ROTATIONALLY MOLDED LIGATURE RESISTANT TOILET

Abstract

A ligature resistant toilet includes a frame that surrounds a bowl assembly. The frame may be made by rotational molding to create a seamless, one-piece component. The frame includes a front surface, a left surface, and a right surface that are all connected to a top surface by a rounded transition surface. A seat assembly is defined on the top surface of the frame and includes a seat that defines a bowl opening. The frame supports a bowl assembly that is positioned within a hollow interior of the frame. The bowl assembly includes a bowl and a spray ring supported by a top surface of the bowl. Piping may be attached to a trapway of the bowl assembly and extend exterior to the frame to an exterior plumbing system.

Claims

1. A ligature resistant toilet comprising: a frame defining a hollow interior and including a top surface with a seat assembly defined on said top surface; a bowl assembly positioned within said hollow interior of said frame and supported by said frame; and wherein said frame is a monolithic structure formed by rotational molding.

2. The ligature resistant toilet of claim 1, wherein said frame includes a curved front surface positioned between a left surface and a right surface.

3. The ligature resistant toilet of claim 2, wherein a rounded transition edge is positioned between said curved front surface and said left surface of said frame, and wherein a rounded transition edge is positioned between said top surface and said right surface of said frame.

4. The ligature resistant toilet of claim 1, wherein said seat assembly is positioned atop the bowl assembly.

5. The ligature resistant toilet of claim 1, wherein a top surface platform extends rearwardly from said seat assembly.

6. The ligature resistant toilet of claim 5, wherein a rounded transition is positioned between said top surface platform and said seat assembly.

7. The ligature resistant toilet of claim 1, wherein said seat assembly includes a seat, and wherein said seat is integrally formed with the top surface of said frame.

8. The ligature resistant toilet of claim 7, wherein said seat is raised with respect to a top surface platform that extends rearwardly from said seat assembly.

9. The ligature resistant toilet of claim 7, wherein a lip is positioned between a first end of said seat and a second end of said seat, and wherein said first end and said second end of said seat are raised with respect to said lip.

10. The ligature resistant toilet of claim 1, wherein the bowl assembly includes a bowl positioned within said hollow interior of said frame and a spray ring attached at a top surface of said bowl.

11. The ligature resistant toilet of claim 10, wherein an inner surface of said seat assembly is wrapped around said spray ring to attach said spray ring and said bowl to said frame.

12. The ligature resistant toilet of claim 11, further comprising: a seal gasket positioned between said spray ring and said frame, wherein said seal gasket is configured to prevent liquid from entering the hollow interior of said frame.

13. The ligature resistant toilet of claim 10, wherein said bowl assembly includes a trapway attached to said bowl, and wherein said trapway includes a tube opening configured to receive a pipe to connect the toilet to an exterior plumbing system.

14. The ligature resistant toilet of claim 13, wherein said pipe connecting the toilet to the exterior plumbing system exits said frame at a rear surface opening.

15. The ligature resistant toilet of claim 13, wherein said pipe connecting the toilet to the exterior plumbing system exits said frame at a bottom surface opening.

16. A method comprising: rotationally molding a frame of a ligature resistant toilet, wherein said frame defines a hollow interior and includes a top surface with a seat assembly defined on said top surface; attaching a bowl assembly to said frame so that said bowl assembly is positioned within a hollow interior defined by said frame, wherein said bowl assembly includes a bowl; and wherein said frame is seamless and monolithic.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein said seat assembly includes an inner surface, and wherein said inner surface of said seat assembly is wrapped around a top surface of said bowl of said bowl assembly to attach said bowl assembly to said frame.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said bowl assembly includes a spray ring and wherein said inner surface of said seat assembly is wrapped around said spray ring when said bowl assembly is attached to said frame.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising, inserting a seal gasket between said spray ring and said seat assembly of said frame.

20. The method of claim 16, further comprising, attaching a trapway of the bowl assembly to a pipe, wherein at least a portion of said pipe is positioned within said hollow interior of said frame and at least a portion of said pipe is exterior of said frame.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] FIG. 1 is a left side perspective view of a ligature resistant toilet.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a right side perspective view of the ligature resistant toilet of FIG. 1.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a left side view of the ligature resistant toilet of FIG. 1.

[0015] FIG. 4 is a right side view of the ligature resistant toilet of FIG. 1.

[0016] FIG. 5 is a top view of the ligature resistant toilet of FIG. 1.

[0017] FIG. 6 is a front view of the ligature resistant toilet of FIG. 1.

[0018] FIG. 7 is a rear view of the ligature resistant toilet of FIG. 1.

[0019] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional left side view of an embodiment of the ligature resistant toilet of FIG. 1.

[0020] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional left side view of an embodiment of the ligature resistant toilet of FIG. 1.

[0021] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional left side view of an embodiment of the ligature resistant toilet of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications in the described embodiments, and any further applications of the principles of the invention as described herein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. One embodiment of the invention is shown in great detail, although it will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art that some features that are not relevant to the present invention may not be shown for the sake of clarity.

[0023] Spatially relative terms such as lower, upper, under, over, above and the like may be used to describe and element's and/or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s), for example as depicted in the Figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different operations of the system, device or component in use in addition to the orientation described or depicted in the Figures. For example, if a device or component as depicted in the Figures is inverted, an element that is shown and described as upper would then be oriented as lower.

[0024] As disclosed above, aspects of the present disclosure relate to a toilet, and in particular a ligature-resistant toilet that may have at least a portion that is produced through a rotational molding process.

[0025] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate perspective views of a ligature resistant toilet 100. As shown in the perspective view illustrated in FIG. 1, the toilet 100 includes a frame 110 and a bowl assembly 170 that is surrounded by the frame 110. In some embodiments, the frame 110 may be a monolithic structure formed as a seamless, single-piece component. The frame may be made from plastic or a similar suitable material for using with a rotational molding process.

[0026] The frame 110 includes a bottom surface 112, a front surface 116, a left surface 122 (see FIG. 1), and a right surface 128 (see FIG. 2). In the embodiment shown, the front surface 116 is curved and is positioned between the left surface 122 and the right surface 128. A rear surface 140 is positioned between the left surface 122 and the right surface 128, opposing the front surface 116 of the frame 110.

[0027] The frame 110 also includes a top surface 150 that defines a seat assembly 152 that sits atop the bowl assembly 170. The top surface 150 connects to the front surface 116, the left surface 122, and the right surface 128 at a transition surface 168. A rounded upper transition edge 167 is positioned between the top surface 150 and the transition surface 168. A rounded lower transition edge 169 is positioned between the left surface 122 and the transition surface 168 and between the right surface 128 and the transition surface 168. The rounded transition surface and the rounded upper transition edge 167 and lower transition edge 169 reduce the risk of ligature points on the toilet 100 and eliminates any sharp edges between the top surface 150 and the rest of the frame 110 that could act as a possible source of injury for a user of the toilet 100.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 3, in some embodiments, a left ridge 124 may extend through the left surface 122 so that the left surface 122 is tiered with a left surface top portion 125 extending outward more than a left surface bottom portion 127. The left ridge 124 may be rounded so that there is a reduced possibility of ligature points at the left ridge 124. In other embodiments, the left ridge 124 may not be present on the left surface 122 so that the left surface 122 is substantially planar.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 4, in some embodiments, a right ridge 130 may extend the right surface 128 of the frame so that the right surface 128 is tiered with a right surface top portion 131 extending outward more than a bottom portion 133 of the right surface 128. The right ridge 130 may have a rounded surface so that there is a reduced possibility of ligature points at the right ridge 130. In other embodiments, the right ridge 130 may not be present on the right surface 128 so that the right surface 128 is substantially planar.

[0030] A top view of the toilet 100 is shown in FIG. 5. As shown, the top surface 150 includes the seat assembly 152 and a top surface platform 165 extending rearwardly from the seat assembly 152. In the embodiment shown, the top surface platform 165 is flat and planar. However, in other embodiments, the top surface platform 165 may have texture or be nonplanar. The transition 166 between the top surface platform 165 and the seat assembly 152 is rounded or curved to avoid possible ligature points at the transition 166.

[0031] The seat assembly 152 includes a seat 153 that is raised with respect to the top surface platform 165. The seat 153 is an integrally formed component of the top surface 150 of the toilet 100 and may not be raised and lowered. In this embodiment, the seat 153 is curved to form a horseshoe shape and has a first end 154 and a second end 155. An inner surface of the seat assembly 152 forms a perimeter that defines a bowl recess 159 that allows access to a bowl 172 of the bowl assembly 170. A lip 158 is positioned between the first end 154 and the second end 155 of the seat 153. As shown in FIG. 6, the ends 154, 155 of the seat 153 are raised with respect to the lip 158. The transitions 157 between the lip 158 and the ends 154, 155 of the seat 153 are rounded or curved to avoid sharp edges that may be used as ligature points.

[0032] A rear view of the toilet 100 is shown in FIG. 7. The rear surface 140 of the frame 110 includes an outer section 141 and an inner section 143. The outer section 141 and the inner section 143 of the rear surface 140 are separated by a rear surface ledge 142 that is contoured so that the inner section 143 is recessed with respect to the outer section 141. The rear surface ledge 142 includes rounded corners and curved surfaces that assist to prevent ligature points. A rear surface opening 145 is defined through the rear surface 140, with the inner section 143 acting as a perimeter surrounding the rear surface opening 145. The rear surface opening 145 allows access to a hollow interior 180 of the toilet 100 which provides space for pipes and other plumbing features that may be necessary to operate the toilet 100.

[0033] Bowl 172 of the bowl assembly 170 is shown within the hollow interior 180 of the toilet 100. A trapway 176 is positioned beneath and attached to the bowl 172 of the bowl assembly 170. The trapway 176 includes a tube opening 177 for receiving a plumbing tube for connecting the toilet 100 to an exterior plumbing system. In some embodiments, the bowl 172 and the trapway 176 of the bowl assembly 170 may be made from stainless steel. However, in other embodiments, the bowl 172 and the trapway 176 may be made from any other suitable material as desired.

[0034] A cross-sectional view of the toilet 100 is shown in FIG. 8. The cross-sectional view shows the frame 110 surrounding the hollow interior 180 of the toilet 100. The bowl assembly 170 is positioned within the hollow interior 180 of the toilet 100. A spray ring 174 is positioned on a bowl top surface 173 and may cover the entirety of the top surface of the bowl 172. The inner surface 156 of the seat assembly 152 may wrap around the spray ring 174 to attach the spray ring 174 and the bowl 172 to the frame 110 of the toilet 100. A seal gasket 175 is positioned between the spray ring 174 and the frame 110 to prevent liquid from the spray ring 174 from entering the interior 180 of the frame 110.

[0035] In some embodiments, the inner surface 156 of the seat assembly 152 may wrap around the spray ring 174 and the top surface 173 of the bowl 172 so that no edges of the spray ring 174 or the bowl 172 are exposed to a user. This assists to prevent ligature points or sharp edges that may be created by the bowl 172 or the spray ring 174. Therefore, when the toilet 100 is mounted to a support surface, such as a wall, the only portions of the toilet 100 that are accessible to the user is the outer surfaces of the frame 110 and the surface of a portion of the bowl 172 that is accessible through the bowl recess 159. The rounded corners and the one-piece, seamless design of the frame 110 and the smooth surface of the portion of the bowl 172 accessible through the bowl recess 159 reduce the possibility of ligature points and sharp edges on the toilet 100.

[0036] The trapway 176 may be attached to a pipe 190 that removes material from the bowl 172 to an exterior plumbing system or to another desired location. In the embodiment shown, the pipe 190 exits the frame 110 at the rear of the frame out of the rear surface opening 145. As shown, in some embodiments, the pipe 190 may have a bent section 191 to change the position of the pipe 190 if necessary to align the pipe 190 with a plumbing outlet positioned exterior to the hollow interior 180 of the toilet 100. In other embodiments, the pipe 190 may have any suitable shape to allow connection between the trapway 176 and exterior plumbing. FIGS. 9-10 show alternative embodiments of the pipe 190. For example, in FIG. 9, the pipe 190 includes a curved section 193 that allows the pipe 190 to exit the hollow interior 180 of the toilet 100 at a bottom surface opening 113 defined through the bottom surface 112 of the frame 110. FIG. 10 illustrated another embodiment in which the pipe 190 includes an S-shaped section 197 and exits the frame 110 of the toilet 100 through the rear surface opening 145 defined through the rear surface 140.

[0037] In some embodiments, the frame 110 may include an access panel that allows access to the hollow interior 180 of the frame 110. The access panel may allow easy access to the bowl assembly and other plumbing components within the hollow interior 180 when repairs are necessary. In some embodiments, the access panel may be positioned on the front surface 116 of the frame. In other examples, the access panel may be located on the left surface 122 or on the right surface 128 of the frame 110.

[0038] The frame 110 of the ligature resistant toilet 100 may be manufactured using rotational molding. Rotational molding is a manufacturing process that is suitable for creating hollow, one-piece components. The rotational molding process starts with a product material that is usually in powder form, but may be a liquid in some embodiments. Typically, the product material is some variety of polymer or plastic, but other suitable materials may be used as desired. The product material is inserted into a mold that is formed into the shape of the final product. The mold is closed with the product material inside and the mold is rotated about at least two axes. In some embodiments, the mold may also be rotated at varying speeds.

[0039] As the mold is rotated, the mold and the product material within the mold is heated. As the mold is rotated, the heated product material is pushed against the walls of the mold through centrifugal force. After the product material has been adhered to the walls of the mold, the mold is cooled to allow the product material to solidify into a final product in the desired shape of the mold. After cooling, the final product is removed from the mold. In some embodiments, the product material will shrink during the cooling process, allowing easy removal of the final product from the mold.

[0040] Rotational molding may be beneficial for manufacturing ligature resistant components because rotational molding may be used to creates a seamless product. Therefore, toilet 100 can be produced through rotational molding so that the toilet 100 does not have any seams. A seam may produce a ligature point on a product, so the reduction of seams or the complete elimination of seams on toilet 100 reduces the number of potential ligature points.

[0041] The uses of the terms a and an and the and similar references herein (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., such as) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate embodiments of the disclosure and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the disclosure unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the products or methods defined by the claims.

[0042] While embodiments of the disclosure have been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only some embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the disclosures herein are desired to be protected.