Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Adiustable Urinal
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an adjustable
urinal, and especially to a self-flushing adjustable
urinal that is unisexual in nature, i.e. may be used by
either males or females. The adjustable urinal may be a
stand alone unit or it may be associated with a
conventional toilet.
Backqround to the Invention
A variety of toilets, also known as water closets,
are known, and typically have a stationary receptacle
member for receiving liquid or solid human waste, with an
associated water tank. When used as a urinal, the
conventional toilet is typically used by sitting on the
seat that is provided as part of the toilet, or in the
case of males often by standing in front of the toilet
receptacle member and discharging directly into the
receptacle member. Use of a conventional toilet as a
urinal has a number of disadvantages, including the
splashing of urine from the toilet receptacle member onto
areas surrounding the toilet, especially when used by a
male, associated objectionable noises, difficulties in
use particularly by smaller individuals, e.g. children
who cannot reach the toilet receptacle member without
using a stool or other means of elevation, and the large
volume of water, e.g. up to about six gallons, for each
flushing of the toilet. In addition, installation of a
toilet requires a significant area in which to
accommodate the toilet and its associated water tank as
well as installation of the associated plumbing.
Moreover, the toilet and its tank are heavy, which must
be taken into account during installation.
A number of adjustable urinals have been developed
for use in association with a toilet and which may in
some instances be intended to be unisexual. For
instance, U.S. 4,137,579 of P.S. Soler describes a urine
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drain which has a housing attached to a flexible tube,
the drain part of which is discharged through the side of
the toilet receptacle member. The water inlet is
activated by a valve.
U.S. 5,153,947 of E.C. Markles discloses a urinal
that is rotated about a horizontal axis into the desired
position. It is believed that the receptacle is not
designed for females, and it is not variable in height.
The unit flushes only when the toilet flushes and the
amount of water used in flushing is not minimal.
U.S. 5,299,328 of W. Walega discloses a toilet that
includes a urinal disposed adjacent to the stationary
receptacle member of the toilet and which is movable
between a retracted position recessed into the tank of
the toilet receptacle member and a use position. It is
believed that the receptacle is not designed for females,
and the amount of water used in flushing is not minimal.
U.S. 5,390,374 of S.E. Hubrig, et al. has a
receptacle that does not drain until it is pushed up to a
height greater than the top of the toilet receptacle
member. Receptacle movement would seem to be awkward for
children, and the amount of water used in flushing is not
minimal or automatic.
A urinal that is more user-friendly, which uses a
minimal amount of water and could be automatic in
flushing, and which may be used in locations other than
adjacent to a toilet would be useful. It would be
advantageous if the urinal is unisexual.
SummarY of the Invention
A urinal has now been found that may be used in
locations other than adjacent to a toilet, and which may
be used by both males and females. The urinal is
adjustable in height and convenient to use.
Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention
provides a urinal for use by persons of either sex, said
urinal being comprised of a receptacle member and a tube,
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said receptacle member being pivotally mounted and
movable between a first position and a second position,
said first position being variable and said second
position being a retracted position,
said receptacle member being usable by a person for
the voiding of waste liquids therein when said receptacle
member is in the first position,
a tube located within the receptacle member and
adapted to be connected to a supply of water to said
receptacle member, said tube adapted to provide flushing
of the receptacle member with water, especially when the
receptacle member is in the first position,
said receptacle member being connected to a drain
for disposal of said waste liquids and water.
In embodiments of the urinal of the present
invention, the flushing may be continuous when the urinal
is in use or activated independent of such use.
Brief Description of the Drawinqs
The present invention will be particularly described
with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings
in which:
Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a side
view of an adjustable urinal;
Figure 2 is a schematic representation of an
adjustable urinal adjacent to a toilet;
Figure 3 is a schematic representation of a cross-
section of the housing of the adjustable urinal;
Figure 4 is a schematic representation of an
embodiment of the automatic self-flushing device of the
urinal;
Figure 5 is a schematic representation of an
embodiment of an alternate flushing mechanism;
Figure 6 is a schematic representation of an
embodiment of discharge of waste from the receptacle
member;
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Figure 7 is a schematic representation, in exploded
view, of an embodiment of a pivot mechanism used in the
adjustment of the urinal;
Figure 8 is a schematic representation, in exploded
view, of a tap used to connect the drain pipe to a drain;
and
Figure 9 is a schematic representation of an
alternate embodiment of the pivot mechanism.
Detailed DescriPtion of the Invention
Figure 1 shows an adjustable urinal, generally
indicated by 1. Adjustable urinal 1 has a housing 2
connected by urinal pipe 3 to pivot mechanism 4. An
embodiment of pivot mechanism 4 is shown in more detail
in Figure 7. Water inlet 5 is connected to urinal pipe 3
at the lower end thereof e.g. by tapping into urinal pipe
3, as is urinal drain 6.
Within urinal pipe 3, water inlet 5 is connected to
water pipe 7 which extends up urinal pipe 3 to a location
at the top of housing 2, as described in more detail
below. Water inlet 5 and water pipe 7 could be part of
the same pipe. Water pipe 7 is shown as located within
urinal pipe 3 and housing 2, but it could be located on
the outside of either or both of urinal pipe 3 and
housing 2. In the embodiment shown, urine receptacle
member 8 is located within housing 2 and is connected at
its lower end with drain pipe 9 that extends down and
within urinal pipe 3 and is connected to urinal drain 6.
Housing 2 and receptacle member 8 could be the same,
rather than separate entities as illustrated in this
embodiment i.e. housing 2 per se could be omitted. Drain
pipe 9 should have sufficient flexibility for pivoting of
the urinal, or otherwise adapted for such pivoting.
Housing 2 has lid 10, which is optional.
Nonetheless, as described herein, lid 10 may be utilized
in activation of the self-flushing mechanism for the
adjustable urinal. In the absence of lid 10, the self-
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flushing mechanism could be activated on movement of
housing 2 about pivot mechanism 4.
Figure 2 shows adjustable urinal 1 located in
association with a toilet, generally indicated by 20.
Toilet 20 has a toilet receptacle member 21 having lid 22
thereon. Toilet receptacle member 21 is connected to
stand 23 which is connected to base 24. Toilet 20 has
water tank 25 with tank lid 26, located behind and above
toilet receptacle member 21.
Water pipe 27 is shown as connected to water inlet 5
of adjustable urinal 1 as well as to water inlet 28 of
water tank 25. Water inlet 5 and water pipe 28 have
valves 29 and 30 which may be used to control the flow of
water to the adjustable urinal 1 and to water tank 25, or
to cut it off completely during installation or for other
reasons. It is understood that the location of the
valves with respect to the water pipes could be adjusted.
In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, drain 6 from
adjustable urinal 1 is shown as being fed to base 24 of
toilet 20. In this embodiment, which is shown in more
detail in Fig. 6, drain 6 is connected under base 24 into
the drain beneath toilet 20, using a spacing plate or
shim adapted to receive drain 6 and convey fluid to the
drain beneath the toilet. In other embodiments, drain 6
could be tapped into the side of stand 23 of toilet 20.
When adjustable urinal 1 is not used in association with
toilet 20, drain 6 would be fed to another source of
drainage for the urinal.
Figure 3 shows a cross-section of housing 2. Within
housing 2, water pipe 7 is shown as extending from urinal
pipe 3, not shown but located to the underside of housing
2, upwards within housing 2 to a location adjacent lid
10 .
In another embodiment, water pipe 7 enters
receptacle 8 near the bottom (see Fig. 5).
It is understood that the pipes referred to herein
might be rigid, but might also be flexible i.e. be more
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in the form of tubes or hoses. Lid 10 may open in any
direction, but it might be convenient to open lid 10 in a
sideways direction, based on the movement of the
adjustable urinal, rather than front to back, but this
will depend on the actual design of the urinal and its
intended location. Water pipe 7 is located within
housing 2 but not within receptacle member 8. Receptacle
member 8 extends from adjacent to lid 10 down to and
smoothly interconnecting with drain pipe 9, which as
shown in Figure 1 extends down urinal pipe 3. Urinal
pipe 3 and drain pipe 9 could be the same pipe.
Likewise, urinal drain 6 and drain pipe 9 could be the
same plpe.
Flushing tube 40 is located within receptacle member
8. Flushing tube 40 extends from water inlet connector
41 to water terminal 42. Water terminal 42 would
normally be a plug or other means of closing the end of
flushing tube 40. Water inlet connector 41 would
normally have a valve activated by the opening of lid 10,
such that water would pass from water inlet pipe 7
through water inlet connector 41 into flushing tube 40 on
opening of lid 10. Flushing tube 40 has one or more
orifices 43, of which two are shown in Figure 3.
Orifices 43 should be sufficient in number and located
such that receptacle member 8 is conveniently and
consistently flushed during the period when lid 10 is
open, without causing inconvenience to the user. In an
embodiment of the invention, flushing tube 40 could be
replaced with one or more spray heads or spray nozzles,
or other flushing devices.
Receptacle member 8 is shown as having trap 61
located in the bottom thereof, where receptacle member 8
merges into drain pipe 9. Trap 61 has a solid portion,
indicated by 62 having vents 63 therein through which
liquid may pass. Trap 61 is intended to prevent the
passage of solid material e.g. paper, into drain pipe 9,
in which it could cause a blockage. It is also
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understood that trap 61 could be shaped so that drain
pipe 9 extends up into trap 61, to a height above vents
63, thereby forming a liquid trap (not shown).
Figure 4 illustrates an example of the self-flushing
mechanism for adjustable urinal 1, although it is to be
understood that other valve means could be used to
achieve self-flushing of urinal 1 when in use. Water
inlet connector 41, which is shown in Figure 3, has inlet
box 44. Water pipe 7 enters inlet box 44, thereby
becoming flushing tube 40 which, in turn, passes from
inlet box 44 through box orifice 45 forming that part of
flushing tube 40 as shown in Figure 3. In the embodiment
of Figure 4, flushing tube 40 has tube bend 46 which is
intended to close off flushing tube 40 so that water does
not pass from water pipe 7 and into flushing tube 40 when
the adjustable urinal 1 is not in use. Lid 10 has lid
plate 47 extending therefrom and coming into contact with
flushing tube 40. Lid plate 47 is positioned such that
when lid 10 is in the closed position, lid plate 47
presses on flushing tube 40 and causes it to form tube
bend 46, thus stopping the flow of water through flushing
tube 40. While flushing tube 40 might be construed as
being flexible, it could be formed of pipe i.e. be
essentially rigid. It is understood that part of
flushing tube 40 having tube bend 46 could have different
properties e.g. be more flexible, than the remainder of
flushing tube 40.
Figure 5 illustrates an alternative flushing
mechanism that is activated by the opening of the lid 10,
by use of push button 106 or by the forward movement of
the receptacle 21. Using coupling 66, water inlet pipe 7
is connected to flushing tube 40 which houses spring 101
and ball 102. The interior of flushing tube 40 is shaped
so that ball 102 prevents the water from flowing. Push
rod 100 extends through the top of receptacle 21 and
through water terminal 42 and is used to move ball 102
and let water pass through. The push rod side of
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flushing tube 40 has a number of orifices 43 for
flushing. Shield 105 is attached to push rod 100 between
the receptacle 21 and water terminal 42 to prevent water
from exiting out of receptacle 21. In one embodiment,
the top of push rod 100 has push button 106 which may be
depressed in order to move push rod 100. In an
alternative embodiment, movement of lid 10 by, for
example, horizontal rotation, vertical rotation or
sliding, depresses push rod 100. Another alternative
embodiment utilizes forward movement of receptacle 21 to
depress push rod 100. A valve could be used to control
the flow of water to flushing tube 40.
Figure 6 shows a cross-section of drain pipe 9
connected under base 24 of a toilet receptacle member.
In the embodiment of Figure 6, stand 23 is attached to
floor 50 by means of nut and bolt combination 51. The
standard method of attaching toilet receptacle member to
a floor has been modified in the embodiment of Figure 6
by having drain 9 enter under base 24, using spacing
plate or shim 52 that is adapted to receive drain 9 and
convey fluid therefrom to toilet drain 53. Toilet drain
53 is a drain from toilet receptacle member 21 to a drain
system, e.g. the sewer. Drain pipe 9 extends under base
24, through spacing plate 52, so as to effect discharge
of urine and flushing water from adjustable urinal 1 into
toilet drain 53. In the absence of a toilet receptacle
member, it is understood that drain pipe 9 would be
connected to some other suitable source for discharge of
urine and water from adjustable urinal 1. Drain pipe 9
and its connection to a drain could utilize one or more
pipes for discharge of urine or water.
Figure 7 shows an exploded view of an embodiment of
pivot mechanism 4 of Figure 1 for use with the adjustable
urinal of the present invention. Urinal pipe 3 is
connected to an elbow 55. Elbow 55 is connected in turn
with rigid material 56 (shown in the form of a rod),
plate 57, non-compressible spring material 58, plate 59
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and adapter 60; adapter 60 may be in the form of a
threaded nipple. It is intended that the combination of
parts shown in the exploded view of Figure 7 would permit
urinal pipe 3 to be adjusted to a desired angle, as
required by positioning housing 2 in an acceptable
position, and to retain urinal pipe 3 at the angle that
has been set. The combination of the screw thread on
adapter 60 with the non-compressible spring material 58
would effect this ability to position adjustable urinal
1, i.e. the urinal pipe 3, in the desired position.
Other pivot mechanisms could be used.
Movement of elbow 55, or parts associated therewith
may be used to open or close a ball valve.
Figure 8 illustrates a tap that could be used to
connect urinal drain 6 to drain 64, using a coupling,
generally indicated by 66. Coupling 66 has opposed
wedge-shaped ends 67 and 68. Coupling 66 is hollow, to
allow passage of fluid from urinal drain 6 to drain 64.
Coupling 66 is coated with a suitable sealant or sealing
ring, not shown, before being pressed into orifice 65 in
drain 64. Wedge-shaped end 67 is of a shape and material
to enable the end to be pushed into orifice 65 and be
retained therein; in practice, end 67 may be pushed into
drain 64 to effect a good seal. The sealant provides a
seal against the leakage of liquid. Similarly, wedge-
shaped end 68 is inserted and sealed into urine drain 6.
While Figure 8 illustrates a tap being used directly
into a drain, 64, it is understood that a wedge shaped
flaring on the end of the drain line could be passed
through holes in the floor and drain pipe of the toilet.
A sealing hose would then be pushed over it and the
drain line pulled through the holes to complete a tap.
It is also to be understood that such tapping techniques
could be used to connect a source of water to the urinal.
The ends of the ball valve may be sealed and tapped into
using this method.
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Figure 9 illustrates a guide, 200, that may be used
with rigid material 56, plates 57, 59 and non-
compressible spring material 58.
In an alternate embodiment, rigid material 56
extends into adapter 60, or other male threaded fitting,
to contact non-compressible spring material 58, and
washers 57,59. Washer 59 is preferably curved.
Alternatively, washer 59 could be a pair of washers. In
another embodiment, washers 57, 59 are placed with the
non-compressible spring material 58 around the threaded
part of the adapter 60 or other appropriate male threaded
fitting. Other embodiments could be used. The guide can
be shaped at the end to connect to the opening handle of
a ball valve to turn the valve off and on with rotational
movement of elbow 55. In another embodiment, a ball
valve is screwed onto a nipple, after inserting a washer
and a plate into the female end of the ball valve. The
other end of the valve is also sealed. A rod connecting
the on/off lever of the valve to the stem enables the
movement of the stem to open and close the valve.
In use, a person pulls the housing down to an
acceptable height, and lifts (opens) the lid, if present,
on the housing. The housing remains at that height. The
self-flushing mechanism is activated, usually by the
opening of the lid although flushing could be activated
by movement of the housing to its use position. The
person then urinates in the receptacle member, and
returns the housing to its retracted or storage position.
The flushing of the receptacle member would normally
then cease, although in embodiments described herein
flushing could continue, preferably at a lower rate.
In the alternate embodiment of Figure 5, flushing
could be activated using the push button. Such flushing
would normally be independent of use of the urinal i.e.
activated by the user of the urinal. However, using the
same embodiment, opening of a lid on the receptacle could
open the valve and effect continuous flushing.
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Alternatively, movement of the receptacle to the first
position could open the valve and effect continuous
flushing.
The adjustable urinal of the present invention is a
free-standing urinal for both males and females. It uses
a unisexual configured small receptacle which is designed
to quietly capture urine without the usual splashing on
surrounding areas. The receptacle is attached to a pipe.
The pipe is attached to a 90~ elbow which in turn is
attached to an pivot mechanism that may be attached to
the floor, as has been shown in the drawings herein, or
to some other suitable location.
The receptacle may be raised or lowered to any
height and will remain there during use until the user
moves it. Therefore the invention is easily used by
toilet-trained people of all heights and ages including
children who, when using the conventional toilet to
urinate, have required help to reach the receptacle
member of the toilet.
In the embodiment that has been illustrated, the
lowering of the receptacle is enabled by the rotation of
the elbow on the pivot mechanism. The pivot mechanism
has a male thread that the female thread of the elbow
screws onto. The thread is preferably configured so that
as the receptacle member/housing is lowered the elbow is
tightened. To make the receptacle member stay at the
desired height, a non-compressible spring material is
compressed by the advancement of the elbow on the pivot
mechanism. The resulting force enables the receptacle
member to stay at the desired position. It is understood
that other means may be used to make the receptacle
member remain at the desired height.
In embodiments, the receptacle may be adapted to
move in a lateral motion, to facilitate use in tight or
awkward places. The receptacle shape may be varied for
the same reasons or, for instance, to be more user
friendly for physically challenged persons.
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In normal use in a household, the adjustable urinal
may be adapted to use approximately one gallon of water a
day to flush away voided urine.
The present invention has been described with
reference to a self-flushing mode, in which the urinal
flushes when the lid of the receptacle member is opened.
In this mode, flushing begins when the lid is opened and
stops when the lid is closed. In the embodiment
described in the drawings, the rate of flow of water is
controlled by folding a flexible tube. The water flow is
shut off by folding the tube tightly and turned on by
unfolding the tube slightly. The rate of flow of water
may be further controlled by use of a valve in the inlet
water pipe, as described herein. Alternate methods of
control of flow of flushing water may be used. For
example, the movement of a lid or of the receptacle per
se could be used to open the valve of the embodiment
shown in Figure 5. For instance, such movement could
depress the push rod and so open the valve.
Alternatively, a push button could be used to open the
valve, on demand, e.g. by depressing the push rod.
In another embodiment, the movement in the pivot
mechanism may be used to turn a ball valve on and off.
In another embodiment, the water flushes constantly
through the receptacle member at a very slow rate i.e. at
no time is the flow of water shut off. The actual rate
of water flow can be adjusted by the user, if desired, by
use of the valve described herein. In a variation, it is
understood that a combination of methods could be used,
in which there is a constant flow of water but the flow
of water is increased when the lid is opened.
The water is released through holes in the flushing
tube in the receptacle. A variety of flow patterns could
be used.
The receptacle member is drained using a pipe that
extends from the bottom of the receptacle member. As
described herein, the pipe may be fed directly to a
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suitable drain. Alternatively, the pipe may be fed into
the toilet, either under the base in the toilet, as
described, or by tapping into the stand or base of the
toilet or into some other drainage means. In a further
embodiment, the urinal of the invention may be integral
with a toilet, not merely drained into a toilet drain.
It is understood that the drainage from the
receptacle member to the drain may include a trap, as is
known, to prevent odours from the drain from passing back
up to the receptacle member.
The invention requires simple connections to the
drainage system and a fresh water plumbing system and
therefore can easily be installed in any room of a
building, especially when compared to the installation of
a conventional or specially configured toilet or urinal.
The present invention provides a urinal that may be
used by both sexes, as well as by children. It may be
located adjacent to a toilet or at another location that
has a supply of water for flushing and a drain. It is
easy to use.
As it will be appreciated, solid discs of scent may
be used with the urinal. Sanitary covers may also be
used. The urinal could also be fitted with a bidet.
The urinal may be fabricated using the parts
described herein. However, it will be understood by
persons skilled in the art that some such parts may be
integrally manufactured as a unit e.g. by injection or
blow moulding. For example, the receptacle, stem and
plastic adapter may be manufactured as an integral unit.
A variety of materials may be used to fabricate the
urinal or parts thereof, including fibreglass, polyvinyl
chloride or polyethylene.
The present invention is illustrated by the
following examples.
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EXAMPLE I
A water system of Figure 5 was tested at water
pressures of between about 145 and 160 psi, using the
embodiment in which constant flushing was achieved on
movement of the push rod.
The system was operate by 25 000 cycles without
visible signs of any failure.
EXAMPLE II
A pivot mechanism utilizing a bolt that extends
through the elbow and through a guide having plates and
polyurethane non-compressible spring material, with the
last plate contacting a threaded nipple, was tested
through 25 000 cycles without visible signs of failure.
EXAMPLE III
A total of 126 taps of a type disclosed herein were
connected to a fresh-water plumbing line at a pressure
of 150 pSi. There were no signs of failure i.e. no signs
of leakage.
