GB2047302A - Preventing splashing from water closets and urinals - Google Patents

Abstract

A W.C. pan or urinal is provided with means such as nozzle 50 for producing a curtain of water or air across its open top when in use as a urinal, the water or air curtain acting as a shield to prevent splatter from the pan. As shown the nozzle 50 is connected to the cistern supply pipe 16 through a valve 40 which is opened whenever the W.C. seat is lifted. In a modification the nozzle 50 is replaced by a horizontally-slotted ring pipe around the inside of the pan under its flushing rim. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Means for producing a fluid splash shield for commodes, urinals or the like The present invention relates to water closets, urinals, and the like, and more particularly to a fluid splatter shield for use in conjunction with toilet bowls and urinals for preventing the urine from splattering out of the toilet bowl or urinal.

In the course of urinating into a toilet bowl or urinal, it is not unusual for the urine to splatter out of the commode or urinal onto the surrounding walls and floor area. This is especially so where the individual urinating is a male. Besides the odor and generally unsanitary conditions brought about, the urine damages the surrounding walls and floor giving rise to discoloration and causing paint, enamel and other surfaces to chip or peel.

This problem has been recognised in the past.

For example, see United States Patents 3,486,172; 2,931,047; 3,931,649; 156,980 and 4,106,131. Generally the problem of urine splatter has been dealt with by providing a structural splatter guard that is designed to be attachable to the top portion of a toilet bowl or urinal. For most part, structural splatter guards such as disclosed in Unites States 2,931,047 and 3,931,649, have not been really effective because they still leave the top of the toilet bowl or urinal open. In addition, such splatter guards are undesirable since they, like the toilet bowl, require cleaning periodically, and this is troublesome and inconvenient.

In United States Patent 156,980, there is disclosed a very early urinal that illustrates flushing the urinal by directing a downward release of water. It is to be understood that this is for the purpose of flushing and cleaning the urinal.

It does not function as a urine splatter shield, nor was it designed as such.

The present invention entails a toilet bowl or urinal having means associated therewith for selectively producing a fluid shield generally horizontally across the inlet top area of a commode or urinal. In one embodiment, a water shield produced extends above and over the bottom area of the commode or urinal such that urine directed into the commode or urinal must pass through the water shield. Consequently, the water shield serves as a urinal splatter guard or shield since urine impinging on the water or upon the side wall structure of the commode or urinal cannot splatter back upwardly through the water shield and out the commode or urinal.

In a toilet bowl embodiment, the water splatter shield device of the present invention entails an annular ring type pipe that extends around the upper top portion of the commode, preferably adjacent the flush rim of the toilet bowl. For exhausting water out of the annular ring type conduit pipe, the same is provided with a continuous slit about the inside of the annular ring type conduit such that when water is supplied under pressure to the annular ring type pipe, it follows that the water is continuously exhausted or dispersed inwardly from conduit or pipe through the slit opening. The dispersed water from the annular ring type pipe forms a relatively thin water shield that extends generally horizontally across the top portion of the toilet bowl above the normal water level within the bottom of the toilet bowl.

In another embodiment, the water splatter shield device of the present invention includes a nozzle assembly disposed in the vicinity of the top opening of the commode or toilet bowl, and is adapted to emit a volume of water across the top of the commode in a shield like form. This effectively forms the urine splatter shield.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a urine splatter guard for a commode or urinal that will tend to prevent urine from splattering out of the commode or urinal onto the surrounding wall and floor area of a bathroom.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a device for forming a urine splatter shield or guard that requires little, if any, cleaning and which neatly adapts to the commode or urinal without physically or aesthetically encumbering the commcde or urinal.

More particularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a toilet bowl or urinal with means for selectively producing a fluid splatter shield such as a water or air shield, as compared to a purely physical splatter guard, about the toilet bowl or urinal for preventing urine from splattering out of the toilet bowl or urinal.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a study of the following description of some preferred embodiments thereof, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a water closet having the water splatter shield of the present invention incorporated therein; Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along the lines 2-2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an enlarged side elevational view of the water closet of Figs. 1 and 2 with a portion of the toilet bowl and seat shown in section to better illustrate the embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of a water closet, similar to Fig. 3, except that therein the device of the present invention for producing the water splatter shield is integrally constructed within the toilet bowl itself;; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a nozzle or nozzle assembly of another embodiment for producing a urine splatter shield; and Fig. 6 is a side view, partially in section, illustrating the nozzle assembly mounted within a commode.

With reference to the drawings, particularly Figs. 1 through 3, a water closet is shown therein and indicated generally by the numeral 10. Water closet 10 basically comprises a base portion 11 that has a toilet bowl 1 2 integrally formed therewith, and wherein the water closet 10 further includes a tank portion 14. Details of the tank portion 14, the plumbing and controls therein, and the flush system is not dealt with herein in detail because such is not material per se to the present invention and further because such is conventional and well appreciated in the prior art. However, as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, there is shown a water inlet line 1 6 which is directed to tank 14 and functions to direct water from a water source (not shown) to tank 14 of water closet 1 0.

Briefly reviewing toilet bowl 12, it is seen that the same includes a lower flush outlet 20 about the bottom thereof, and as seen in Fig. 3, the bottom of the toilet bowl is adapted to normally contain a volume of water therein. A flush rim 18 surrounds the upper top portion of the toilet bowl 12 and as seen in Figs. 2 and 3, the flush rim 1 8 projects inwardly from the side retaining wall structure of the toilet bowl 12.

Pivotably mounted just above and slightly rearwardly of the flush rim 1 8 is a seat 22 and a top 24, with both the seat 22 and top 24 being pivotably mounted to a bracket assembly 26 by a pivot pin 28.

The present invention particularly entails the provision of means for providing a water splash shield or guard about the open top inlet area of the toilet bowl 12. The means for producing water splash shield or guard means is referred to generally by the numeral 30 in the drawings.

Viewing the system of the present invention for producing the water splash shield, in the case of the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 through 3, an annular pipe 32 is disposed about the upper area of the toilet bowl 1 2 just beneath the lower inwardly projecting edge of the flush rim 1 8. The annular pipe 32 in this embodiment extends entirely around the toilet bowl 12 and includes a continuous thin slit 34 formed about the inside area of the annular pipe 32. Thus, once water is directed into the annular pipe, under pressure, it is seen that water is exhausted or dispersed out of the continuous slit opening 34 to form a continuous shield or water, indicated by numeral 36, interiorly within the bounds of the annular pipe or water receiving channel 32.

As shown in Fig. 2 it is seen that the water shield is generally formed above the normal level of the water contained within the toilet bowl 12, and further that the water shield 36 extends generally horizontally across the open top area of the toilet bowl 12.

For supplying water to the annular pipe 32, an inlet water line 38 is teed into the water supply line 1 6 and routed generally upwardly therefrom to where the inlet line 38 is directed over the flush rim 1 8 about the rear edge of the toilet bowl 12, between the flush rim 1 8 and seat 22, to where the inlet water line 38 is teed into the annular pipe 32.

Operatively associated with the inlet water line 38 is a valve 40 that includes an actuator 42, that in the case of the present embodiment, is disposed and aligned such that the same is actuated by the movement of seat 22 from its normal horizontal position to an upright elevated position, shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3. Valve 40 could be of the type that is adapted to remain open in a predetermined time after actuation, or in the alternative, valve 40 could simply be actuated on and off by moving the same 22 between its normal horizontal position and its elevated upright position.

It should be noted that annular pipe 32 could be mounted and held in place within the toilet bowl 12 by appropriate mounting means.

Alternatively, the inlet water line 38 may be rigid enough to support the annular pipe 32 in a suspended posture.

Turning to Fig. 4, a second embodiment of the present invention is illustrated, and in this case the system for producing the water splash shield is essentially the same as that described hereinabove, with the exception that the means for dispersing the water to form the water shield is integrally formed within the flush rim 18 of the toilet bowl 12. More particularly, as illustrated in Fig. 4, formed continuously around the flush rim 1 8 is an open annular water housing or receiving channel 44 that is adapted to receive water through inlet line 38. The annular housing or receiving channel 44 is open by a continuous outlet slit 46 that extends around the entire area of the flush rim 18.Consequently, as described hereinabove, with respect to Figs. 1 through 3, the selected actuation of valve 40 causes water to be directed from inlet line 38 into the annular housing 44 where the water is dispersed generally horizontally across the open top area of the toilet bowl 12 as the water is being dispersed or exhausted out a continuous slit 46 around the entire flush tim 1 8.

Another alternative as illustrated in Fig. 4, and this deals with the provision of a booster pump 48 operatively connected within the inlet water line 38. In certain cases, the pressure of the water in line 1 6 might not be sufficient for producing the water splatter shield of the present invention, and so, therefore, a booster pump 48 could be utilised to increase the pressure sufficiently enough to form the water splatter shield.

Another embodiment of the urine splatter shield device of the present invention comprises a nozzle assembly indicated generally by the numeral 50 and particularly illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6. Nozzle assembly 50, as shown herein, is oriented about the rear top portion of the toilet bowl 1 2 and is designed and adapted to emit shield of water across the open top of the commode or toilet bowl in like manner to the embodiments disclosed hereinabove.

Nozzle assembly 50 could even be integrally constructed with switch 40 from which the same may extend downwardly therefrom to a position adjacent the inner side rim 18 of the commode.

Viewing the nozzle assembly 50 in more detail, it is seen that the same includes a housing structure 52 that is communicatively connected through valve 40 to a supply of water. Forming a part of nozzle assembly 50 is a nozzle lip type opening 54 that is designed so as to span in such a manner that when oriented in the top opening of the bowl 12 that the same is actuated to emit a shield of water across the open top portions of the bowl 12. Generally it is contemplated that the nozzle opening 54 could be of a generally arcuate shape so as to emit a continuous volume of water across the open tp of the bowl 12.

Since the nozzle assembly 50 is communicatively connected to the valve 40 that is actuated by the commode seat 22, it is appreciated that the raising of the commode seat 22 from its horizontal position to its upward vertical position results in the valve 40 being open and consequently water being dispersed out of the nozzle opening 54.

Once actuated, the nozzle assembly 50 serves the same basic function as the other embodiments discussed hereinabove. This function is to emit a thin shield of water, in a continuous spray, across the top opening of the toilet bowl 12. This continuous spray or shield of water prohibits the urine from splattering from the bottom of the bowl 12 upwardly through the top opening and on to the surrounding floor and walls around the water closet 10.

The above discussion has dealt with producing a water splatter shield for a toilet bowl. But it is understood and appreciated that the very same means could be utilized in conjunction with a urinal or other type of urine receptacle for forming a water shield about the inlet area of the same.

The principal requirement for an effective system is that thrh water shield be such that urine directed into the toilet bowl or the urinal be constrained to pass thrcugh the water splatter shield, and that the water splatter shield be oriented with respect to the toilet bowl 1 2 r the urinal such that any urine tending to splatter will be directed back toward the water shield. It is appreciated that the presence of the continuous water shield, which is essentially a relatively thin sheet of water being continuously dispersed across a given area would act to intercept or prohibit urine from splattering out the toilet bowl or the urinal through the water shield.

The present invention further contemplates that the splatter shield could be formed by any other suitable fluid such as air. In the case of air, an air source would provide air under pressure that would be selectively directed to the annular ring housing 30 or nozzle 52 and dispersed out the opening 32 or 54 to form a generally horizontal air shield that would serve the same basic function as the water discussed hereinabove.

From the foregoing discussion, it is seen that the present invention presents a very useful and effective means for preventing urine from splattering from a toilet bowl or a urinal onto surrounding walls or the surrounding floor area of a bathroom where such is iocated. The system of the present invention is effective, efficient, but yet is relatively simple, inexpensive, and easy to maintain as the same would not require cleaning in the same manner as would be required and expected with a purely structural splatter shield or guard.

The terms "upper", "lower", "rearward", etc.

have been used herein merely for the convenience of the foregoing specification in the appended claims to describe the means for producing the water splash shield and its parts as oriented in the drawings. It is to be understood, however, that these terms are in no way limiting to the invention since the means for producing the water splash shield may obviously be disposed in many different positions when in actual use.

The present invention, of course, may be carried out in other specific ways than those herein set forth without departing from the spirit and essential characteristics of the invention. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive and all changes coming within the meaning and equivalency range of the appended Claims are intended to be embraced therein.

Claims (14)

1. A system for producing a fluid splash shield for a toilet type urine receptacle having a bottom, a side retaining wall structure, and an outlet for urine and flush water to exit therefrom, said fluid splash guard system comprising; an inlet fluid line communicatively connected to a fluid source; means communicatively connected to said inlet fluid line and disposed above and over the bottom of said toilet type urine receptacle for selectively directing a volume of fluid generally horizontally over and above the bottom of said urine receptacle to form a fluid splash shield that prevents urine from splattering upwardly from the bottom of said urine receptacle- and valve means operatively interconnected between said source of fluid and said fluid splash shield means for selectively directing fluid from said fluid source through said inlet fluid line into said means for producing the fluid splash shield.

2.. A system for producing a fluid splash shield as claimed in Claim 1 wherein said fluid is water and wherein said means for producing said fluid splash shield comprises: a water receiving channel that extends around a substantial portion of the toilet type urine receptacle above the bottom thereof, and wherein said water receiving channel; is provided with outlet opening means about the inside area thereof for directing water therefrom to form a water splatter shield over and above the bottom of said urine receptacle.

3. A system of producing a water splash shield as claimed in Claim 2 wherein said water receiving channel includes an annular conduit disposed over the bottom of said urine receptacle, and wherein said outlet opening means if formed around substantially the entire area of said annular conduit such that once actuated water flows inwardly from the inside are of said annular conduit so as to form a continuous water shield interiorly of said annular conduit.

4. A water shield system as claimed in Claim 3, wherein said outlet opening means comprises a continuous slit formed substantially about the entire interior side portion of said annular conduit.

5. A water splash shield as claimed in Claim 4, wherein said annular conduit is mounted interiorly of said urine receptacle generally overlying the bottom thereof.

6. A water splash shield as claimed in Claim 4, wherein said annular conduit is integrally formed in the side wall structure of said urine receptacle so as to generally overlie the bottom thereof.

7. A water splash shield as claimed in Claim 4 wherein said urine receptacle includes a seat movable between a horizontal position and a vertical position, and wherein said valve means is disposed with respect to said seat such that the same is actuated by moving the seat from its horizontal position to an elevated position.

8. A water closet having a toilet bowl normally having a volume of water contained therein and including a bottom, a side retaining wall structure, an upper flush rim extending around the top portion of the toilet bowl, a seat movably between a horizontal position adjacent said upper flush rim and an elevated position and means for producing a water splatter shield across the open top of said toilet bov'I for preventing urine from splattering out of said toilet bowl; said means for producing the water splatter shield comprising: an inlet water line communicatively connected to a source of water; a water receiving channel communicatively connected to said inlet water line and disposed interiorly around said toilet bowl about the flush rim thereof but above the normal water level within said toilet bowl; outlet water means formed within said water receiving channel for emitting water therefrom so as to form a water splatter shield across the open top area of said toilet bowl and above the normal water level within said toilet bowl for preventing urine directed into the toilet bowl from splattering out; valve means communicatively connected between said water source and said water receiving channel for selectively directing water to said water receiving channel for forming the water splatter shield across the open top area of said toilet bowl.

9. A water closet as claimed in Claim 8 wherein said water receiving channel comprises an annular ring type housing that generally encircles the open top of said toilet bowl, and wherein said outlet water means is formed continuously around the interior portion of said annular ring type housing such that water directed into said annular ring type housing is dispensed inwardly out said outlet water means so as to form a relatively thin water shield interiorly of said annular ring type housing.

10. A water closet as claimed in Claim 9 wherein said annular ring type housing is in the form of a pipe that is disposed with respect to the toilet bowl such that is encircles the interior top portion thereof and is spaced relatively close to the side wall structure of the toilet bowl.

11; A water closet as claimed in Claim 10 wherein said flush rim includes a ledge that projects inwardly from the interior side wall structure of said toilet bowl, and wherein said annular type ring housing in the form of said pipe is disposed generally underneath said ledge and extends substantially around the entire interior area of said toilet bowl.

12. A water closet as claimed in Claim 9 wherein said annular type ring housing is integrally formed within the flush rim of said toilet bowl.

13. A water closet as claimed in Claim 11 wherein said toilet bowl includes a seat movably mounted between a horizontal position where the same rests adjacent said flush rim and an elevated upright position; and wherein said valve means includes means for actuating the same in response to the removement of said seat member from said horizontal position to said elevated position, and wherein said valve means and said means for actuating the same is particularly positioned with respect to said seat member for accomplishing the actuation of said valve means in response to that movement of said seat member.

14. A system for producing a fluid splash shield as claimed in Claim 1 wherein said fluid is water and wherein said toilet type urine receptacle includes an open top and wherein said means for producing said fluid splash shield comprises: a nozzle assembly disposed below the open top of said toilet type urine receptacle and including a nozzle directed for emitting water in the form of a splatter shield across the toilet type urine receptacle above the bottom thereof, wherein the formed splatter shield prohibits urine from splattering back therethrough after the urine stikes the bottom and sides thereof.

1 5. A water splash shield as claimed in Claim 14 wherein said urine receptacle includes a seat movable between a horizontal position and a vertical position, and wherein said valve means is disposed with respect to said seat such that the same is actuated by moving the seat from its horizontal position to an elevated position, and wherein said nozzle assembly includes an arcuate shaped lip type nozzle for emitting a shield of water over the open top of said urine receptacle.

1 6. A system for producing a fluid splash shield for a toilet type urine receptacle substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to the accompanying drawings.