Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
2189083
FLUSH POT ASSEMBLY FOR USER REQUIRING CARE-TAKING
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a flush pot assembly for
users requiring care-taking, which is installed in home, a
hospital room or the like inhabited by a disabled person or
a patient requiring care-taking such that it is
accommodated in an accommodation space outside the room
when it is not used and can be taken out smoothly when
using it.
2. PRIOR ART
A movable simplified pot which is used by being seated
on it for urination and emptying, is conventionally
provided in a room inhabited by a disabled person or a
patient, who can not easily go by walking to the toilette.
Where such a pot is provided, it is necessary to wash
the pot after use and also provide de-odorizing and
ventilation, requiring great labor of the care-taker.
Besides, the presence of the pot in the room so that the
pot is seen by people in the room is undesired view of the
freedom from undesired odor and the comfortable layout,
cleanliness and effective space utility of the room.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
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CA 02189083 2001-08-29
A first object of the present invention is to provide a
pot, which is accommodated and concealed in an
accommodation space outside the room when it is not used
and can be easily accessed by a disabled person or patient
as well as the care-taker when it is to be used, thus
suppressing undesired odor as much as possible and
maintaining a clean and sanitary environment even in the
room, in which the pot is used by the disabled person or
patient.
A second object of the present invention is to provide a
pot, which is not present in the room and provides for a
broader dwelling space when it is not being used.
A third object of the present invention is to provide a pot
assembly, which, unlike the conventional movable simplified
pot, employs a flush pot and can minimize the necessary
labor of the care-taker.
The present invention provides a flush pot assembly for
individuals requiring caretaking, the flush pot assembly
comprising a door adapted to be movably mounted in an
opening formed in a wall of a room, wherein the door
constitutes a portion of the room wall when mounted in the
wall opening, a pot integrally connected to a back side of
the door such that the pot is moveable with the door, and a
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CA 02189083 2001-08-29
water tank integrally connected to the back side of the
door such that the water tank is moveable with the door,
the water tank being in fluid communication with the pot.
The flush pot assembly also comprises a flexible water
supply hose fluidly connected to the water tank for
delivering water to the water tank from a water supply, and
a flexible drain hose fluidly connected to the pot, wherein
the pot is moved to a use position on a first side of the
room wall when the door is moved to an open position,
wherein the pot is moved to a storage position on a second
side of the room wall when the door is moved to a closed
position, and wherein the water tank remains on the second
side of the room wall in both the open and closed positions
of the door.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a first embodiment of the
flush pot assembly according to the invention with a pot in
an accessed state;
FIG. 2 is a side view showing the flush pot assembly shown
in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a second embodiment of the
flush pot assembly according to the invention with a
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pot in a taken-out state;
Fig. 4 is a plan view, partly in section, showing a
third embodiment of the flush pot assembly according to the
invention with a pot in a taken-out state;
Fig. 5 is a side view showing the flush pot assembly
shown in Fig. 4;
Fig. 6 is a side view, partly in section, showing the
flush pot assembly shown in Fig. 4;
Fig. 7 is a sectional view showing the third
embodiment of the flush pot assembly with the pot in an
accommodated state;
Fig. 8 is a plan view, partly in section, showing a
fourth embodiment of the flush pot assembly according to
the invention with a pot in a taken-out state;
Fig. 9 is a side view, partly in section, showing the
fourth embodiment of the flush pot assembly with the pot in
the taken-out state;
Fig. 10 is a plan view, partly in section, showing a
fifth embodiment of the flush pot assembly according to the
invention with a pot in a taken-out state;
Fig. 11 is a side view showing the fifth embodiment of
the flush pot assembly with the pot in the taken-out state;
Fig. 12 is a side view, partly in section, showing the
fifth embodiment of the flush pot assembly when the pot is
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2189083
being accommodated;
Fig. 13 is a plan view, partly in section, showing a
sixth embodiment of the flush pot assembly according to the
invention with a pot in a taken-out state;
Fig. 14 is a side view showing the sixth embodiment of
the flush pot assembly with the pot in the taken-out state;
Fig. 15 is a plan view, partly in section, showing a
seventh embodiment of the flush pot assembly according to
the invention with a pot in a taken-out state;
Fig. 16 is a side view showing the seventh embodiment
of the flush pot assembly with the pot in the taken-out
state;
Fig. 17 is a view illustrating the seventh embodiment
of the flush pot assembly with the provision of a balance
weight;
Fig. 18 is a plan view, partly in section, showing an
eighth embodiment of the flush pot assembly with a pot in a
taken-out state; and
Fig. 19 is a side view, partly in section, showing the
eighth embodiment of the flush pot assembly with the pot in
the taken-out state.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be
described with reference to the drawings.
218908
Figs. 1 and 2 show a first embodiment of the flush pot
assembly according to the invention. Reference numeral 1
in the Figures designates the wall of a room in home, a
hospital, etc. inhabited by a disabled person or a patient
requiring care-taking. Referring to Fig. 1, on the right
side of the wall 1 is the room la inhabited by the disabled
person or patient. On the left side of the wall 1 is a
closet, a toilette, a separate room, etc. as a pot
accommodation space lb used when the flush pot assembly is
not used. Reference numeral 2 designates a door, which
constitutes part of the wall 1 in its closed state. For
its opening and closing, the door 2 is rotatable about its
fulcrum, which is supported in a bearing 3 provided in the
wall 1. The door 2 has a knob 5.
The door 2 carries a base 6 with a pot 7 provided
thereon, the base 6 extending rearwardly and horizontally
from its lower end.
Reference numeral 8 designates a back plate which is
provided on the back side of the pot 7 and coupled to the
door 2 and also to the base 6. The back plate 8 has a
washing water tank 9 provided on its back side for
accommodating washing water. Washing water can be supplied
from the washing water tank g through a washing water
supply pipe 10 to the pot 7.
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2189083
Reference numeral 11 is a water supply pipe leading to
the outside, and a flexible water supply hose 12, for
instance a rubber hose, is connected between the water
supply pipe 11 and the washing water tank 9.
Reference numeral 13 is a draining pipe leading to the
outside. A bellows-like flexible draining hose 14 is
connected between the draining pipe 13 and the pot 7.
Reference numeral 15 designates casters mounted on the
underside of the base 6. These casters 15 can roll over
the floor to facilitate the movement of the pot 7.
Reference numeral 16 is a grip, which is to be gripped
by the person using the pot 7 when seating thereon or
standing up. The grip i6 is mounted on the back plate 8.
The flush pot assembly in this embodiment is used as
follows. For taking out the pot 7 in the accommodated
state in the accommodation space 1b as shown by the phantom
lines in Fig. 1 into the room 1a, the grip 5 of the door 2
is pulled toward the front. The door 2 is thus turned
about its right side fulcrum and opened, whereby the pot 7
is brought into the room 1a. The movement of the pot 7
causes bending, extension or contraction of the flexible
water supply hose 12 and the flexible draining hose 14.
This gives rise to no trouble because the two hoses are
both flexible.
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289083
After its use, the pot 7 is washed with washing water
discharged from the washing water tank 9 by operating a
lever (not shown). Thereafter, the door 2 is closed by
pushing it, thus accommodating the pot 7 to be in the
initial position thereof outside the room la.
Fig. 3 shows a second embodiment of the invention. In
this flush pot assembly, the washing water tank 9 is
provided on the back surface of the wall 1, and a flexible
water supply hose 17 is connected between the washing water
tank 9 and the pot 7. The water supply pipe 11 is directly
secured to the washing water tank g. The bellows-like
flexible draining hose 14 is connected between the draining
pipe 13 and~the pot 7.
The pot 7 is brought into the room 1a by opening the
door 2 and is accommodated in the pot accommodation space
lb by closing the door 2. The movement of the pot 7 causes
bending, extension or contraction of the flexible water
supply hose 17 and the flexible draining hose 14. However,
this causes no trouble because the two hoses are both
flexible.
Figs. 4 to 7 show a third embodiment of the invention.
Reference numeral 18 in these Figures designates a pot
accommodation box for accommodating the flush pot. The pot
accommodation box 18 may be provided in a room or installed
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in a closet or the like. The door 2 can rotatably open and
close a front opening of the pot accommodation box 18. A
washing water tank 9 is provided such that it is integral
with the top of the pot 7. A suitable number of ball
bearings 19 are embedded in the bottom 20 of the pot
accommodation box 18 to ensure ready and smooth movement of
the base 6 in the pot accommodation box 18. Where the
upper surface of the bottom 20 is smooth, no ball bearing
may be necessary. The grip 16 for helping the user is
mounted on the back plate 8.
The water supply hose 12, for instance a rubber hose,
is connected between the water supply pipe 11 and the
washing water tank 9. The bellows-like draining hose 14 is
connected between the draining pipe 13 and the pot 7.
The pot 7 is taken out of the pot accommodation box 18
by opening the door 2 and accommodated therein by closing
the door 2.
The movement of the pot 7 causes bending, extension
and contraction of the flexible water supply hose 12 and
the flexible draining hose 14, but this gives rise to no
trouble because these two hoses are both flexible.
Figs. 8 and 9 show a fourth embodiment of the
invention. Reference numeral 21 in these Figures
designates a pot accommodation box. The door 2 is provided
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in front of the pot accommodation box 21, and it carries
the base 6 with the pot 7 provided thereon and aside it.
The base 6 extends horizontally rearwardly from the lower
end of the door 2, and it is capable of forward and
reARward sliding over the bottom 22 of the pot
accommodation box 21. Like the preceding third embodiment,
this pot accommodation box 21 may be provided in a room or
installed in a closet or the like with the door 2 exposed
to a room.
On the back of the pot 7, a side plate 8 extends
upright from the base 6, and the grip 16 for helping the
user is mounted on the side plate 8. Casters 15 are
mounted on the underside of the front end of the base 6,
and can roll over the floor. Reference numeral 23
designates a partitioning wall, which partitions the inside
of the pot accommodation box 21 with respect to the pot 7.
The flexible water supply hose 12, for instance a
rubber hose, is connected between the water supply pipe 11
and the washing water tank 9, and the bellows-like flexible
draining hose 14 is connected between the draining pipe 13
and the pot 7.
By pulling the door 2 toward the front, the pot
accommodation box 21 is opened, and the pot 7 is taken out.
The pot 7 is accommodated in the pot accommodation box 21
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by pushing the door 2 toward the pot accommodation box 21.
The movement of the pot 7 causes bending, extension or
contraction of the flexible water supply hose 12 and the
flexible draining Hose 14, but this gives rise to no
trouble because the two hoses are both flexible.
Figs. 10 to 12 show a fifth embodiment of the
invention. Reference numeral 24 in these Figures
designates a pot accommodation box. The door 2 is provided
in front of the pot accommodation box 24, and it carries
the base 6 with the pot 7 provided thereon and directed
toward it. The base 6 extends horizontally rearwardly from
the lower end of the door 2 and is capable of forward and
rearward sliding over the bottom 25 of the pot
accommodation box 25. The door 2 is normally closing the
front side of the pot 7 and constitutes an obstacle when
the pot 7 is used. Accordingly, the door 2 is hinged by a
hinge 26 to the side plate 8 so that it can open the front
side of the pot 7.
The casters 15 are mounted on the underside of front
end of the base 6 and can roll over the floor. The
partitioning wall 23 partitions the inside of the pot
accommodation box 24 from the side of the pot 7, and the
grip 16 for helping the user is mounted on the partitioning
wall 23.
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218083
The flexible water supply hose 12, for instance a
rubber hose, is connected between the water supply pipe 11
and the washing water tank g, and the bellows-like flexible
draining hose 14 is connected between the draining pipe 13
and the pot 7.
By opening the door 2 toward the front and pulling out
the pot 7 together with the door 2 and the base 6, the
flush pot assembly is made ready for use. By closing the
door 2 and pushing the pot 7 into the pot accommodation box
24, the pot 7 is accommodated, and the pot accommodation
box 24 is closed. The movement of the pot 7 causes
bending, extension or contraction of the flexible water
supply hose 12 and the flexible draining hose 14, this
gives rise to no trouble because the two hoses are both
flexible.
Figs. 13 and 14 show a sixth embodiment of the
invention. Reference numeral 27 in these Figures a pot
accommodation box, which has such a size that it can be
installed under a bed 28. Like the previous third
embodiment, the door 2 is pivoted to a side wall of the
frame of the bed 28 with the pot accommodation box 27
installed under the top member of the bed frame. The
washing water tank 9 is provided on a wall of the bed frame
outside the pot accommodation box 27. A bellows-like
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flexible water supply hose 29 is connected between the
washing water tank 9 and the pot 7 and on the side thereof.
Reference numeral 30 designates a switch provided on
the grip 16. By operating the switch 30, an
electromagnetic valve 31 provided on the water supply hose
29 is opened, causing washing water to flow from the
washing water tank 9 into the pot 7. The bellows-like
flexible draining hose 14 is connected between the draining
pipe 13 and the pot 7.
When the pot 7 is taken out from and put into the pot
accommodation box 27 by opening and closing the door 2, the
flexible water supply hose 29 and the flexible draining
hose 14 are bent, extended or contracted, but this gives
rise to no problem because the two hoses are both flexible.
Figs. 15 to 17 show a seventh embodiment of the
invention. Reference numeral 32 in these Figures
designates a pot accommodation box. The door 2 is provided
in front of the pot accommodation box 32 and pivotally
supported by a shaft 33 provided at the lower end of the
pot accommodation box 32. In its closed state the door 2
extends upright from the floor, and in its open state it is
horizontal and in close contact with the floor. The pot 7
is integral with the back surface of the door 2, so that it
can be used in the open state of the door 2. An upright
2 ~ ~~os~
partitioning wall 23 partitions the inside of the pot
accommodation box 32 with respect to the side of the pot 7,
and the grip 16 is mounted on the partitioning wall 23.
The washing water tank 9 is mounted on an inner wall
surface of the pot accommodation box 32, and a bellows-like
flexible water supply hose 17 is connected between the
water washing tank 9 and the pot 7. By operating the
switch 30 provided on the grip 16, the electromagnetic
valve 31 provided on the water supply hose 17 is opened to
cause washing water to flow from the washing water tank 9
into the tank 7.
After it has been used, the pot 7 can be accommodated
in the pot accommodation box 32 by turning it about the
shaft 33 such as to raise it. By so doing, the front of
the pot accommodation box 32 is closed by the door 2.
Reference numeral 34 in Fig. 17 designates a balance
weight which may be provided, if necessary, underneath the
floor to facilitate the operation of turning the door 2 and
the pot 7. The balance weight has a stem suspended from a
shaft arm 35 which is integral with the shaft 33 supporting
the door.
Figs. 18 and 19 show an eighth embodiment of the
invention. Reference numeral 36 in these Figures
designates a pot accommodation box which is installed under
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the floor. The door 2 is mounted on the rear end of the
base 6 with the pot 7 provided thereon such that it is
perpendicular to the base 6. In its closed state, the door
2 is closing the top of the pot accommodation box 36 and
constituting part of the floor. It is opened by turning it
about the shaft 33 to be perpendicular to the floor. The
base 6 is supported by the shaft 33 which is provided on
the floor, and can be turned in unison with the door 2.
In the closed state of the door 2, the pot 7 and the
base 6 are accommodated in the pot accommodation box 36.
In the open state of the door 2, the base 6 is held
horizontally at the top of the pot accommodation box 36,
and the pot 7 is ready for use. Reference numeral 37
designates a stopper for holding the base 6 in the
horizontal state. Reference numeral 3$ is a stopper for
holding the base 6 in an accommodated position.
A bellows-like, partly flexible water supply hose 17
is connected between the washing water tank 9 which is
secured to the floor and the pot 7, so that washing water
can be supplied form the washing water tank 9 to the pot 7.
The bellows-like flexible draining hose 14 is
connected between the draining pipe 14 which extends
underneath the floor and the pot 7.
After it has been used, the pot 7 can be accommodated
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in the pot accommodation box 36 by detaching the stopper 37
from the base 6 and downwardly turning it about the shaft
33. At this time, the top of the pot accommodation box 36
is closed by the door 2.
By installing the flush pot assembly having the
construction as described above according to the invention
in a closet or the like of a room in home or a hospital
room, which is inhabited by a disabled person or a patient
requiring care-taking, the pot which is accommodated in the
space outside the room when it is not used, can be taken
out smoothly and as desired for use by the disabled person
or the patient as well as the care-taker. Besides, the pot
is not present in the room when it is not used, thus
providing for a broader dwelling space. Further, undesired
odor in the room can be reduced to reduce the necessity of
ventilation or the like, and a clean and sanitary
environment can be maintained in the room.
The flush pot assembly according to the invention also
can be used commonly in two adjacent rooms in home or a
hospital, one of which is inhabited by a disabled person or
a patient requiring care-taking, by installing it in a
space between the two rooms. It is further possible to use
the flush pot assembly commonly in a usual toilette in home
or in a hospital and a room, which is inhabited by a
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disabled person or a patient requiring care-talking, by
installing it in the wall between the toilette and the
room.
With the pot of the flush pot assembly according to
the invention accommodated in the pot accommodation box for
being taken out as desired, it is possible to install the
assembly in a closet or the like of a room without need of
greatly modifying the room.
Since the pot itself is the flush pot, manual washing
of the pot, de-odorizing or ventillation is substantially
unnecessary, thus extremely reducing the labor of care-
taking by the care-taker.
Moreover, the flush pot assembly according to the
invention can be utilized as a portable flush pot assembly
so long as the place where it is to be used is provided
with water supply and draining equipment.
