Combination toilet urinal with overspray and splash containment features

Abstract

The combination toilet urinal with overspray and splash containment features a combination toilet and urinal fixture. While avoiding the cost and space requirements of an individual toilet and a separate urinal, the device also anticipates splashing and misdirection, or overspray, associated with the use of a toilet in a standing position. The result is a compact unit that acts both as a toilet and urinal, while maintaining cleanliness of the toilet for users who need to sit. To combine the two devices, a urinal basin is incorporated into the toilet tank space. The urinal basin is ideally incorporated into the front of the toilet tank, allowing access to the urinal from the toilet-seat side of the tank. Restated, the urinal basin is accessible from the frontthe same direction a user would commonly stand to urinate into the toilet or urinal.

Claims

1. A combination urinal and toilet assembly for collection of urine comprising: a toilet having a bowl and a tank; a urinal integrated into a front portion of the tank, with a front-facing urinal opening for receiving urine; a urinal lid hingedly coupled to the urinal; the urinal lid movable between a closed position covering the front-facing urinal opening and an open position exposing the front-facing urinal opening; a lower lid; the lower lid separate from the urinal lid; the lower lid rotating between an upper position where the lower lid raised with the urinal lid, and a lower position where the lower lid covers the bowl and a toilet seat; wherein when the urinal lid is in the open position, the front-facing urinal opening is configured to direct urine from the front-facing urinal opening into a urinal drain.

2. The combination urinal and toilet assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a perforated screen; the perforated screen positioned above the urinal lid when the urinal lid is in an open position; whereby the perforated screen absorbs inertia of the urine, therefore reducing splashing and aiding in draining.

3. The combination urinal and toilet assembly of claim 2, the urinal further comprising: secondary screening; the secondary screening within the urinal integrated into a front portion of the tank; the secondary screening reducing a velocity of urine that is passing into the urinal, thereby encouraging the urine to fall toward the urinal drain rather than splash toward a user.

4. The combination urinal and toilet assembly of claim 2, the urinal further comprising: a splash containment cavity with a first splash redirecting face and a second splash redirecting face; the first splash redirecting face and the second splash redirecting face set at an angle with respect to each other, the angle being neither perpendicular nor parallel; the first splash redirecting face redirecting urine toward the splash containment cavity; the second splash redirecting face redirecting urine toward the splash containment cavity; the first splash redirecting face and the second splash redirecting face acting to contain urine within the urinal and prevent splashing back toward a user.

5. The combination urinal and toilet assembly of claim 1, further comprising: anti-rotation seat anchor points; the anti-rotation seat anchor points connecting a seat to the bowl; the anti-rotation seat anchor points having a non-circular shape to prevent rotation.

6. The combination urinal and toilet assembly of claim 1, wherein the urinal lid further comprises: an upper flange, a lower flange, and a flange drip edge; the upper flange and lower flange joined to an outer edge of a drain pan of the urinal lid, the upper flange protruding upward when the urinal lid is in a lowered position, the lower flange protruding downward when the urinal lid is in the lowered position; the upper flange containing urine within the drain pan; the lower flange shielding a toilet seat from misdirected urine; the flange drip edge protruding downward and away from the lower flange; the flange drip edge acting to direct falling urine away from a toilet bowl.

7. The combination urinal and toilet assembly of claim 1, wherein: the urinal lid further comprises an upper flange; the upper flange joined to an outer edge of a drain pan of the urinal lid, the upper flange protruding upward when the urinal lid is in a lowered position; the upper flange containing urine within the drain pan; the lower lid further comprises a lower flange and a flange drip edge; the lower flange and the flange drip edge protruding downward when the urinal lid is in the lowered position; the lower flange shielding a toilet seat from misdirected urine; the flange drip edge protruding downward and away from the lower flange; the flange drip edge acting to direct falling urine away from a toilet bowl.

8. A toilet assembly comprising: a toilet bowl; a tank associated with the toilet bowl; a toilet seat for use above the toilet bowl; a urinal integrated into a front portion of the tank, the tank separated into a first water reservoir and a second water reservoir; the urinal comprising: an inset forming a urinal space; a urinal lid rotatably coupled to the urinal and movable between an open position exposing the urinal space and a closed position covering the urinal space; and a drain passage providing fluid communication between the urinal space and an interior of the tank when the urinal lid is in the closed position; an anti-splatter screen disposed in the urinal space; wherein when the urinal lid is in the open position, the anti-splatter screen is configured to reduce splashing of urine entering the urinal space.

9. The toilet assembly of claim 8, wherein when the urinal lid is in the closed position, it covers the toilet seat.

10. The toilet assembly of claim 8, further comprising: a fluid conduit providing fluid communication between a tank interior and the toilet bowl to flush the toilet bowl with water from the tank mixed with any urine drained into the tank interior from a urinal drain passage.

11. The toilet assembly of claim 8, further comprising: a perforated screen; the perforated screen positioned above the urinal lid when the urinal lid is in an open position; whereby the perforated screen absorbs inertia of the urine, therefore reducing splashing and aiding in draining.

12. The toilet assembly of claim 8, the urinal further comprising: a splash containment cavity with a first splash redirecting face and a second splash redirecting face; the first splash redirecting face and the second splash redirecting face set at an angle with respect to each other, the angle being neither perpendicular nor parallel; the first splash redirecting face redirecting urine toward the splash containment cavity; the second splash redirecting face redirecting urine toward the splash containment cavity; the first splash redirecting face and the second splash redirecting face acting to contain urine within the urinal and prevent splashing back toward a user.

13. The toilet assembly of claim 8, wherein the urinal lid, when in the closed position, covers a seat portion of the toilet bowl.

14. The toilet assembly of claim 8, wherein the urinal lid further comprises: an upper flange, a lower flange, and a flange drip edge; the upper flange and lower flange joined to an outer edge of a drain pan of the urinal lid, the upper flange protruding upward when the urinal lid is in a lowered position, the lower flange protruding downward when the urinal lid is in the lowered position; the upper flange containing urine within the drain pan; the lower flange shielding a toilet seat from misdirected urine; the flange drip edge protruding downward and away from the lower flange; the flange drip edge acting to direct falling urine away from a toilet bowl.

15. The toilet assembly of claim 8, wherein: the urinal lid further comprises an upper flange; the upper flange joined to an outer edge of a drain pan of the urinal lid, the upper flange protruding upward when the urinal lid is in a lowered position; the upper flange containing urine within the drain pan; a lower lid further comprises a lower flange and a flange drip edge; the lower flange and the flange drip edge protruding downward when the urinal lid is in the lowered position; the lower flange shielding a toilet seat from misdirected urine; the flange drip edge protruding downward and away from the lower flange; the flange drip edge acting to direct falling urine away from a toilet bowl.

16. A toilet and urinal assembly comprising: a toilet bowl; a tank operatively connected to the toilet bowl, the tank comprising: a first reservoir; a second reservoir; a urinal inset between the first reservoir and the second reservoir; a urinal lid hingedly coupled to the tank and movable between: a lower position covering the toilet bowl and configured to collect urine, and an upper position exposing the toilet bowl for seated use and allowing collected urine to drain into the urinal; wherein any urine collected in the urinal lid while it is in the lower position drains into the urinal when the urinal lid is raised to the upper position.

17. The toilet and urinal assembly of claim 16, further comprising: a perforated screen; the perforated screen positioned above the urinal lid when the urinal lid is in an open position; whereby the perforated screen absorbs inertia of the urine, therefore reducing splashing and aiding in draining.

18. The toilet and urinal assembly of claim 17, the urinal further comprising: secondary screening; the secondary screening within the urinal integrated into a front portion of the tank; the secondary screening reducing a velocity of urine that is passing into the urinal, thereby encouraging the urine to fall toward a drain rather than splash toward a user.

19. The toilet and urinal assembly of claim 16, the urinal further comprising: a splash containment cavity with a first splash redirecting face and a second splash redirecting face; the first splash redirecting face and the second splash redirecting face set at an angle with respect to each other, the angle being neither perpendicular nor parallel; the first splash redirecting face redirecting urine toward the splash containment cavity; the second splash redirecting face redirecting urine toward the splash containment cavity; the first splash redirecting face and the second splash redirecting face acting to contain urine within the urinal and prevent splashing back toward a user.

20. The toilet and urinal assembly of claim 16, wherein the urinal lid further comprises: an upper flange, a lower flange, and a flange drip edge; the upper flange and lower flange joined to an outer edge of a drain pan of the urinal lid, the upper flange protruding upward when the urinal lid is in a lowered position, the lower flange protruding downward when the urinal lid is in the lowered position; the upper flange containing urine within the drain pan; the lower flange shielding a toilet seat from misdirected urine; the flange drip edge protruding downward and away from the lower flange; the flange drip edge acting to direct falling urine away from a toilet bowl.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0025] FIG. 1A illustrates a first isometric view of the combination toilet and urinal with overspray and splash containment.

[0026] FIG. 1B illustrates a second isometric view of the combination toilet and urinal with overspray and splash containment.

[0027] FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the combination toilet and urinal with overspray and splash containment.

[0028] FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the combination toilet and urinal with overspray and splash containment.

[0029] FIG. 4 illustrates a second cross-sectional view of the combination toilet and urinal with overspray and splash containment.

[0030] FIG. 5 illustrates a first schematic view of the urinal of the combination toilet and urinal with overspray and splash containment.

[0031] FIG. 6 illustrates a first schematic view of the urinal and urinal lid of the combination toilet and urinal with overspray and splash containment.

[0032] FIG. 7 illustrates a second schematic view of the urinal and urinal lid of the combination toilet and urinal with overspray and splash containment.

[0033] FIG. 8A illustrates a cross-sectional view of the bowl, seat, and lids of the combination toilet and urinal with overspray and splash containment.

[0034] FIG. 8B illustrates a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the bowl, seat, and lids of the combination toilet and urinal with overspray and splash containment.

[0035] FIG. 8C illustrates a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of the bowl, seat, and lids of the combination toilet and urinal with overspray and splash containment.

[0036] FIG. 9 illustrates a top view of the tank showing the buttons of the combination toilet and urinal with overspray and splash containment.

[0037] FIG. 10 illustrates a schematic view of the spray system of the urinal of the combination toilet and urinal with overspray and splash containment.

[0038] FIG. 11 illustrates an isometric view of the bowl with the anti-rotation attachment points.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures.

[0040] Referring to FIG. 1A, a first isometric view of the combination toilet and urinal with overspray and splash containment is shown.

[0041] The toilet and urinal combination device 100 is shown with the primary parts of tank 110, tank lid 112, bowl 114, and urinal 140. The urinal 140 is inset into, and is part of, the tank 110.

[0042] The bowl and seat cover mechanism 150 is shown lowered, protecting the seat 162 (see FIG. 8A) from encountering urine. The bowl and seat cover mechanism 150 has a direction of slope 168 toward the urinal 140, encouraging drainage.

[0043] The bowl and seat cover mechanism 150 is preferably shaped to match the shape of the front of the tank 110, but other shapes are anticipated.

[0044] The bowl and seat cover mechanism 150 is larger in all dimensions than the seat 162, preventing the possibility of urine contacting the seat 162 (see FIG. 8A).

[0045] When raised, the bowl and seat cover mechanism 150 covers the urinal 140, meeting with the front of the tank 110 to create an integrated appearance.

[0046] Referring to FIG. 1B, a second isometric view of the combination toilet and urinal with overspray and splash containment is shown.

[0047] In this figure, the bowl 114 is of a more rectangular shape to better match the shape of the lower lid 160.

[0048] Also shown is gasket 230 to create a seal between the tank 110 and the bowl and seat cover mechanism 150 when in the raised position. The gasket 230 creates a seal to prevent outward splashing during flushing, and also during rinsing operations that use the water spray nozzles 180 (see FIG. 10). Referring to FIG. 2, a side view of the combination toilet and urinal with overspray and splash containment is shown.

[0049] A toilet flush mechanism 134 is held within the tank 110, preferably being a commercially-available standard mechanism. The toilet flush mechanism 134 interfaces with the first water reservoir 130 and the second water reservoir 132 (see FIG. 5).

[0050] The bowl and seat cover mechanism 150 is again shown placed over the bowl 114.

[0051] Referring to FIG. 3, a cross-sectional view of the combination toilet and urinal with overspray and splash containment is shown.

[0052] The urinal 140 and bowl 114 both drain in a flush direction 136.

[0053] The drain pan 154 drains toward the drain pan flange 153, which in turn drains into the urinal 140. Restated, the drain pan flange 153 bridges the distance between the rear of the drain pan 154 and the front of the tank 110, carrying any urine past the lower lid 160 and into the urinal 140.

[0054] Note that even in the lowered position, the drain pan 154 has a direction of slope 168 toward the urinal 140. This is likely accomplished by having feet (not shown) or other supports for the drain pan 154 that are taller at the front edge of the bowl 114 than at the rear edge.

[0055] P-traps 115 are illustrated schematically and are required to avoid venting of sewer gas into the living space.

[0056] FIG. 4 illustrates a second cross-sectional view of the combination toilet and urinal with overspray and splash containment.

[0057] In this figure, the drain pan 154 has been lifted, altering the direction of slope 168 to vertical or nearly vertical, completing draining of any urine on the drain pan 154 into the urinal 140. The drain pan flange 153 is connected to the drain pan 154 via a hinge, allowing the drain pan flange 153 to bend as the drain pan 154 is lifted.

[0058] Referring to FIG. 5, a first schematic view of the urinal of the combination toilet and urinal with overspray and splash containment is shown.

[0059] Urine 148 enters the urinal 140, preferably being trapped within the splash containment cavity 144. Optional secondary screening 146 also acts to absorb inertia of the incoming urine 148.

[0060] If the urine 148 does not reach the splash containment cavity 144, it may come into contact with the splash redirecting faces 142, which redirect any urine splashes inward, where they will be washed away by the flushing and rinsing action of the urinal 140.

[0061] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, a first schematic view and a second schematic view of the urinal and urinal lid of the combination toilet and urinal with overspray and splash containment are shown.

[0062] The toilet and urinal combination device 100 is shown with the tank 110 including a first water reservoir 130 and a second water reservoir 132.

[0063] Urine preferably reaches the ideal target area 170 where it passes into the drain 141. Urine that falls short will fall into the anticipated target area 172, where its energy is absorbed by the screen 166 before it reaches the drain pan 154 draining into the urinal 140 and ultimately through the drain 141.

[0064] The drain pan 154 meets the urinal at the hinge 155, across which urine drains as the drain pan is lifted against the toilet tank 110.

[0065] Referring to FIG. 8A, a cross-sectional view of the bowl, seat, and lids of the combination toilet and urinal with overspray and splash containment is shown.

[0066] The bowl and seat cover mechanism 150 includes the urinal lid 152, which includes the drain pan 154 with upper flange 156 and lower flange 158, and screen 166.

[0067] Urine 148 falls onto screen 166, which absorbs the bulk of the kinetic energy. Urine then drains do the drain pan 154, passing into the urinal 140 (see FIGS. 3 and 4).

[0068] Urine overshoot 149 that contacts the upper flange 156 or lower flange 158 is diverted away from the upper edge of the bowl 164 by the flange drip edge 159. The result is that any urine overshoot 149 falls onto the floor, where it is more easily cleaned than if it had contacted the toilet itself.

[0069] Below the urinal lid 152 is the lower lid 160, which in turn covers the seat 162 and the upper edge of bowl 164.

[0070] Referring to FIG. 8B, a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the bowl, seat, and lids of the combination toilet and urinal with overspray and splash containment is shown.

[0071] In the second embodiment, the lower flange is an extension of the lower lid 160, rather than the lower flange 158 being an extension of the drain pan 154, as shown in FIG. 8A.

[0072] The lower lid 160 rotates independently of the drain pan 154. In the primary embodiment the lower lid 160 and the drain pan 154 share a hinge. Therefore, the lower lid 160 and the drain pan 154 preferably rotate about the same axis.

[0073] The lower lid 160 can either be raised to an upper position along with the drain pan 154, exposing the seat 162, or dropped to a lowered position to cover the seat 162 and the upper edge of the bowl 164. When the lower lid 160 is in the lowered position, the drain pan 154, also known as the urinal lid, can be either in its raised or lowered positions.

[0074] To aid with alignment of the drain pan 154 and lower lid 160, an alignment apparatus 220 helps to position the lid 160 with respect to the lower flange 158 when they are both in the lowered position or both in the upper position. The alignment apparatus is shown with a first alignment component 222 and a second alignment component 224. In this embodiment, the first alignment component 222 is a shallow recess and the second alignment component 224 is a protrusion. In alternative embodiments other types of alignment components are anticipated, including pins and recesses, magnets, and so forth.

[0075] Referring to FIG. 8C, a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of the bowl, seat, and lids of the combination toilet and urinal with overspray and splash containment is shown.

[0076] In the third embodiment, the drain pan 154 also includes a lower flange 158 with a flange drip edge 159, further preventing urine from contacting the upper edge of the bowl 164 or reaching the lower lid 160.

[0077] Again shown is the optional alignment apparatus 220 to position the lid 160 with respect to the lower flange 158 when they are both in the lowered position or both in the upper position. The alignment apparatus is again shown with a first alignment component 222 and a second alignment component 224. Referring to FIG. 9, a top view of the tank showing the buttons of the combination toilet and urinal with overspray and splash containment is shown.

[0078] The tank lid 112 preferably includes the controls, including a urinal lid down button 120, a urinal lid up button 122, a low volume flush button 124, and a high volume flush button 126. But the buttons 120/122/124/126 can be placed in other locations.

[0079] Referring to FIG. 10, a schematic view of the spray system of the urinal of the combination toilet and urinal with overspray and splash containment is illustrated

[0080] Shown are potential locations for water spray nozzles 180 which dispense water streams 182, mimicking the paths of the urine 148 (see FIG. 5), therefore effectively rinsing the urinal 140.

[0081] The water spray nozzles 180 are preferably constructed from rubber material that reduces clogging from hard water deposits or other water contaminants. Water spray nozzles 180 will be located above any anticipated paths of urine, to avoid the water spray nozzles 180 from becoming contaminated.

[0082] Referring to FIG. 11, an isometric view of the bowl with the anti-rotation attachment points is illustrated.

[0083] The toilet and urinal combination device 100 is shown with seat anchor points 190 as part of the bowl 114.

[0084] The seat anchor points 190 are shown as cross-shaped to resist rotation. Traditional seat anchor points are round, which can allow the seat 162 (see FIG. 8A) to rotate out of position.

[0085] The seat anchor points 190 shown resist rotation, maintaining the seat in alignment. Alternative seat anchor point shapes are anticipated, including triangles, squares, splined connections, and so forth.

[0086] Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set forth above such that they perform in substantially the same manner in substantially the same way for achieving substantially the same result.