Abstract:
A low flow urinal includes a bowl which incorporates a plurality of spray nozzles communicated by an inlet flow line. A structurally supporting stem extends from a location of the bowl and terminates in a remote pivot support secured to a floor location. The bowl secures against an upright wall surface in a first non-use position. An underside extending support is integrally formed with an underside of the bowl and provides floor support of the bowl when rotated to a second floor supporting location. A second drain line extends from a drain location associated with the bowl, with either or both the inlet and outlet lines optionally communicating with an associated toilet or separately engaged with fluid supply and waste discharge lines.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/174,527, filed May 1, 2009. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to a low flow urinal design, such as which can be utilized as an auxiliary component of an existing toilet. More specifically, the present invention discloses a pivotal and floor mounted low flow urinal which includes an underside positioned support for positioning the urinal body a desired elevated distance generally corresponding to that associated with the conventional toilet and when displaced from a first vertically extending and wall secured position to a second floor supported use position. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention discloses a number of auxiliary urinal devices, such as for use with or as a standalone to an existing flush toilet. The concept behind auxiliary urinals is in seeking to minimize excessive water use associated with flushing a conventional toilet and which is typically necessitated in the discharge of solid waste. 
         [0004]    Among the prior art relevant to this technology is the drained urine receptacle disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,228,572 to Holden and which discloses an inverted truncated cone supported atop a length adjustable pivot arm which is internally hollowed to permit urine drain. The pivot arm is pedestal floor mounted and can include a spring coil base to facilitate pivoting between use and non-use positions. 
         [0005]    Corbin, U.S. Pat. No. 5,655,230, teaches au auxiliary urinal retrofittable to an existing commode. The urinal is connected to a base plate which is placed between the base of the toilet and the floor and allows the urinal to drain liquid into the drain used by the commode. The urinal further exhibits a cup shaped head with a flush ring therein and a free standing semi-rigid drain line connected thereto and to the base plate to effect drainage. The semi-rigid drain line has limited travel segments to allow the user to manually position the urinal head to an optimum use position. 
         [0006]    Another example of a wall mountable and low flow urinal is set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 7,331,068, issued to Tichenor, and which incorporates a misting water jet centered above the bowl. The water mist washes the entire bowl up to its upper edge and the water droplets that accumulate on the bowl are guided into the drain. A sensor is provided for initiating the flushing water mist, for a predetermined time interval and in response to detecting a user&#39;s presence. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention discloses a low flow urinal includes a bowl which incorporates a plurality of spray nozzles communicated by an inlet flow line. A structurally supporting stem extends from a location of the bowl and terminates in a remote pivot support secured to a floor to corner location. The bowl secures against an upright wall surface in a first non-use position. An underside extending support is integrally formed with an underside of the bowl and provides floor support of the bowl when rotated to a second floor supporting location. 
         [0008]    A second drain line extends from a drain location associated with the bowl, with either or both the inlet and outlet lines optionally communicating with an associated toilet or separately engaged with fluid supply and waste discharge lines. The inlet flow and/or drain lines can tap into the existing fluid lines servicing a standard toilet, in proximity to which the low flow urinal can be pivotally mounted. Alternatively, the urinal can be mounted as a stand-alone unit in communication with existing water inlet and waste discharge lines. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    Reference will now be made to the attached drawings, when read in combination with the following detailed description, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and in which: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a pivotal and wall mounted low flow urinal according to the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the urinal shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a right side view of the urinal; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a front view of the urinal; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is an exploded view of the pivotal and low flow wall mounted urinal; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the urinal as shown in  FIG. 3  in which its structurally supporting stem assists in pivoting the bowl to a forward use position about a lower wall edge secured pivot bracket; 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a front view similar to that previously shown in  FIG. 4  and corresponding to the forward/downward pivoted position of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the urinal in the position shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  is a rear view of the urinal in its upright position and showing the features of the inlet supply and outlet drain lines; 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  is an enlarged side view similar to that shown in  FIG. 3  and showing the structurally supporting stem in partial cutaway to better illustrate the arrangement of the inlet supply and outlet waste/drain lines; 
           [0020]      FIG. 11  generally replicates the view shown in  FIG. 7 , with the structural supporting stem in partial cutaway to better illustrate the bracket supports; 
           [0021]      FIG. 12  generally repeats the illustration of  FIG. 6  with outer sheathing of the structurally supporting stem removed in order to better illustrate the features of the floor to wall corner bracket mount along with the fluid inlet supply; 
           [0022]      FIG. 13  is a rotated and rear side facing perspective of the urinal as substantially shown in the position of  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 14  is an enlarged bottom sectional view and better illustrating the features of the pivot bracket associated with the floor to wall mount and for providing pivoting support to the structural supporting stem; 
           [0024]      FIG. 15  is an opposite read side perspective of the urinal as substantially depicted in  FIG. 12 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 16  is an enlarged bottom sectional view of the pivot bracket also shown in  FIG. 14  and in illustrating in more detailed fashion the guided pivoting motion afforded the structural supporting stem relative to a pair of biasing and arcuated support guides; 
           [0026]      FIG. 17  is a side view illustrating the urinal in a generally mid-pivot position between the upright position of  FIG. 3  and most forwardly pivoted position of  FIGS. 6 and 12 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 18  is a perspective view generally corresponding to that shown in  FIG. 15  and in which the structurally supporting stem is substantially illustrated without a top fascia covering; and 
           [0028]      FIG. 19  is an enlarged bottom sectional view of the pivot bracket mount illustrated in  FIG. 18 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0029]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1-19 , a series of plan, perspective, and sectional cutaway views are illustrated of a pivotal and wall mounted low flow urinal, shown at  10 , in use with an existing toilet (see at  12  in  FIG. 7 ). As will be described in additional detail, the urinal design  10  functions either as a stand-alone or as an auxiliary component in use with the existing toilet  12  and provides a low flow alternative for evacuating urinary (e.g. non fecal) deposits, while realizing significant water savings over the normal amount expended (typically a gallon or more) when flushing a conventional toilet. 
         [0030]    The urinal  10  includes a body (such as constructed of porcelain but also contemplating plasticized composites) exhibiting a generally rounded or oval three dimensional bowl shape  14 , such as further contemplating the use of a polymeric (e.g. sanitary plastic) or other suitable material. The bowl  14  can be configured for gripping and pivotally displacing by an individual and such as can include one or more gripping handles (not shown) extending outwardly from the front or sides of the bowl  14 . An upper facing opening of the bowl  14  is surrounded by a rim supporting portion  18 . The rim  18  is typically pivotally secured atop an upper edge  19  (again  FIG. 5 ) of the bowl  14  and supports an underside of an associated lid  20 . 
         [0031]    A structurally supporting stem portion extends from a rear surface of the bowl  14  and includes at least one, and typically pairs of, structurally interconnecting sections  22  and  24 . The structurally supporting stem can exhibit one fixed overall length or, as best shown in the exploded view of  FIG. 5 , the tubular sections  22  and  24  can be telescopingly engaged by brackets  25  and  27  with fasteners which seat within selected apertures defined at linear spaced locations along the telescoping portions  22  and  24  and in order to establish a desired length. 
         [0032]    As further shown, outer structural or decorative sheathings, at  26  and  28 , are provided as a fascia covering associated with the stem portions  22  and  24 . The tubular sections  22  and  24  are also curved at their opposite non-interconnecting ends, with lower outwardly curved ends  30  of the sections  22  seating within a floor to wall corner mount bracket  32  with attaching bolt and nut fasteners  33 . 
         [0033]    Subsequent articulation of the stem is facilitated by an arcuate support and guide  34 , this being secured by additional clips or fasteners (see at  36  in  FIG. 5 ). Attachable end caps  38  and  40  secure a crosswise axis associated with the curved ends  30 , and which are supported in a widthwise and channeled supported fashion between end defined flanges  42  and  44  associated with the corner mount bracket  32 . Fascia pieces  46  and  48  secure to the extending leg portions associated with the bracket  32  and in order to cover the pivotally mounted ends  30  of the lower tubular portions  22 . 
         [0034]    As again best shown in  FIG. 5 , upper outwardly curved ends  50  associated with upper structurally connecting sections  24  includes attachable end caps  51  and is likewise engaged between end flange locations  52  and  54  associated with a second upper end located bracket  56  with associated fasteners  57  and which is in turn mounted to an underside level surface  58  associated with the main bowl shaped body. In this fashion, the structurally supporting stem establishes two pivot locations at the brackets  32  and  56 , and so that the upper rim  18  of the bowl  14  maintains a continuous horizontal position between elevated and forwardly pivoted positions. 
         [0035]    Although not shown, it is also understood that the structurally supporting stem can optionally be spring loaded, such as in a minor degree sufficient to assist in an upright retraction of the upright and horizontally maintained bowl  14  when not in use and without interfering with the floor supported use position depicted in  FIGS. 6-8 . It is also envisioned that a mechanical latch or trigger mechanism can be employed for maintaining the urinal body in the position references in  FIGS. 1-4 , and such as which can include a first latching portion extending from a wall surface location (not shown) which releasably engages a second portion secured to a rear opposing surface of the bowl  14 . 
         [0036]    A water supply line is shown at  60  and can tap into the conventional inlet line associated with the toilet  12  (see as best shown in  FIG. 7 ), such as through the use of a conventional coupling or splitter. The inlet line  60  connects, at upper end  61 , to a sensor assembly  62  supported atop a rear location  64  (again  FIG. 5 ) of the inner rim  18  and also includes a bracket  63  for securing at an intermediate location of the bowl  14 . The sensor  62 , in combination with an associated bigger mechanism, can include a spring valve construction which is powered or otherwise activated and is operable either by being manually triggered (or auto triggered upon the user standing over or sitting upon the rim  18 ) in order to activate the sensor  62  to expel a volume of fluid maintained in some degree of pressurization within the line  60  and to issue a predetermined spray misting or spritz of a small volume of water, such as along the inner surfaces of the bowl and which is typically far less than is typically associated with a fluid holding tank of the conventional toilet and required only to effectively clear and evacuate fluid waste associated with urine. 
         [0037]    As shown in  FIG. 9 , an outlet portion of the fluid line extends downwardly from the sensor  62  and terminates in a dispensing assembly  66  positioned in an inner rear location of the bowl  16  (see also top view of  FIG. 2 ). The dispensing assembly  66  typically includes one or more nozzles for administering the desired volume of spray (or spritz) within the bowl and in order to properly clean its surfaces. Although not shown, it is understood and envisioned that alternately configured spray distributing assemblies can also include a ring-shaped nozzle array arranged around an inner rim of the bowl and amongst any other desired arrangement for administering a fluid spray to the bowl interior. 
         [0038]    A waste drainage line  68  includes an upper end  70  secured to a lower most drain location  72  associated with the bowl  14  (see again  FIG. 5 ). As with the inlet line  60 , the outlet line  68  can be provided as a smaller diameter flexible line (such as ¼ plastic). The drainage line  68  can be tapped, such as at  74  as shown in  FIG. 10 , and in order to connected to a conventional toilet drain location in a sufficiently gravity enabling discharge fashion, such as which is accomplished with the use of a diamond tipped drill bit or the like for effectively drilling through a surface location of the bowl pedestal, and in order to access the inner drain component. 
         [0039]    Although not shown, additional components such as plumbers putty, sealants and fluid couplings can also be provided in order to effectively communicate the waste line  68  with the waste effluent associated with the toilet  12 . Although not shown, it is also envisioned that the drain line can be reconfigured for hooking directly into a waste pipe extending under the flooring, this further supporting the alternate application apart from the conventional toilet. 
         [0040]    Also not shown but understood to be included are one or more flapper valves built into the waste drainage line  68 , such as at a location corresponding to drainage location  72  associated with the bowl  14  interior, this preventing the emanation of odors from the drain discharge line  68 . Although not shown, it is also understood that a similar flapper valve or like component can also be incorporated into a drain tap location (not shown) associated the toilet  12 , this operating in much the same fashion as well as to prevent the instance of solid waste backing into the drain line  68 . 
         [0041]    Additional features can include the provision of an upper mechanical or magnetic latch for securing the bowl  14  in an upright and substantially stored/flush position against an elevated wall location. Upon being released from the latch, the bowl  14  is permitted to rotate downwardly in the manner illustrated and in order to be supported in the use position shown in  FIG. 1  and in which the bowl  14  is secured upon a downwardly extending support  74  which further includes a screw attached upper end for mounting the support  74  to an underside location  76  of the bowl  14  and in order to space the urinal bowl  14  a distance above a floor location (against which the bottom end of the support  74  contacts as best shown in  FIG. 12 ) which is generally commensurate with the height of the conventional toilet seat. In this fashion, the urinal can also be effectively used by females in a sitting position. The bowl  14  also provides the ability to be repositioned in height relative to the floor, while retaining its horizontal orientation. 
         [0042]    Other features best shown in the exploded view of  FIG. 5  include additional vertical structural supporting member  76  incorporated into the stem. An additional reinforcing bracket  78  is pivotally secured at a lower end by a first attachable component  80 , as well as at an elevated bowl underside location by a second component  82 . 
         [0043]    Having described my invention, other and additional preferred embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains and without deviating from the scope of the appended claims. Such include the reconfiguration of the pivot support bracket  32  to secure to a supported and elevated location of the wall. Concurrently, the urinal can be reconfigured to pivot downwardly in front of the conventional toilet  12 , and as opposed to being mounted for side displaced use as shown in the drawings.