according to the invention, whether for a short or extended period of use, since it does not have to spread disproportionately the legs around the toilet.

FIG. 4, and further on FIG. 9, show the presence of a lateral cup recess 13 formed in one of the lateral faces of the rear portion 6, which aims to further improve this type of positioning of the user facing the tank interface, the advantages of which are: to allow the male urination operation in a seated position in a comfortable, fast and hygienic manner; improve urination in the case of users suffering from certain urinary diseases; facilitate transfer operations for wheelchair users, both from the chair to the WC (installation) and from the WC to the chair (extraction).

The lateral bowl recess 13 is provided to accommodate a user's knee, regardless of its size. It may be the left knee if the user is positioned substantially facing the tank interface 8 with one leg on each side of the bowl 2 (this is the so-called inverted position), or the right knee if the user is positioned with the legs on the same side of the bowl 2 and is turned towards the upper part and offset from the tank 8 and its lid 9 or to the shelf 10 (this is the so-called intermediate position or "leisure").

In a variant not shown, a second bowl recess can face the first to further improve the positioning of the user.

Figures 3 and 4 show that spaces are provided both under the shelf 10 and between the latter and the bowl 2, so as to allow a standing user to be introduced laterally between bowl and shelf, and s' sit on the bezel 5 and have the tank 8, its cover 9, or the tablet 10 as an area to carry out activities. It is in this case installed like a chair facing a table, and it is allowed to use "entertainment devices" comfortably and ergonomically; contribute to their safeguarding by minimizing the risks of accidental fall or crash; to provide them with a storage or storage surface directly within reach.

The following elements (non-exhaustive list) are likely to be considered as "leisure devices", in the current state of knowledge and lifestyles: paper documents (magazine, book, mail, etc.); objects resulting from new technologies specifically allowing access to the Internet (laptop, PDA, telephone, smartphone, etc.) or to be entertained by means of music (portable or digital walkman, portable radio or integrated into a device having another main use, etc.) or image (portable DVD player, portable television or not, etc.); games intended for children or adults (portable game console or not, puzzle, car scale, etc.). Any other activity still little or not widespread in the current state of morals in these places will also be part of the activities and peripherals "leisure": consumption of food or drink; tobacco consumption and by that use of an ashtray; check the condition of the hairstyle, skin or make-up and rectifications if necessary, and by that use utensils, specific products, a portable mirror or not; etc.

The inner wall of the bowl 14 (FIG. 5) has a generally hemispherical shape and has a bottom 15 conveying the liquid and the waste towards a discharge duct 16 extending from said bottom 15 and opening at the rear of the WC 1 to evacuate. liquid and waste to the dedicated evacuation network.

The inner wall 14 has in the vicinity of the rear portion 6, so in its area closest to the reservoir interface 8, an inner wall recess 17 sized to collect the urine stream of a user lying in a position in which it is substantially facing the tank interface 8.

FIG. 6 makes it possible to better appreciate the presence of this recess 17 when viewed from above, while FIG. 7a represents the (hatched) sight zone accessible to the male user urinating in a seated position. "inverted", or in a standing position, facing the reservoir interface 8, the arrow representing the urine jet.

Having a recess 17 of such a shape makes it possible to better receive the jet of urine and thus reduce the number and range of droplets and splashes generated by the impact as well as the noise; to increase the distance from the point of impact to the body or clothing of the user; to provide additional space for the intimate manipulations of the user.

FIG. 7b shows an example of a device intended to induce the user to use the toilet in the inverted position to urinate: it is an optical device 18 placed under the rim of the bowl 4 and designed so as to projecting a target on the hollow 17. Thus, naturally appealing to his playing instinct during the urination operation, the user has a great incentive to aim at the most favorable zone.

This system also illuminates and guides the user to this key area for more comfort and better hygiene. In addition, it is not necessarily necessary to light the entire bathroom, resulting in improved visual comfort and reduced energy consumption for the home.

The image projected on the hollow may be other than a target. In another variant, the image can also be directly etched in the material of the bowl, thus simplifying the product. In another variant, reaching by means of the urine jet a trigger placed in this zone conditions the emission of an event (of sound or light type) rewarding the user. Finally, in another variant, the fact of impacting the urine stream on a specific area of this recess 17 resonates with a specific sound, also a source of motivation for the user.

Returning to FIG. 5, it can be seen that the rear portion 6 has a recess or gooseneck 19 in its upper part, between the bowl hole 3 and the reservoir interface 8. The purpose is to house a portion clothing such as an undergarment or trousers of a user sitting in front of the tank interface 8, and which would have lowered said garment at her thighs or even her knees. So, despite a set of toilets having a bowl placed on the ground and not reported to the wall, the user is not obliged to completely remove the garment to be able to use the toilet in an "inverted" sitting position facing the tank interface. This arrangement is particularly useful for wheelchair users who wish to use the "inverted" position to facilitate installation / retrieval operations.

The gooseneck 19 must remain clean; in particular, in the case of a poorly controlled urination of a user in a standing position, the lost drops must not follow the downward slope and be housed in the lower position of the swan neck 19, thus soiled. Hence the presence of a gooseneck groove 20 extending the full width of the gooseneck 19 in the vicinity of the bowl hole 3: it allows to collect lost drops in an area out of reach of clothing .

A flushing water conduit 21 guides the flushing water from its departure from the tank 7 and up to the bowl rim 4 where it will be diffused. In order to avoid stagnation of the water at the bottom of the flushing water supply duct, in the area under the gooseneck 19, a flushing water pipe capillary 22 connects it to the flue pipe. water discharge 16. This avoids deposits (limestone, mold, etc.) at this location, which would have the effect of reducing the efficiency of the toilet cleaning system 1 by flushing.

In Figure 8a we see that the bowl 2 and the bezel 5 are round. The fact that the contour of the bezel 5 is round allows the user to position themselves in an infinity of angular declensions. Indeed, it is not possible to favor one more than the other through an oval-shaped bezel as conventionally keeping a conventional bezel articulation based hinges forming pivots.

FIG. 8b illustrates a variant with an ovoid-shaped outer contour bezel 5, which is more comfortable for the user, to which a new rotation (of vertical axis) with respect to the bowl is allowed: the bowl connection 2 / Bezel 5 is made by a set of supports 23 of the bezel on the bowl (3 or more). These supports 23 are either one-off (For example, a system of rolling balls) or linear (for example, rings or bearings) and they can be integrated either in the bowl 2 or in the bezel 5, then relying respectively on the opposed flat surfaces, so either at the level of the bezel 5 or at the level of the bowl 2. The use of the WC 1 is thus more comfortable, since the user can choose to move from one position to another according to his desires this without effort. In order to avoid an imbalance of the user that may even lead to his fall, a device for locking the bezel in rotation (not shown) in a given position is also provided: by interrupting the rolling of the dedicated elements, by notches on one or the other surface, by keying or pinning, etc.

The rear portion 6 extends between two concentric cylinders represented by circles in Figure 9; these circles are centered on the geometric center of the eyeglass hole. The smallest of the circles has a radius R1 between 17 cm and 22 cm, while the largest has a radius R2 between 45 and 60 cm.

Figures 10a and 10b show a first variant of the WC 1 with the bezel 5 which is articulated on the side flanks of the bowl 2. Bowl side flanks 24 are thus formed, and male elements 25 bezel, complementary shape that of housing 24, come to fit in these. According to other variants not shown, the complementary elements are reversed, one and the other can be incorporated either to the bezel 5 or the bowl 2.

For the sake of simplification, one can imagine that the telescope 5 is deformed momentarily so as to be in position as described. However, other variants are possible, the deformation required for assembly / disassembly operations may for example be provided by ancillary elements such as springs.

With a hinge of the type just described, the upper surface of the bowl 2, which is the most exposed to various projections, is free hinge systems that often tend to deteriorate and be difficult to clean. The bezel 5 in the raised position (FIG. 10b) is fitted to the upper surface of the bowl 2: in this way the gooseneck 19 intended to receive the clothes of the user is physically protected from any projections produced by the urination of a user in a standing position facing the toilet 1. This device is particularly intended to cooperate with the gooseneck groove 20. It may be completed by the presence, in the rear part of the bezel 5, of a flexible element (not shown ) intended to establish a better seal between the bezel 5 in the raised position and the bowl 2.

Modulating the seat height of the user is a commonly recognized need, relative to its ease of installation and extraction on the toilet and comfort when seated; but in the case of this invention which is intended to be used by both valid and disabled users it becomes crucial, if only vis-à-vis the regulation that imposes certain heights for the seating plan of the toilet . The invention therefore provides for the presence of adjustment wedges in height of the telescope 26, which are interposed between the bowl 2 and the bezel 5, so as to modulate the seat height according to the needs of a given user. It is obvious that in the case of using such wedges 26, the pivot point of the bezel 5 / bowl 2 must be modified accordingly according to the same value: hence the presence of several flanks housing 24 on each side flank of the bowl 2: in Figure 10a, the bezel 5 is provided with shims 26 and therefore the flank compartments 24 used are the highest, while in Figure 10b the bezel 5 is not provided with shims 26 and therefore the flank housing 24 used are the lowest.

FIG. 11 illustrates another variant according to which the telescope 5 is hinged to the lateral flanks of the reservoir 7, which comprise, as in the variant described above, a plurality of tank flanks 27 which receive male elements 25. previously, according to other variants not shown, the complementary elements are reversed. According to such a device, the bezel 5 in the lowered position covers the gooseneck 19: thus, even if this area has been previously soiled by a user, it is covered by a clean bezel 5 adapted to receive the clothes of the user.

FIGS. 12a and 12b illustrate another variant according to which the telescope 5 is always articulated on the lateral flanks of the reservoir 7 but also comprises an additional element called protection element 28. The latter, articulated either at the level of the sides of the reservoir 7 as in the figure, either at the flanks of the bowl 2, can be handled independently of the bezel 5 itself, which is recessed in its rear part. Thus, the gooseneck 19 of the bowl 2 may be covered at any time by this element 28, in the case where the user would like to deposit his clothes when using the WC 1 in the "inverted" position facing the tank interface 8.

FIGS. 13a, 13b and 13c illustrate the possibility of adding on the WC assembly 1 a device for holding the user 29 in position, formed by two rigid arms 30 and articulated together according to pivots of vertical axes, in order to support a user both laterally and longitudinally, a base 31 and a closure member 32. The base 31 comes to espouse the specific shape of gooseneck 19 of the bowl 2 and stalls firmly. It is then secured at the handles 11 and 12 of the tank 7 or the shelf 10, which serve as anchor points. This type of device is particularly interesting to prevent young children or people with reduced mobility falling from the toilet if they are not maintained, and also to prevent a third person having to maintain them after possibly having them there. installed.

The entire device 29 can be opened in large, as shown in Figure 13c, to facilitate the installation of the user, especially if it can not move itself and if it must be transferred to from a wheelchair. It should be noted that this holding device 29 in position is used optimally with the user positioned in an "inverted" manner, facing the reservoir interface 8, or else facing the shelf 10.

The rigid device 29 illustrated here composed of a base 31 and two articulated arms, but one can imagine that only one arm is sufficient, or conversely that it is more suitable to have more than two, or the articulation between the base and the arms, or between the arms between them, is deformable type.

FIGS. 14a and 14b illustrate another type of device for holding the user in position: it is an airbag 33 integrated into a housing provided for this purpose in the reservoir 7. Accessibility to the assembly WC 1 critical point when it comes to hoist a person who can not move, is improved, since no element hinders the positioning phase of the user on the toilet. The latter being positioned, whether it is a back to the tank interface 8, facing it or facing the shelf 10, an inflation system (not shown) integrated into the WC assembly 1 makes it possible to inflate the airbag 33, which comes to marry the user and maintain the overall. It is advisable, for a better security, to complete the maintenance of the user by manually actuating a fastener element 34 of the strap type located on the cushion 33 opposite the tank interface 8, and also to fix said cushion 33 to the tablet 10 by means of a fastener 35. To deflate the system, it suffices to deflate the airbag 33, for example with the aid of the inflation system which would have reversed the operation: the device is thus automatically retracted inside the tank 7. In other variants not shown, this device for holding the user in position by an airbag 33 can be integrated in the tank cover 9 or in the rear portion 6 , or reported at the level of the tablet 10, in or on or below it.

Figure 15 shows a number of accessories reported to the set of WC 1 according to the choice of the user: these means are intended to facilitate the use of "entertainment devices" or to accentuate the possibilities, or more broadly to improve the comfort of the user and the appearance of the bathroom. It is thus possible to see in the figure means for the storage of accessories 36 of drawers type arranged under the tablet, a physical support means 37 for an accessory device, a means for supplying electrical energy and / or connection to a device. telecommunications network 38 for an accessory device, and control means 39 for one or more accessory devices. It is also easy to imagine that the tank elements 7, tank lid 9 and shelf 10 comprise the control means for controlling the flushing of the tank 7 (not shown), as well as a whole set of others. facilitators of use of entertainment devices ": thus, concerning the use of paper documents (magazines, books, mail, etc.) or games, a variant according to the invention proposes the integration of a light source of supplement near the tablet, to illuminate it as well as any object or any activity there. The light source may be powered either by the mains current or by an internal battery also integrated into the WC assembly 1. In the case where the positioning or the orientation of the light source are chosen as being modifiable by the user, it will illuminate objects or activities taking place in other positions, in particular the conventional position, back to the tank 7, and the "inverted" position, facing the tank interface 8.

With regard to the use of objects derived from new technologies specifically making it possible to access the Internet or to be entertained by means of music, image or game, a variant according to the invention proposes the integration to the WC of pedestals specifically for these apparatus, previously referred to as physical media means 37 for an accessory apparatus. Thus, during prolonged or repeated use of these types of devices, the user will benefit from a physically stable support to keep them in position, improving their comfort during their use and minimizing the risk of falling of these devices often expensive.

Coupled with means for supplying electrical energy and / or connection to a telecommunications network 38 for an accessory device mentioned above, the base or physical support means 37 can be used to supply or recharge the device, which is useful in the case of repeated or prolonged use of the device. This power supply can either be carried out via the mains current of which a transformer (not shown) integrated in the assembly will extract the required voltage, or by means of an internal battery (not shown) also integrated into all. The base 37 may also make it possible to connect the apparatus to a wired network and thus to access remote data, for example stored in a computer located in another room, and to Internet services without using a wireless network.

The base 37 can also make it possible to improve the use of the leisure device by accentuating certain of its functionalities: for example, the fact of connecting a PDA, or another peripheral dispensing images, to its base can reveal the contents of its small screen on a larger screen arranged near the tablet. For example also, the fact of connecting a digital music player, or another device providing sound, to its base 37, allows the content to be broadcast through high-performance speakers integrated in WC 1 or close thereto , and not through those built into the device.

Through the presence of means for the storage of accessories 36 mentioned above, the assembly of the invention aims to improve the organization and functionality of the toilet as well as the comfort of the user by proposing to it various storage spaces and storage for all of its "entertainment devices" or all other objects that can commonly be found in a bathroom: deodorant spray, cleaning elements, toilet paper reserve, etc. . The user thus has within reach of one or more storage locations, personal or common, to seize or store in a comfortable, fast and safe objects that he would like to use in this place. The elements of the toilet that can directly accommodate such storage spaces, or storage spaces in the form of inserts, are the bowl 2, the tank 7, the tank lid 9, and the tablet 10. Thus by for example, the magazines used by the different users of the same bathroom would be stored in locations, physically closed or not, located in close proximity to the shelf 10, above or below thereof as drawers. Typically also, the cleaning elements, deodorizing sprays and Other spare toilet paper rolls would be stored at or below the WC pedestal.

Regarding activities of the tobacco consumption type, a variant according to the invention proposes to improve the comfort of the user by integrating an ashtray (not shown), typically at the tablet: this element, removable for to be emptied and cleaned, may also be masked so as to achieve a visual gain and minimize odorous emanations.

With regard to activities of the beverage consumption type, an assembly according to the invention proposes to improve the comfort of the user by the integration of a cup holder, typically at the level of the tablet 10: this element is either part of the tablet 10 through a recess material is either reported on it, optionally retractable.

On the other hand, an assembly according to the invention also proposes to allow the user to enjoy his passage in the bathroom to check the appearance and condition of his hair, skin or make-up and d make corrections if necessary. For these purposes, an assembly according to the invention makes available to the user his tablet 10, for placing "leisure devices" of the makeup type, lipstick, hair brush or other specific utensils. An assembly according to the invention also includes, according to a particular embodiment, a retractable mirror (not shown): unused, the mirror is either integrated in the plane formed by the upper surface of the tablet 10 is hidden in or under or behind it. The user who wishes to have the use can position it in front of him and then return it to the initial position after use.

According to still other variants, the assembly of WC according to the invention comprises one or more of the following characteristics, taken separately or in any technically possible combination:

- A sink (not shown), allowing the user to wash their hands after use of the toilet integrated into the WC via a modification of the tablet. This improves the hygiene of the user and to save space and money by avoiding the addition of a full-fledged sink in the cabinet of toilet. In the case where the sink integrated WC works according to a principle of recycling the water used to the tank 7, it also allows for water savings.

- A trash or waste receptacle (not shown) integrated with the WC: either in the bowl 2, the tank 7, the tank lid 9 or the shelf 10; either by excrescences or elements attached to these parts, which can be intended to collect the waste in a plastic bag. Thus, it is possible to achieve a saving of space, a gain of aesthetics, as well as a facilitated cleaning of the bathroom as one element less is disposed on its floor.

- A mop holder cleaning the bowl (not shown) integrated into the toilet, typically from its bowl 2, either by excrescences or by elements on this piece. Thus, it is possible to achieve a saving of space, a gain of aesthetics, as well as a facilitated cleaning of the bathroom as one element less is disposed on its floor.

- A toilet paper holder (not shown), in roll or stack of sheets, integrated in the immediate vicinity of the user, to be easily accessible regardless of the physical mobility of the user and the position in which that it is installed. Typically, this integration is carried out either from the bowl 2, or from the tank 7 or its cover 9, or above, below or at the tablet 10, either by excrescences of these parts or by elements reported to them.

- A radio or music player built into the toilet, typically at the tablet. This device can be powered by either the mains or an internal battery also integrated into the set.

In the end, the use according to the user's choice of "leisure devices", through the various embodiments envisaged, contributes greatly to its overall comfort and well-being; optimizing his time and his activities during his obligatory visits to this place; to his health by avoiding inappropriate positions; the decrease in inconvenience related to the time spent in the bathroom, explained by the activities offered; to the less discomfort with the unsightly noises it could produce, covered by the use of some of the "leisure devices"; to the education of young children, doubly attracted to this place and its use if the parental model invests it positively and if they find an opportunity to conduct their own games and activities.

FIGS. 16a and 16b show a "tread step" system 40, the object of which is to enable small users, typically young children, to hoist themselves more easily on the WC 5 bezel by crossing previously a step of low height. In order to allow this element 40 to be fixed and removed easily and quickly from the base of the bowl 2, it is conceivable to add thereto by deformation a handle that can be formed in the said step, in its part farthest from the bowl. 2, to remove it more easily by exerting traction.

Many other variants are possible depending on the circumstances, and it is recalled in this regard that the invention is not limited to the examples described and shown.

Claims

1. WC assembly (1) comprising a bowl (2) intended for a user and having a seating plan intended to be parallel to the ground, and pierced with a bowl hole (3), this bowl having a rear portion (6), extending from the cuvette hole (3) to an end opposite to said cuvette hole, said rear portion (6) having at its opposite end a reservoir interface (8) for cooperating with a reservoir of water (7), said rear portion (6) extending over a determined length between the bowl hole (3) and its opposite end and in a width defined between two lateral faces of said rear portion, the assembly being characterized in that at least one of said side faces of the bowl (2) has a recess (13) extending towards the other said side face and being adapted to house the knee of a user sitting on the bowl , and in that said reservoir (7) responds to the same s limitations of width that those of the rear portion of the bowl, to a height of between 55cm and 65cm, when the assembly is installed on the ground, said water tank (7) being mounted to cooperate with the tank interface (8), the tank having a tank lid (9), the tank (7) or its lid (9) having, in an upper part, a support portion allowing the user or a third party person to rely on to facilitate the installation or extraction of the user respectively on and from the bowl (2) or a tablet portion intended for a user sitting on the bowl (2), the tank (7) and / or its cover (9) being off-center with respect to the reservoir interface (8), at least in its upper part, so that the support portion or tablet therein extends beyond beyond the reservoir (7) so as to provide a lateral extending working surface stance substantially perpendicular to the length of the bowl (2), so that when the user is seated and his or her knees are positioned same side of the bowl (2), the side of the recess (13), the user is turned towards the upper part and offset tank (7) and its support portion or tablet.

2. An assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that said support portion or tablet is extended by a shelf (10) attached substantially in the same plane, extending from the most off-center portion of the tank (7) or its cover (9), in a direction substantially parallel to the length of the rear portion (2), so that the end of the shelf (10) opposite the most off-center portion of the tank (7) or its cover ( 9) is closer to the center of the cuvette hole (3) than the other end of said shelf (10).

3. An assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that at least one of the elements of the group:

- support size portion,

tablet-sized portion, tablet (10), has means for fixing to a wall and / or ground support means.

4. The assembly of claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the shelf (10) comprises gripping means forming handles (12), particularly for persons with reduced mobility for the installation and extraction operations on the bowl .

5. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the reservoir (7) or its cover (9) has gripping means forming handles (11).

6. The assembly of claim 5, characterized in that the gripping means (11) are integral with the reservoir (7) or its cover (9).

7. An assembly according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that said gripping means (11, 12) are shaped to further serve as anchoring points for holding devices in the user's position ( 29) reported.

8. An assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that the devices for maintaining the position of the user (29) reported are means formed of arms (30) rigid and articulated together so as to support a user on the whole and articulated to a base (31).

9. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reservoir (7) or its lid (9) or the rear portion (6) has an airbag (33) integrated in a housing provided for this purpose in the reservoir (7) or its cover (9) or the rear portion (6), and intended, when inflated, to support a user on the assembly (1), in particular a user with reduced mobility, inflation means for inflation of said cushion being provided in the assembly.

10. Assembly according to any one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that at least one of the elements of the group:

- support size portion,

- tablet size portion, - tablet (10), has at least one of the group means:

control means for starting a flush of the tank,

means for storing accessories (36), in particular a drawer,

- support means for an accessory device (37),

means for supplying electrical energy and / or connection to a telecommunications network for an accessory device (38),

control means for an accessory device (39), in particular a remote control for an electrical device,

- lighting means.