WO1994020696A1

WO1994020696A1 - Combination water closet and urinal

Info

Publication number: WO1994020696A1
Application number: PCT/GB1994/000444
Authority: WO
Inventors: Simon John Robert Pordage; Keith Anton Furner; Lindsay Philip Beadle
Original assignee: Simon John Robert Pordage; Keith Anton Furner; Lindsay Philip Beadle
Priority date: 1993-03-09
Filing date: 1994-03-08
Publication date: 1994-09-15
Also published as: AU6148694A; GB9304809D0

Abstract

A combined water closet and urinal comprising a single bowl having a forwardly extending water closet portion (2a) and, at the rear of the latter, an upwardly extending, forwardly facing urinal portion (2b). A seat and cover assembly (33) is disclosed which can be swung to one side of the bowl for use of the sanitary appliance as a urinal.

Description

Combination Water Closet and Urinal

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a sanitary appliance in the form of a combined water closet and urinal comprising a forwardly extending water closet pan and a urinal bowl.

BACKGROUND ART

A water closet is a well known sanitary appliance comprising a cistern, a water closet pan and a lid and cover which can each be pivoted between raised and lowered positions. Such a water closet can be used by both males and females for urinating, with men tending to stand at the water closet with the lid and cover raised and women sitting on the lowered seat. However the relatively low, horizontal upper rim of the water closet pan is not ideally positioned for male users.

Urinals are sanitary appliances specially designed for male use. A conventional urinal comprises an upwardly and forwardly extending urinal bowl which is better shaped for the male needs and which can be mounted at a greater height than water closet pans. The disadvantage of a urinal is that it is designed exclusively for male use and can only be used for urinating.

It has previously been proposed in GB-A-1396241 to provide a combined water closet and urinal. This known sanitary appliance comprises a forwardly extending water closet pan having a trap integrally formed therein and a one-piece cistern supported behind the pan and provided with a urinal bowl arranged on a wall of the cistern to one side of the forwardly extending water closet pan. Two embodiments are described; one embodiment showing the urinal bowl on a side wall of the cistern facing sideways at approximately right angles to the forwardly extending water closet pan and the other embodiment showing the urinal bowl on a corner wall facing approximately at 45 degrees to the forwardly extending water closet pan. Neither of these arrangements is wholly satisfactory since a user of the urinal has to stand at least partly to one side of the water closet. Accordingly sufficient space needs to be left at one side of the water closet to enable the urinal to be used. This is often unsatisfactory where space is often at a premium in rooms or cubicles which normally house conventional water closets.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

One object of the present invention is to provide an improved sanitary appliance in the form of a combined water closet and urinal. Another object of the invention is to provide a combined water closet and urinal which is intended to be used from the front in both its water closet and urinal modes.

According to the present invention a combined water closet and urinal is characterised in that a single bowl is provided having a forwardly extending water closet portion and, at the rear of said water closet portion, an upwardly extending, forwardly facing urinal portion.

The water closet portion and urinal portion are both intended to be used from the front and accordingly only the same amount of space is required to house the sanitary appliance as is required for a conventional water closet.

Preferably the single bowl is formed as an integral, unitary construction, e.g. formed in a single firing of vitreous china or moulded from a suitable plastics material such as a reinforced plastics material. Alternatively the bowl may be formed in two parts which are sealingly joined together to define a unitary bowl. Preferably the sanitary appliance includes a seat and lid assembly which is mounted on the bowl by mounting means which enable the assembly to be moved to one side of and clear of both the water closet portion and the urinal portion for use of the urinal. A particularly preferred seat and lid assembly comprises a seat, a water closet lid and a urinal lid each pivotable relative to one another about common hinging means, the mounting means being at one end of the hinging means. In this preferred construction, in the normal usage of the water closet, the urinal cover is intended to remain in a raised position covering the urinal portion of the bowl and the water closet seat and water closet lid are pivotable relative to each other between raised and lowered positions. When the water closet seat and lid are in their raised positions, they can conveniently be swung away from the urinal portion by pivotal movement about a pivot axis of the mounting means disposed at an angle, e.g. at a right angle, to the hinging axis of the hinging means. Suitably releasable connection means are provided for releasably securing the seat and lids together when the seat and water closet lid are pivoted about the hinging axis into their raised positions.

Although in theory a cistern or tank arrangement could be located separately from, e.g. spaced from, the combined water closet and urinal, conveniently a matching cistern is provided which is preferably close-couple connected to the bowl, e.g. so as to be positioned at least partly around the urinal portion. Conveniently the cistern is provided with flushing means operable to supply flushing water selectively for urinal or water closet operation. For water closet use, flushing water is intended to be supplied to the water closet portion. For urinal use, flushing water is intended to be supplied to the urinal portion and, preferably, also to the water closet portion. As is known, water closet flushing may comprise a dual flush system to give either a full flush or a short flush depending on needs. If the cistern is close-couple connected to the bowl, securing means are provided for securing the cistern and bowl together. One such securing means may comprise a threaded rose or the like for supplying flushing water to the urinal portion and which may also serve to bolt the cistern and bowl together.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with particular reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a combined water closet and urinal according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the combined water closet shown in Figure 1 with a cistern shown detached therefrom;

Figures 3 to 9 are perspective views of the combined water closet and urinal shown in Figure 1 with a water closet seat, water closet seat cover and urinal cover shown in various different operative positions;

Figure 10 is a perspective view from the rear of the water closet and urinal shown in Figure 1 but with the cistern shown cut away and with the water closet seat and cover and the urinal cover removed;

Figure 11 is a side view of the water closet and urinal shown in Figure 1 with the seat and cover assembly swung to one side in the Figure 9 position;

Figure 12 is a side sectional view of the water closet and urinal with seat and cover assembly removed;

Figures 13 and 14 are a view from the front and a plan, respectively, of another embodiment of combined water closet and urinal with the seat and cover assembly shown mounted for pivoting movement on a different side of the water closet and urinal;

Figure 15 is a perspective view of the seat and cover assembly for the water closet and urinal shown in Figures 13 and 14;

Figure 16 is a partial plan of the seat and cover assembly shown in Figure 15;

Figures 17 and 18 are sectional views taken, respectively, on lines A-A and B-B of Figure 15;

Figure 19 is a partial exploded view of mounting means for mounting the seat and cover assembly on the water closet bowl; and

Figures 20 and 21 are different sectional views through the urinal portion of the combined water closet and urinal.

BEST MODES OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Figures 1 to 12 show one embodiment of a combined water closet and urinal comprising three main elements, namely a cistern 1, a bowl unit 2 and a seat and cover assembly generally designated 33. The bowl unit 2 comprises a unitary bowl having a forwardly extending water closet

("w.c") portion 2a and a urinal portion 2b extending upwardly from a rear part of the w.c. portion 2a and facing in the forward direction. The bowl has an outlet 4 and a trap 4a (see Figure 12) integrally formed therein. The bowl unit 2 has a seating portion 2c extending rearwardly from the w.c. portion 2a and positioned behind the urinal portion 2b. The bowl unit 2 is conveniently made of vitreous enamel but it will be appreciated that the bowl, in particular. could be made of any suitable material, such as reinforced plastics material. The bowl unit is shown as being formed as a unitary integral structure and this is its preferred form. However it should be realised that the w.c. portion and the urinal portion could be formed separately and be sealingly secured together to form the unitary or "all in one" structure.

The cistern 1 is supported on the seating portion 2c and is shaped to fit around the curved back of the urinal portion 2b as can be seen in particular in Figures 2, 10, 12, 20 and 21. Suitably the cistern is secured to the seating portion 2c by means of bolts (not shown) and to the urinal portion 2b by means of a threaded rose 11 having a nut 11a for bolting the urinal portion 2b and cistern together. The "wrap around" cistern 1 has a feed pipe 13 for supplying water to the cistern via a float operated valve 10 and an overflow pipe 12. The cistern 1 has two flushing mechanisms which can be operated individually; the main flushing mechanism being for conventional "w.c." use and the urinal flushing mechanism being for "urinal" use. The main w.c. flushing mechanism comprises a conventional slimline siphonic/diaphragm flushing unit 9 which is operated by a push button 15a for supplying flushing water to the w.c. bowl portion 2a via a main flush orifice 24 and via a channel 23 with slots 23' therein extending around the front and sides of the upper rim of the w.c. portion 2a. These slots 23' are arranged at spaced intervals around the channel 23 so that flush water is able to flush all around the inside of the bowl portion 2a. The main w.c. flushing mechanism may be of the type providing a dual flush to give either a full flush or a short flush as is well known in the art.

The urinal flushing mechanism is operated by a push button 15b for supplying flush water to the rose 11 and comprises tubing 17 connected between the feed pipe 13 and the rose 11 via an in-line non-return valve 7 mounted in a housing 14 at the top of the unit 9. Operation of the button 15b opens the valve to allow water under pressure to pass from the feed pipe 13, through the tubing 17 and valve 7 to the rose 11. The inlet end of the tubing 17 is shown branching in a T-connection from the feed pipe 13. Spring return means (not shown) are provided for closing the valve 7 and returning the button 15b to its normal position on release of pressure on the button. A removable lid 16 is fitted to the cistern 1.

The urinal portion 2b is provided with an anti-splash ridge 20 extending downwardly from the rose 11. The ridge 20 includes an internal water duct 22 leading from the rose 11. Flush water supplied to the rose 11 exits from the latter to rinse or flush the inside of the urinal portion 2b and also passes through the duct 22. The duct branches into duct portions 22a and 22b at its lower end for supplying flush water to the channel 23. The peripheral edge or rim of the bowl formed by the upper rim 18 of the w.c. portion 2a and side and top rims of the urinal portion 2b are preferably turned inwardly as shown in Figures 12, 17, 18, 20 and 21 to prevent splashing in use or in flushing.

The seat and cover assembly 33 is best seen in Figure 15 and comprises a w.c. seat 3, a seat cover 4 and a urinal cover 5 which are connected together by hinging means 30 for pivoting movement about a common hinge axis. Mounting means 6 (see Figure 19) and 6' are positioned at opposite ends of the hinging means 30 for mounting the assembly 33 on the bowl unit 2. The mounting means 6 comprises upper and lower mounting members 6a and 6b, which are releasably secured to the bowl unit by threaded bolt members 6c and 6d, respectively, which pass through respective holes (not shown) in the bowl unit and are secured by nuts 6e and 6f, and an intermediate member 6g turnably supported by the mounting members 6a and 6b. The intermediate member 6g has upper and lower stub axles 6h and 6i which are turnably received in corresponding openings 6j and 6k formed, respectively, in the members 6a and 6b. Each stub shaft 6h, 6i has a radial extension 61 which is received within a corresponding arcuate recess 6m formed in each member 6a, 6b. The arcuate extent of each recess 6m is greater than the arcuate extent of each radial extension 61 so that the intermediate member 6g is able to turn relative to the mounting members 6a and 6b about a turning axis containing the axes of the stub axles 6h and 6i. The opposite arcuate ends of each arcuate recess 6m serve as stops to limit the turning movement .of the intermediate member 6g to approximately 110 degrees. A threaded bore 6n is formed in the body of the intermediate member 6g substantially perpendicular to the direction of the stub axles 6h and 6i. A threaded axle end 31 of the hinging means is screwed into this bore 6n to secure the seat assembly 33 to the intermediate member 6g. The other mounting means 6' is not shown in detail but also comprises upper and lower mounting members 6'a and 6'b provided with spring loaded retractable stub axles (see Figure 13). These stub axles when in their extended conditions are intended to be received within corresponding upper and lower openings in an intermediate member 6'c (see Figures 12 and 13) screw threadedly connected to an axle end 32 of the hinging means 30. When so positioned the seat and cover assembly 33 is mounted to the bowl unit 2 at each end of the hinging means 30 and the seat 3 and covers 4 and 5 can be pivotally raised and lowered as desired. However, the end 32 of the hinging means 30 can be detached from its mounting on the bowl unit 2 by pulling the seat and cover assembly 33 adjacent the hinge end 32 so that the retractable stub axles on the mounting members 6'a and 6'b are retracted as the intermediate member 6'c is pulled clear of the mounting members 6'a and 6'b to enable the assembly 33 to be swung to one side. Camming surfaces on the retractable stub axles and/or on surfaces defining the openings within the mounting members 6'a, 6'b are preferably provided to facilitate attachment/detachment of the intermediate member 6'c to/from the mounting members 6'a and 6'b. Figures 3 to 9 show various different positions of elements of the seat and cover assembly 33. Figure 3 shows the seat in its lower position on the upper rim 18 of the w.c. portion 2a, the seat cover 4 in its lower position and the urinal cover 5 in a raised position covering the urinal portion 2b. Figure 4 shows the cover 4 being raised into its upper position shown in Figure 5 and Figure 6 shows the seat 3 being raised into its upper position shown in Figure 7. Figures 16 to 18 show other views of the seat 3 and bowl unit 2 corresponding to the position shown in Figure 5. In particular from Figures 17 and 18, it will be seen that the bottom surface of the seat 3 has a rubber lined groove which fits over the curved upper rim 18 of the w.c. portion 2a when the seat 3 is in its lowered position. Releasable securing means 19 (shown schematically in Figures 15 to 19) are conveniently provided in the region of the hinging means 30 for releasably retaining the seat 3 and seat cover 4, when in their raised positions, coupled to the urinal cover 5. When so coupled, the assembly 33 can be detached from its mounting at one side of the bowl unit 2 (see Figure 8) and then swung open to the other side of the bowl unit 2 so as to be positioned to one side of both the w.c. portion 2a and the urinal portion 2b (as shown in Figure 9) so that the sanitary appliance is ready for use as a urinal. In the swung open position of the assembly 33, the assembly is in an over-centre position so that the seat and cover assembly 33 is in a stable position (as shown, for example, in Figure 13). As described previously, the assembly 33 is designed to swing open through about 110 degrees although this angle is not critical but should be in excess of 90 degrees and preferably in excess of 100 degrees. The securing means 19 as shown suitably comprises a "flat" portion 19a of the seat 3 which in the raised position of the seat cooperates with "flat" portions 19b adjacent the hinged part of the urinal cover 5. Other securing means, e.g. magnetic securing means, could be provided.

The seat and cover assembly 33 can be mounted for swinging movement at either side of the bowl unit 2. Alternatively other mounting arrangements are possible. For example a hinged mounting could be provided on a side of the seat 3 for mounting the latter to the bowl unit 2 adjacent a side of the upper rim 18. In such an arrangement the assembly 33 could be pivoted about a single, horizontal, forwardly and backwardly extending axis into a position at one side of the bowl unit. Alternatively, the hinged mounting could be designed so that the assembly is first pivoted upwards about a horizontal, forwardly and backwardly extending axis into a substantially vertical disposition and is then pivoted down in a vertical plane about a horizontal axis.

Other flushing arrangements could also be provided, the primary requirement being that for urinal flushing flush water rinses both the urinal portion 2b and the w.c. portion

2a. For flushing of the w.c. portion 2a it is possible to dispense with the channel 23 and to have an inwardly turned anti-splash rim similar to for the urinal portion 2b as shown in Figures 20 and 21. In this case water outlets would be arranged at the side of the bowl unit towards the rear for directing flush water forwardly around the rim of the w.c. portion 2a so that the flush water is flushed around the rim and falls downwardly over the inside surface of the w.c. portion 2a.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The invention finds application as a sanitary appliance both in home and industrial use.

Claims

1. A combined water closet and urinal characterised in that a single bowl is provided having a forwardly extending water closet portion (2a) and, at the rear of said water closet portion (2a), an upwardly extending, forwardly facing urinal portion (2b).

2. A combined water closet and urinal according to claim 1, characterised in that the said single bowl is formed as an integral, unitary construction.

3. A combined water closet and urinal according to claim 1, characterised in that a seat and cover assembly (33) is mounted on the bowl by mounting means (6, 6') which enable the assembly to be moved to one side of the bowl enabling use of the urinal.

4. A combined water closet and urinal according to claim 3, characterised in that the seat and cover assembly (33) comprises a seat (3), a seat cover (4) and a urinal cover (5) each pivotable relative to one another about common hinging means (30), the mounting means (6, 6') being located at one end of the hinging means (30).

5. A combined water closet and urinal according to claim 4, characterised in that releasable connection means (40) are provided for releasably securing the seat (3) and covers (4, 5) together when the seat (3) and seat cover (4) are pivoted about the hinging axis into their raised positions.

6. A combined water closet and urinal according to claim 1, characterised in that a cistern (1) is connected to the bowl.

7. A combined water closet and urinal according to claim 6, characterised in that the said cistern (1) is positioned at least partly around the urinal portion (2b).

8. A combined water closet and urinal according claim 6, characterised in that the cistern (1) is provided with flushing means (7, 9, 11, 14, 15a,15b) operable to provide different flushes depending on whether a urinal or water closet flush is required.

9. A combined water closet and urinal according to claim 8, characterised in that the flushing means is operable to supply flushing water either to said water closet portion or to said urinal portion and to said water closet portion.

10. A combined water closet and urinal according to claim 8, characterised in that securing means (11, 11a) secure the cistern (1) and bowl (2a, 2b) together.

11. A combined water closet and urinal according to claim 9, characterised in that said securing means includes a threaded rose member (11) for supplying flushing water to at least the urinal portion (2b).

12. A combined water closet and urinal according to claim 11, characterised in that supply means (22, 23) are provided for supplying water from said rose member (11) to the inside surface of said water closet portion (2a).