Urine Conveyer

Abstract

This invention pertains to a device, attachable to the underside of a toilet seat, adapted to receive urine from a standing person and convey it into the toilet bowl near the water level in a manner to avoid unsanitary splashing. A self rinsing feature as well as an extendible inlet end may be incorporated in the structure.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention pertains to the general field of plumbing or toilet fixtures. More particularly it pertains to devices for receiving urine which are attached to flush toilets.

A search of the prior patent art reveals several attachments of this general nature. The most pertinent art is believed to be in U.S. Pat. No. 473,714 to M. Schubert, U.S. Pat. No. 2,100,774 to C. T. dePuy et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 210,786 to T. C. Knight. All of these represent efforts to solve the instant problem of preventing the fouling of the toilet seat or peripheral areas. None of them effectively prevent splashing. The Schubert and the Knight devices are not readily adapted to a modern flush toilet. None of these references disclose the self-rinsing or extendibility features of the applicant's device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention briefly comprises a funnel-like device adapted to be mounted on the underside of a toilet seat and be raised and lowered with said seat. The whole device is shaped to be positioned so that if will fit within the rim of the toilet bowl and be substantially out of sight when the toilet is closed. It is provided with a funnel shaped receiver at the rising end in open communication with a tubular duct member which follows the curvature of a side of the seat and terminates with an outlet at a point generally below the hinged portion of the seat and below the rim of the bowl, preferably near the water level therein. The funnel end of the device may te telescopically joined to the duct thus permitting height adjustment for use by a standing person. Furthermore, either end of the device may be shaped and positioned, with respect to the flow of water in the bowl during flushing, so that it is automatically rinsed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. I shows the front view of a toilet seat in raised position with the urinal device attached. 1 indicates an easily releasable fastener holding the funnel member 2 to the underside of the seat. The dotted line 2' shows the funnel section in the extended position. 3 shows means of securing the duct to the seat 5. 4 is the telescoping section permitting extension of the funnel while maintaining open communication to the duct 6. The duct is bent away from the seat at 7 thus bringing the discharge opening 8 near the water level. 11 and 12 show the beads which restrict or limit the extension of the telescoping section 4.

FIG. II is a side elevation of the closed toilet showing the device suspended from the seat and located inside the rim of the bowl. Numbers 1 through 8, 11 and 12 have the same significance as in the description of FIG. I. The toilet seat cover is at 9. 10 shows the approximate source of water flow from the front of the rim which may be received in the downward bulge of the funnel 2 for rinsings. In its preferred form the terminal portion of the duct has a second curve bringing the tip, 8 in FIG. II, to approximately parallel the seat with the opening pointed in the direction of the stream of water obtained during flushing with the seat down, thereby effecting rinsing of the duct. 13 shows the approximate location of the rear water inlet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

When the present toilets are used by males, there is inevitably some splashing as the urine falls into the bowl. Even small amounts escaping the bowl cause considerable contamination of the surroundings with the resulting malodorous, unsanitary condition.

The object of this invention is to provide for the elimination of the splashing. This objective, and others, is achieved by this invention which comprises a urine conveyer having a funnel-like receiving end in open communication with an elongated discharge duct adapted and curved to be mounted on the underside of a toilet seat and substantially conforming to the curvature of either side of the seat. The funnel or flared receiving end is adapted for mounting under the rising portion of the seat. In this connection, it should be noted that the funnel-like member is preferably of off-set shape, not being circularly symetrical, in order that one side of the funnel and the duct lie, at least approximately, in one plane so as to fit against the underside of the seat. The discharge duct follows the curvature of a side of the seat and terminates with a discharge opening located below the rim of the bowl and generally under the hinged portion of the seat. Although the discharge end could be located below the water level, it is preferably put above the water level to avoid being fouled by solid waste.

The funnel and the discharge duct are positioned and curved respectively to follow the curvature of a side of the seat and thus are not generally in view when the seat is closed and do not interfere with use of the toilet in the seated position. In case of the open front or horse-shoe shaped seats the funnel is located slightly off center as shown in FIG. I. When the seat is continuous in the front, the funnel is preferably centered.

In addition to the non-splashing delivery of the urine to the bowl, this invention provides for automatic rinsing of the funnel and duct. Obviously, if the tube is not cleaned manually or otherwise, it will develop an undesirable odor even though it is constructed of smooth impervious plastic or ceramic. This rinsing may be accomplished by one or both of two methods. For the more common rear flushing toilets the discharge end of the duct may be curved downward from the seat and then pointed toward the rear approximately parallel with the seat so that, on flushing, with the seat down as in FIG. II, the force of the water will reverse-flush the duct.

In the case of the front flushing toilet the funnel end may be located to intercept at least a portion of the water stream and be more thoroughly rinsed when flushing with the seat down. Even with rear flushing toilets, the funnel may be shaped and positioned to be in close proximity with the inner surface of the bowl so as to scoop up water during flushing, since most toilets provide a flow of water from the rim throughout the periphery. Preferably, the funnel is provided with a downward bulge, 2 in FIG. II which will hold water until the seat is next raised whereupon the water will flow through the duct when the seat is next raised.

The device of this invention may well be provided with all of these rinsing features simultaneously. By virtue of this, the device becomes suitable for mounting under the seat on toilets having various bowl designs and flushing patterns and still retain the rinsing feature. Furthermore, the conveyer may be mounted in a corresponding manner on toilets having hinges either at the front or the side.

As an added feature the funnel section and the duct section may be separate pieces and telescopically joined to provide the necessary open communication there between and to permit height adjustment of the funnel for use. It may be telescoped at either a straight or curved portion.

The means for adapting the conveyer to be mounted on the seat may vary. The duct portion should not be perforated thereby. Such fasteners may be spring clips or bands nailed, screwed, etc. to the seat for example as shown at 3 in FIG. 1. Advantageously, the funnel portion may be secured preferably at its upper edge, by a releasable fastener which will keep it supported in the closed position and permit easy extension for use. A hook and eye arrangement would be satisfactory with either half thereof being mounted on the edge of the funnel, for example, molded as an integral part of the funnel member. Snap fasteners or magnetic holders may also be used for both the duct and the funnel. Both the funnel and the duct may have tabs, ears or fins integrally molded thereon to facilitate mounting.

The material of construction may vary. Glass or ceramic could be used but would require precision fitting to a given toilet. In this respect a specific embodiment of the invention comprises the combination of the urine conveyer herein described with the toilet and would be considered a deluxe example of the concept. It is preferable and more practical to construct the conveyer of a semirigid material such as rubber, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, and the like, since the device can be designed for satisfactory mounting on most standard toilets.

As a further refinement the telescoping section may be provided with a stop or restraining device to prevent accidental disconnection thereof during use. Such a stop could be a nub or ridge on the small section of the funnel positioned to engage a mating stop mounted on the seat in a position to permit the desired extension. Another means would be flexible restraint such as a light chain or chord attached to the seat of the duct and to the funnel with enough slack to permit the desired motion. Perhaps the preferred means, shown at 11 and 12 in the figures comprises cooperating beads mounted or moulded respectively on the outside of the funnel tip and on the inside of the inlet end of the duct. When the materials of construction are semi-rigid, the two parts may be assembled after manufacture by forcing them together. If the material is too rigid the bead on the inlet end of the duct may be slipped over the tip of the funnel and secured, for example by cementing or by threads after inserting the funnel.

The manner of using this invention is quite apparent from the foregoing description. One hand is required to raise the seat while adjusting the funnel with the other to the desired height ready for use. While its use may be considered primarily for males it is not limited thereto. For example, it would be useful for both sexes in nursing homes where a patient may be ambulatory but could not rise from a sitting position without aid. In this situation it might be desirable to provide auxiliary means for adjusting and holding the height of the seat. Such means could be a system of cord and pulleys incorporating a counterweight adjusted to hold the seat in a variety of positions. Alternately, a system of levers with weight balancing or friction means for holding the seat may be used.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A urine conveyer consisting essentially of a funnel-like receiving end in open communication with an elongated duct terminating in a discharge opening for delivering urine into a toilet bowl, said conveyer being adapted for mounting on the under side of a toilet seat with its funnel end under the rising portion of said seat and its terminal discharge opening generally below the rim of the bowl and under the hinged portion of said seat, said conveyer being curved to follow the curvature of a side of said seat and shaped to fit inside the rim of the bowl and be substantially out of sight when the toilet is closed.

2. The urine conveyer of claim 1 in which the funnel-like end contains a bulge adapted and positioned, when said conveyer is mounted under a toilet seat, to receive and hold water derived from the bowl during flushing when the seat is down.

3. The urine conveyer of claim 1 in which the discharge end of the duct, when said conveyer is mounted under a toilet seat, is curved away from said seat and then curved in a direction generally rearward and parallel to said seat thereby positioning the discharge opening of said duct to receive water when the toilet is flushed with the seat down.

4. The urine conveyer of claim 1 in which the funnel like end is a separate member and telescopically joined to the discharge duct.

5. The urine conveyer of claim 4 having means, herein described, for restricting the degree of extension of the telescopically joined funnel-like member.

6. The urine conveyer of claim 4 in which the funnel-like member is provided with means for being releasably fastened to the underside of the toilet seat.