U.S. patent application number 10/160351 was filed with the patent office on 2002-12-05 for toilet.
Invention is credited to Benkhardt, Axel.
Application Number | 20020178496 10/160351 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 7945159 |
Filed Date | 2002-12-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020178496 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Benkhardt, Axel |
December 5, 2002 |
Toilet
Abstract
A toilet includes a toilet bowl with a toilet seat made of a
swivellable seat panel and a swivellable toilet lid as well as a
wall-hung urinal which can be closed by a lid. A casing with a
device for emitting acoustical speech and/or music information is
places fixed or removable by a support to at least one of the
movable parts of the toilet or of the wall-hung urinal externally
or internally. The casing includes a programmable or preprogrammed
speech and/or music module or a chip card containing the speech
and/or music information with a microprocessor control. The device
is connected with a mechanically or light-optically controlled
on-off switch or a motion detector in such a way that, when lifting
the toilet lid and/or the seat panel and/or the urinal bowl lid,
the putting in and out of action of the speech and/or music module
is released by the reproduction of the speech and/or music
recording.
Inventors: |
Benkhardt, Axel; (Hamburg,
DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Friedrich Kueffner
Suite 910
317 Madison Avenue
New York
NY
10017
US
|
Family ID: |
7945159 |
Appl. No.: |
10/160351 |
Filed: |
May 31, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10160351 |
May 31, 2002 |
|
|
|
09751415 |
Dec 28, 2000 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
4/661 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G09F 27/00 20130101;
A47K 13/24 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
4/661 |
International
Class: |
A47K 001/00; E03C
001/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 14, 2000 |
DE |
200 14 002.7 |
Claims
1. A toilet consisting of a toilet bowl with a toilet seat made of
a swivellable seat panel and a swivellable toilet lid as well as a
wall-hung urinal which can be closed by means of a lid,
characterized in that a casing (21) with a device (20) for emitting
acoustical speech and/or music information is placed fixed or
removable by means of a support (60) to at least one of the movable
parts (12, 213, 14, 214, 314) of the toilet (10, 210) or of the
wall-hung urinal (300) externally or internally, the casing
comprising a programmable or preprogrammed speech and/or music
module (120) or a chip card (70) containing the speech and/or music
information with a microprocessor control, whereby the device (20)
is connected with a mechanically or light-optically controlled
on-off switch or a motion detector in such a way that, when lifting
the toilet lid (14) and/or the seat panel (13) and/or the urinal
bowl lid (314), the putting in and out of action of the speech
and/or music module (120) is released by the reproduction of the
speech and/or music recording.
2. A toilet according to claim 1, characterized in that the device
for emitting acoustical speech and/or music information shows at
least one loudspeaker (23), a source of current (22) and
electronics for generating electrical signals for the
loudspeaker.
3. A toilet according to one of the claims 1 or 2, characterized in
that the electronics comprise at least one sensor which is
configured in such a manner that it detects a motion state and/or
an ambiance condition of the movable toilet parts (13, 14, 213,
214, 314) and activates the electronics for emitting the speech
and/or music information in dependence of the detected state or of
the detected ambiance condition.
4. A toilet according to one of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in
that the sensor is a flip sensor which detects as a state a
swivelling movement of one of the movable toilet parts (13, 14,
213, 214, 314), a light barrier, an infrared detector, a motion
detector, a mechanical sensor, a touch sensor and/or an ultrasonic
sensor, wherebei a switch which can be controlled by short-term
acting heat, gestures, finger or pressure can be used.
5. A toilet according to one of the claims 1 to 4, characterized in
that the electronics comprise a microprocessor (138) which is
configured in such a manner that a speech and/or music information
can be alternatively changed.
6. A toilet according to one of the claims 1 to 5, characterized in
that the electronics comprise a printed wiring board (136), a
microprocessor (138) placed on the printed wiring board (136), a
flip sensor (140) placed on the printed wiring board (136), a
loudspeaker (142) connected with the printed wiring board (136) and
a current supply (134) connected with the printed wiring board
(136).
7. A toilet according to one of the claims 1 to 6, characterized in
that the device (20) or only the printed wiring board (electronics)
for emitting acoustical speech and/or music information is placed
fixed or removable on the support (60) and only the speech
chip/music chip or microchip on the printed wiring board/device is
replaceable (for example by a plug-in contact) in order to
reprogramm or to respeak the speech chip/music chip/microchip.
8. A toilet according to one of the claims 1 to 7, characterized in
that the device (20) with the speech and/or music module (120) is
placed in the inner space of the casing (21) with the support (60),
the device being configured in the casing as electronics with a
sensor (140) which is configured in such a manner that it detects a
motion state and/or an ambiance condition of the casing (21) and
activates the electronics for emitting the speech and/or music
information in dependence of the detected state or of the detected
ambiance condition.
9. A toilet according to claim 8, characterized in that the sensor
is a motion detector or a flip sensor (140) which detects a tilting
movement or a swivelling movement of the casing (21) as a
state.
10. A toilet according to any of the claims 1 to 9, characterized
in that the complete speech and/or music module (120) or the
complete electronics such as the microprocessor and/or chip or
sensor or switch, current supply, wiring (printed wiring board) or
the device is placed only on or by or in a flat smart card.
11. A toilet according to any of the claims 1 to 10, characterized
in that the casing (21) with the speech and/or music module (120)
is placed by means of the support (60) besides the seat panel (13,
213) and/or the toilet lid (14, 214) and/or the urinal bowl lid
(314), whereby the support (60) is configured as a flat (61) made
of a metallic material or of a plastic, whereby the flat (61)
supports at its one free end (61a) the casing (21) with the speech
and/or music module (120) and is placed fixed or removable with its
other free end (81b) on the wall face of the seat panel (13) and/or
of the toilet lid (14) which is turned to the toilet bowl (11).
12. A toilet according to any of the claims 1 to 11, characterized
in that the flat-type support (60) is removably fixed to the lower
side of the seat panel (13) and/or of the toilet lid (14) by means
of a self-adhesive band (70) or of a Velcro-type fastener.
13. A toilet according to any of the claims 1 to 11, characterized
in that the flat-type support (60) is placed fixed to the lower
side of the seat panel (13) and/or of the toilet lid (14) by means
of a glued connection.
14. A toilet according to any of the claims 1 to 13, characterized
in that the flat (61) of the support is configured adjustable
lengthwise.
15. A toilet according to any of the claims 1 to 14, characterized
in that the support (60) shows a lower thickness which is
dimensioned so that the support (60) can be placed between the
toilet lid (14) and the seat panel (13) or between the seat panel
(13) and the peripheral toilet bowl edge (16) without considerably
increasing the intermediate space between the toilet lid (14) and
the seat panel (13) or between the seat panel (13) and the
peripheral toilet bowl edge (16).
16. A toilet according to any of the claims 1 to 15, characterized
in that the faces of the support (60) and/or of the casing (21) are
configured as advertising spaces.
17. A toilet according to any of the claims 1 to 10, characterized
in that a device (20) with a programmable or a preprogrammed speech
and/or music module (120) with a speech and/or music recording is
placed by means of its casing on the inner wall face (214a ) of the
toilet lid (214) turned to the inner space (215) of the toilet bowl
(211) and/or on the seat panel (213), this casing being connected
with a mechanically or light-optically controlled on-off switch in
such a way that, when lifting the toilet lid (214) and/or the seat
panel (213), the putting in and out of action of the speech and/or
music module (120) is released by the reproduction of the speech
and/or music recording.
18. A toilet according to any of the claims 1 to 10 or 17,
characterized in that the device (20) with the speech and/or music
module (120) is integrated into the toilet lid (214) and/or into
the lid part (314) of the urinal bowl (300).
19. A toilet according to any of the claims 1 to 10, 17 and 18,
characterized in that the speech and/or music module (120) is fixed
with its casing by means of a self-adhesive coating (230) to the
inner wall face (214a) of the toilet lid (214; 314).
20. A toilet according to any of the claims 1 to 10, 17 to 19,
characterized in that the toilet lid (214, 314) is provided on its
inner wall face (214a) with a recess (214b) for receiving the
casing with the speech and/or music module (120) which is held in
the recess (214b) by press-fitting, by means of a glued joint or of
another appropriate mechanical connection.
21. A toilet according to any of the claims 1 to 10, 17 to 20,
characterized in that the casing of the speech and/or music module
(120) fixed to the inner wall face (214a ) of the toilet lid (214,
314) or to the seat panel (213) is covered moisture-proof and
protected against splash water by means of a foil-type cover
(235).
22. A toilet according to any of the claims 1 to 10, 17 to 21,
characterized in that the speech and/or music module (120) with its
casing is placed on one or in one receptacle or toilet cleaning
means and/or bad smell removing agent receiver (241) hung in the
inner space (215) of the toilet bowl (11) or urinal bowl (311).
23. A toilet according to any of the claims 1 to 10, 17 to 22,
characterized in that the speech and/or music module (120) with its
casing is placed moisture-proof and protected against splash water
in the inner space of the bowl (211, 311) by means of a support
held or hung on the peripheral toilet bowl edge (216) or urinal
bowl edge.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] It is often necessary in the private as well as in the
public domain to indicate in the toilet rooms by plates or other
signs to the toilets users and to remind them not to leave the
toilets and the toilet rooms dirty, whereby in the private sphere a
toilet user can often verbally remind other occupants to actuate
the toilet flush after having used the toilet, to leave clean the
toilet bowl and the toilet seat and to close the toilet lid.
Written warnings are often ignored and verbal reminders are not
always possible.
[0002] Thus, the aim of this invention is to create a possibility
in rooms containing toilets with which toilet users are urged over
acoustical speech signals during the actuation of movable toilet
parts such as the toilet seat and/or the toilet lid to leave the
toilet clean after having used it. Furthermore, advertising
information, advertising spots, product indications and the like
are to be imparted to the toilet users, the technical solution
consisting in a device which is to be kept hygienically clean.
[0003] The aim is achieved according to the invention for a toilet
of the above mentioned type with the characteristics indicated in
claim 1.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Accordingly, the invention consists for toilets configured
in a manner known per se and for wall-hung urinals which can be
closed by a lid in that a casing with a device for delivering
acoustical speech and/or music information is placed fixed or
detachable directly or by means of a support to at least one of the
movable parts of the toilets externally or internally, the casing
comprising a programmable or preprogrammed speech and/or music
module with a speech and/or music recording or a chip card
containing the speech and/or music information and a microprocessor
control, whereby the device is connected with a mechanically or
light-optically controlled on-off switch or a motion detector in
such a way that, when lifting the toilet lid and/or the seat panel,
the putting in and out of action of the speech module is released
by the reproduction of the speech and/or music recording.
[0005] The speech module itself consists of a casing with a source
of current, preferably with a battery, a loudspeaker or for
recording and reproduction with a microphone/loudspeaker unit and
with a mechanically controlled on-off switch or an on-off switch
controlled by means of a light-optical cell so that, when actuating
the toilet lid and/or the seat panel, the speech and/or music
module is set into operation in such a way that the stored speech
and/or music recording is reproduced acoustically and in a manner
which cannot be overheard. The control of the on-off switch for the
speech and/or music module can also be made over a motion detector,
for example in form of a conductive moving body, such as for
example a lever, which opens or closes the contact with its
movement. A motion detector detects if the speech and/or music
module to which it is fixed undergoes a physical acceleration. This
is generally always the case when, for using the toilet, the toilet
lid is opened and/or the seat is lifted, whereby when closing both
toilet parts a control of the music and/or speech module can be
carried out. Furthermore, other types of detectors are possible for
the condition of use, like switches, which detect the charge of the
toilet seat in order to obtain an indication for the movement.
[0006] The warnings for keeping clean the toilet, wall-hung urinals
and toilet rooms which formerly were oral are now carried out over
the toilet itself, whereby parts of the toilet such as the toilet
lid or the bowl lid and/or the seat panel are pivoted, either when
opening or when closing the lid. The use of a mechanical on-off
switch for the speech and/or music module makes its starting
possible when opening and closing the toilet seat parts, whereas
when using non responsive elements the speech and/or music module
can only be activated when the toilet lid, the urinal bowl lid
and/or the seat panel is lifted so that light falls onto the speech
and/or music module which is intercepted by a light-optical cell
and converted into control currents in order to trigger the
switching-on of the speech and/or music module. The speech and/or
music recording in the speech and/or music module can be reproduced
continuously or periodically, whereby adjusting possibilities are
also provided in order to reproduce acoustically, for example in
bigger intervalls, the speech and/or music recording when the
toilet lid and/or seat panel is opened, whereas when closing the
toilet lid, the urinal bowl lid and/or the seat panel the emitting
of the speech and/or music recording is desactivated, since--when
the toilet lid and/or the seat panel is closed--an ocean of light
can be incident onto the light-optical speech and/or music module.
The speech and/or music module can also contain speech and/or music
recordings of any type such as, for example funny texts,
advertising information, advertising spots or the like.
[0007] The speech and/or music module can be provided with the most
different speech and/or music recordings in order to remind the
user of a toilet to leave clean the toilet and the toilet rooms and
to close the toilet lid before leaving the toilet room. The
corresponding speech and/or music recording can be preprogrammed in
the speech and/or music module. However, it is also possible by
using a recording and reproducing device to enter respectively
desired reminders and warnings in order to be then able to
reproduce this speech or music recording in the respectively
necessary case. With the toilet configured according to the
invention, it is possible to remind toilet or urinal bowl users to
leave clean toilet rooms and toilets, whereby no supplementary
person is necessary any longer for this reminder and warning. The
warning plates which are otherwise often overlooked in toilet rooms
are no longer necessary. Furthermore, such reminders and warnings
can be related to advertising information, advertising spots or the
like, whereby a music accompaniment is also possible.
[0008] The configuration and arrangement of the device containing
the speech and/or music module on the toilet is particularly
advantageous. Due to the external arrangement of this device, the
speech and/or music module is not subject to any splash water and
dirt accumulation. Moreover, the device can be easily cleaned and
kept clean hygienically. Since the casing of the device is
connected with the speech and/or music module over a web-type
support with one of the movable parts of the toilet, it is possible
to carry out the fixing of the device for example between the
toilet lid and the seat panel or between the seat panel and the
peripheral toilet lid edge. Advantageous configurations of the
invention are characterized in the subclaims.
[0009] According to an embodiment according to the invention, the
casing with the speech and/or music module is placed by means of a
support besides the seat panel and/or the toilet lid, the support
being configured as a flat made of a metallic material or a
plastic, whereby the flat bears at is one free end the casing with
the speech and/or music module and is placed fixed or removable
with its other end on the wall face of the seat panel and/or of the
toilet lid which is turned to the toilet bowl. The removable
fixation has the advantage that the device with the speech and/or
music module can be removed without any effort for cleaning. The
support for the device with the speech and/or music module has a
lower thickness which is dimensioned so that the support can be
placed between the toilet lid and the seat panel or the seat panel
and the peripheral toilet lid edge without substantially increasing
the intermediate space between the toilet lid and the seat panel or
between the seat panel and the peripheral toilet lid edge.
[0010] According to a further embodiment, for a toilet configured
in a way known per se, the programmable or preprogrammed speech
module with a speech recording is placed fixed or removable on the
inner wall face of the toilet lid which is turned to the inner
space of the toilet bowl and/or on the seat panel by means of its
casing which is connected with a mechanically or light-optically
controlled on-off switch in such a way that the operation of the
speech module by reproducing the speech recording is released when
lifting the toilet lid and/or seat panel of a toilet. As a further
embodiment, a toilet lid and/or a seat panel is provided with a
speech module integrated into these parts of the toilet. An
arrangement of the speech module on the inner wall face of the
toilet bowl is also possible.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] Embodiments of the invention will be explained in more
detail below with reference to the attached drawings.
[0012] FIG. 1 is a graphical view of a toilet with an opened toilet
lid and with two different external arrangements of a device with a
speech and/or music module on the movable toilet parts.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section through a toilet
lid with removed toilet lid and with a device with the speech
and/or music module fixed and held externally on the toilet
seat.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a top view of a toilet with removed lid and
laterally fixed speech and/or music module.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-section of a toilet bowl with a
device with the speech and/or music module fixed externally below
the toilet lid.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a graphical view of a toilet with opened toilet
lid and a speech and/or music module placed thereon.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a vertical longitudinal section through a toilet
bowl with a speech and/or music module-arranged on the toilet
seat.
[0018] FIG. 7 is a top view of the toilet bowl according to FIG.
6.
[0019] FIG. 8 is a vertical cross section of a toilet bowl with a
speech and/or music module placed below the toilet seat.
[0020] FIG. 9 is a vertical cross section through a section of the
toilet lid with a speech and/or music module placed on its inner
wall face.
[0021] FIG. 10 is a vertical cross section through a section of the
toilet lid with a speech and/or music module placed in a recess in
the toilet lid.
[0022] FIG. 11 is a vertical cross section through a toilet bowl
with a support hung on the bowl edge between the toilet lid and the
bowl edge for a container receiving a cleaning means and/or odor
eliminating means with a moisture-proof speech and/or music module
placed thereon.
[0023] FIG. 12 is a graphical view of an urinal bowl which can be
closed with a lid for a wall fixation with a speech and/or music
module fixed on the lid part.
[0024] FIG. 13 is a graphical view of a device which can be fixed
to one of the movable parts of the toilet with the speech and/or
music module.
[0025] FIG. 14 is a graphical front view of a device with the
speech and/or music module.
[0026] FIG. 15 is a rear view of the device with the speech and/or
music module.
[0027] FIG. 16 is a further rear view of the device with the speech
and/or music module.
[0028] FIG. 17 is a rear view of the device with the speech and/or
music module with removed rear wall.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0029] According to FIG. 1, the toilet 10 consists of a toilet bowl
11 and a toilet seat 12 which is formed by a seat panel 13 and a
toilet lid 14, whereby the latter are connected with each other
over swivelling hinges 17 in such a way that the seat panel 13 and
the toilet lid 14 are swivellable separately from each other. The
inner wall face of the toilet lid 14 which is swivellable in
direction of the arrow X is indicated by 14a. The seat panel 13
which is also swivellable in direction of the arrow X1
independently of the toilet lid 14, rests on the peripheral toilet
bowl edge 16, preferably with intercalated nub-type distance pieces
18 made of a resilient material (FIG. 4). The inner space of the
toilet bowl 11 is indicated by 15.
[0030] A device 20 is placed on the movable parts 13 and 14 of the
toilet 10 or on only one of the two movable parts, this device
consisting of a casing 21 in which a programmable or preprogrammed
speech and/or music module 120 is placed (FIG. 1, 5 and 9). This
speech and/or music module 120 is provided with a corresponding
speech and/or music recording and is fixed with its casing 21 by
means of a support 60 to one of the movable parts 13, 14 of the
toilet 10 (FIG. 1 to 4).
[0031] This speech and/or music module 120 configured in a manner
known per se is connected with a mechanically or light-optically
controlled on-off switch so that, when lifting the toilet lid 14
and/or the seat panel 13, the operation of the speech and/or music
module is released by reproducing the speech and/or music
recording. The speech and/or music module 120 is placed in the
casing 21 which receives a source of current, preferably a battery
22. Moreover, the speech and/or music module 120 comprises a
loudspeaker indicated by 23 or a microphone-loudspeaker unit 24 for
recording and reproducing, whereby the on-off switching for the
operation of the speech and/or music module ensues either over a
mechanical control such as for example a lever, or over a
light-optical cell/sensor 25 which is active with incident light
and releases control currents for the operation of the speech
and/or music module (FIG. 13).
[0032] The control, i.e. the switching on and off of the speech
and/or music module 120 can ensue for example over a light-optical
cell/sensor 25. The placing of the device 20 with the speech and/or
music module 120 on one of the movable toilet parts 13, 14 is made
in such a way that, the toilet lid 14 being opened, the
light-optical device such as the photocell or the like is hit by
light, whereby the photocurrents generated in this way are used for
control purposes for the speech and/or music module in order to
release the speech and/or music recording reproduction. When the
toilet lid 14 is closed, the speech and/or music module 120 is not
hit by light so that there does not happen any operation of the
speech and/or music recording reproduction device. Preferably, the
light-optical cell/sensor 25 is then placed on the support 60 for
the device 20 in such a way that, when lifting the toilet lid 14 or
the seat panel 13, the sensor is hit by light, whereas when closing
the toilet lid 14 or the seat panel 13 the sensor is covered in
such a way that no action of light onto the sensor is possible. To
this purpose, the light-optical effect or sensor is placed between
the toilet lid 14 and the seat panel 13 or between the seat panel
13 and the peripheral bowl edge so that the light control for the
light-optical device or the sensor 25 is carried out over the
position of the toilet lid 14 or of the seat panel 13. The
light-optical device such as the photocell or the sensor 25 is then
connected with the device 20 over corresponding current feeders in
the support 60, whereby the support 60 can also receive devices of
the speech and/or music module such as for example batteries or
loudspeakers in its part lying outside the toilet.
[0033] A further embodiment of a device 20 with a speech and/or
music module 120 is represented in the FIGS. 14 to 17. This device
20 also comprises a casing 21 with a front part 112 and a rear lid
114 which together constitute the casing 21. The parts constituting
the casing 21 can be connected with each other by means of screwed
connections, however also by means of adhesive connections or other
removable connections so that a dimensionally stable casing 21 is
configured with the inner space 118.
[0034] Furthermore, a battery case lid 124 for closing a battery
case 126 configured in one piece with the front part 112 is
configured on the rear lid (FIG. 17). The battery case lid 124 is
screwed by means of a screw 128 with the rear lid 114 so that it
does not work loose unintended from the rear lid 114.The battery
case lid 124 shows an opening 130 through which an isolating strip
which is not represented in the drawing can be inserted gripping
between corresponding batteries 134. In this way, a current supply
of the device 20 is effectively interrupted during the transport
and the storage and can be quickly and simply produced by simply
pulling out the isolating strip. The device 20 can thus immediately
be equipped with batteries 134 by manufacturing and mounting so
that they do not have to be put in by an end user.
[0035] The batteries 134 serve for the current supply of a speech
and/or music module 120 placed in the inner space 118 and thus
completely encapsulated by the casing 110. This speech and music
module comprises electronics 136 with a printed wiring board 136, a
microprocessor 138 placed on the printed wiring board 136, a flip
sensor 140 placed on the printed wiring board 136 and a loudspeaker
142 connected with the printed wiring board 136. The batteries 134
are connected with the printed wiring board 136 for the current
supply of the electronics. The loudspeaker 142 is aligned on
openings in the casing front wall so that a sound radiation of the
loudspeaker 142 can emerge practically checkless from the inner
space 14 of the casing. Furthermore, resistors 144 and capacitors
146 are placed for the outer wiring of the microprocessor with
strip conductors configured correspondingly on the printed wiring
board.
[0036] The device 20 represented in the FIGS. 14 to 17 can be fixed
to the movable parts 13, 14 of the toilet 10, whereby the flip
sensor 140 activates the electronics, when the toilet lid 14 and/or
the seat panel 13 is tilted up.
[0037] Thereupon, the microprocessor 138 activates for example a
spoken message indicating that a use of the toilet without toilet
seat is not wished because of the soiling of the environment of the
toilet caused hereby. The aim is to bring the toilet user to use
the toilet sitting and with the toilet seat hinged down.
[0038] As FIG. 1 shows, the device 20 with the speech and/or music
module 120 is placed externally by means of a support 60 on at
least one of the movable parts 13, 14 of the toilet 10, namely in
such a way that the casing 21 with the speech and/or music module
rests laterally and outside the toilet (FIG. 3 and FIG. 4). The
fixing of the support 60 is made on the inner wall face 14a of the
toilet lid 14 or on the inner wall face 13a of the seat panel 13,
whereby preferably the length of the support 60 is dimensioned in
such a way that the casing 21 with the speech and/or music module
comes to rest laterally on the toilet. The speech and/or music
module 120 in the casing 20 is provided with a speech and/or music
recording, whereby the speech and/or music module is programmable
or can be preprogrammed, whereby it is also possible to insert a
chip card with a microprocessor control (FIG. 14) containing the
speech and/or music information.
[0039] The casing 21 with the speech and/or music module 120 is
placed by means of the support 60 besides the seat panel 13 and/or
the toilet lid 14, the support 60 being configured as a flat 61
made of a metallic material or of a plastic. The flat 61 carries on
its free end 61a the casing 21 with the speech and/or music module
120, whereby the flat 61 can be connected removable or fixed with
the casing 21. With its other end 61b, the flat 61 is placed
removable or fixed on the wall face of the seat panel 13 and/of the
toilet lid 14 which is turned to the toilet bowl (FIG. 1). The
flat-type support 60 can be for example removably fixed by means of
an self-adhesive band or of a Velcro fastener on the lower side of
the seat panel 13 and/or of the toilet lid 14. A glued joint can be
used for example for a fixed connection of the flat-type support 60
on one of the movable parts 13, 14 of the toilet 10.
[0040] The flat 61 of the support 60 is configured lengthwise
adjustable. For this purpose, the flat 61 is configured for example
telescopic and can be adapted to the respective placing
requirements and wishes by varying the length.
[0041] The support 60 shows a lower thickness which is dimensioned
so that the support can be placed between the toilet lid 14 and the
seat panel 13 or between the seat panel 13 and the peripheral edge
16 of the toilet bowl 11 without considerably increasing the
intermediate space between the toilet lid 14 and the seat panel 13
or between the seat panel 13 and the peripheral toilet bowl edge
16.
[0042] The flat 61 of the support 60 shows preferably a rectangular
cross-sectional form. The surfaces of the support 60 and/or also of
the casing 21 with the speech and/or music module 120 which are
thus created can be configured as advertising spaces. However, the
flat 61 of the support 60 can also have another geometrical
cross-sectional form. It is essential that the flat 61 is
configured as a tongue in its fixing area on the toilet lid 14 or
on the seat panel 16 in order to have a lower thickness, whereby it
is necessary for manufacturing the flat 61 to use materials which
have a high inherent rigidity.
[0043] For the embodiment according to FIG. 5, the toilet 210 is
configured in accordance with the toilet 10 and consists of a
toilet bowl 211 and a toilet seat 212 which is formed by a seat
panel 213 and a toilet lid 214, whereby the latter are connected
with each other over swivelling hinges 217. The inner wall face of
the toilet lid 214 which is swivellable in direction of the arrow X
is indicated by 214a. The seat panel 213 which is also swivellable
in direction of the arrow X1 independently pf the toilet lid 214,
rests on the peripheral toilet bowl edge 216, namely preferably
with intercalated nub-type distance pieces 218 made of a resilient
material (FIG. 8). The inner space of the toilet bowl 11 is
indicated by 215. For the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 and 7 as well
as in FIG. 8 and 11, only the seat panel 213 of the toilet seat 212
is represented. For these embodiments, the toilet lid 214 is
removed.
[0044] A device 20 with a programmable or preprogrammed speech
and/or music module 120 with a speech recording is placed on the
inner wall face 214a of the toilet 214 lid which is turned to the
inner space 215 of the toilet bowl 211 and/or on the seat panel
213, the fixing of the speech and/or music module 120 being carried
out by means of its casing as described above. This speech and/or
music module 120 is connected with a mechanically or
light-optically controlled on-off switch in such a way that the
operation of the speech and/or music module 120 by reproducing the
speech and/or music recording is released when lifting the toilet
lid 214 and/or seat panel 213.
[0045] The speech and/or music module 120 is placed with its casing
according to a first embodiment on the inner wall face 214a of the
toilet lid 214, namely preferably adjacent to the articulation area
of the toilet lid 214 and of the seat panel 213 (FIG. 5). When the
toilet lid 214 is opened, the light-optical device such as a
photocell or the like is hit by light. The generated photocurrents
are then used for control purposes for the speech and/or music
module 120 in order to trigger the speech and/or music recording
reproduction. When the toilet lid 214 is closed, the speech and/or
music module 120 is not hit by light so that an activation of the
speech and/or music recording reproducing device does not take
place either.
[0046] The fixing of the speech module 20 with its casing on the
inner wall face 214a of the toilet lid 214 is carried out by means
of a self-adhesive coating 230 (FIG. 9). For the embodiment shown
in FIG. 10, the toilet lid 214 is provided on its inner wall face
214a with a recess 214b for receiving the casing of the speech
and/or music module 120 which is held in the recess 214b by
press-fitting, by means of a glued joint or of another appropriate
mechanical connection. After having inserted the speech and/or
music module 120 into the recess 214b, the recess can be recovered
by a plastic foil so that the speech and/or music module 120 is
protected against water and moisture.
[0047] For the embodiment for which the speech and/or music module
120 is set with its casing onto the inner wall face 214a of the
toilet lid 214, the speech and/or music module 120 can also be
covered moisture-proof and splash-proof by means of a foil-type
cover 235 (FIG. 9).
[0048] However, according to a further embodiment, it is also
possible to place the speech and/or music module 120 on the seat
panel 213 (FIG. 6 and 7). The placing of the speech and/or music
module 120 is then carried out in the way that, when the
reproducing device for the speech recording is not activated, no
light falls onto the light-optical device of the speech and/or
music module 120 when the seat panel 213 shows the hinged down
position shown in FIG. 6 and 7, whereby a placing of the speech
and/or music module 120 can however also be in the upper peripheral
edge area of the seat panel 213, when the seat panel 213 is
connected with a toilet lid 214 which covers then, in hinged down
condition, the speech and/or music module 120 and its light-optical
device. The placing of the speech and/or music module 120 on the
seat panel is such that the proper seat surface is not affected in
any way.
[0049] If the switching on and off of the speech module 20 is made
by means of a mechanical device which is not represented in the
drawing, for example by means of a control lever, the placing of
the speech and/or music module 120 on the toilet lid 224 and/or on
the seat panel is such that this control lever is in the swivelling
area of the toilet lid 214 and/or of the seat panel 213 so that,
when the toilet lid 214 and/or the seat panel 213 is closed, the
control lever is introduced into the casing 221 of the speech
module 20 and locks the operation of the reproducing device for the
speech and/or music recording, while when opening the toilet lid
214 and/or the seat panel 213 the control lever is released so that
an operation of the reproducing device of the speech and/or music
recording is possible.
[0050] FIG. 11 shows a further advantageous embodiment. Here, the
speech and/or music module 120 is placed with its casing on a
receiver hung in the inner space 215 of the toilet bowl 211 which
serves for receiving a cleaning agent and/or a bad smell removing
agent or another agent. This receiver 214 is connected with a
strap-type support 240 which is hung on the peripheral toilet bowl
edge 216. In these cases in which these receivers are fixed in
another manner to the toilet bowl 211, the speech and/or music
module 120 is placed in a corresponding way. This embodiment makes
it possible to make available to the buyer a product which is not
only used for cleaning purposes or by annoyance caused by bad
smell, but which furthermore also reproduces speech recordings. The
speech and/or music module 120 can also be placed in the receiver
241. Receivers without any cleaning means and/or without a bad
smell removing agent can also be used.
[0051] The speech and/or music module 120 is connected fixed or
removable on the toilet lid 214 and/or on the seat panel 213 ; an
integration of the speech and/or music module 120 into the toilet
lid 214 and/or into the seat panel 213 is also possible.
Furthermore, the speech and/or music module 120 can be placed fixed
or removable on the inner wall face of the toilet lid 211, for
example by means of glued joints or of mechanical connecting means,
whereby the speech and/or music module 120 is placed moisture and
splash proof.
[0052] It is also possible to place the speech and/or music module
120 by means of a support not represented in the drawing in the
inner space or on the inner wall face of the toilet bowl 211, this
support being then also hung on the peripheral toilet bowl edge
216.
[0053] FIG. 12 shows an urinal bowl 311 which can be fixed to a
vertical wall which can be closed by means of a lid part 314
swivellable in direction of the arrow X. The lid part 314 is
provided with a speech and/or a music module 120 which can be fixed
directly to the lid part 314 or which is held on the side of the
lid part on the lid part.
* * * * *