SANITARY TOILET

Abstract: The invention relates to a sanitary toilet, wherein a flexible collection hose (5) is advanced downwards by means of a downfeeding and closure mechanism formed with downfeed rollers arranged to be pressed against one another in pairs, and wherein closure/sealing is effected by means of a slide. The device comprises a synchronous drive connection arranged between the downfeed rollers and the clamping means for synchronous operation thereof, operating control means, a single-acting mechanical drive transmission intermediate the operating control means and the downfeed rollers, and a releasable blocking device co-operating with said downfeed rollers and arranged to prevent movement of the parts that are moveable together with the downfeed rollers and thus with the clamping means past its closing position, while the downfeed movement of said operating control means is in progress.

Description: SANITARY TOILET The present invention relates to a sanitary toilet, wherein a flexible collection hose for reception therein of faeces from a hose storage surrounding a seat opening is advanced downwards via a downfeed and closure mecha- nism into a collection storage located underneath, the downfeed part of said mechanism comprising downfeed rollers which are arranged to be pressed against one another in pairs and between which rollers said collection hose passes during the downfeed operation, and wherein the closure part of said mechanism is formed with a clamping means extending across the entire width of the collection hose and arranged to move between a closing position and an opening position, said clamping means arranged to compress the collection hose in the trans- verse direction thereof in a closing position, thus sealing said hose following advancement downwards of a faeces-containing part of said hose. Prior-art sanitary toilets of the kind defined above often have a very complicated structure, tending to generate operational disturbances while at the same time making the construction expensive. The object of the present invention is to provide a sanitary toilet of the kind defined above, which has a simple structure and which may be operated manually in a simple manner with minimum risks that the collection hose is left in an incompletely sealed state in between uses of the toilet, which would give rise to unpleasant smells . This object is achieved in a sanitary toilet con- structed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, which is characterised essentially in that it comprises a synchronous drive connection arranged between the downfeed rollers and the clamping means for synchronous operation thereof, operating control means, a single-acting mechanical drive transmission intermediate the operating control means and the downfeed rollers, and a releasable blocking device co-operating' with said downfeed rollers and arranged to prevent movement of parts that are moveable together with the downfeed rollers and thus with the clamping means past its closing position while the downfeed movement of said operating control means is in progress. Further characteristic features and advantages of the invention appear from the appended claims. One embodiment of the inventive object will be described in the following with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig 1 is a perspective view as seen obliquely from above of a sanitary toilet in accordance with the invention in a schematic X-ray view and with the upper part raised for the sake of clarity, Fig 2 is a lateral vies of a downfeeding mechanism located in the toilet interior, Fig 3 is a view from above of the downfeeding mechanism of Fig 2, Fig 4 is a sectional view with the section taken on line (V-IV of Fig 3 and with the mechanism illustrated in the downfeeding position, Fig 5 is a sectional view corresponding to Fig 4 through the downfeeding mechanism, the latter being shown in the closed position it assumes in between toilet uses, Fig 6 shows a component forming part of the mechanism, Fig 7 illustrates in a sectional view another component forming part of the mechanism, the section being taken on line VII-VII in Fig 8, and Fig 8 is a sectional view of the same component, the section being taken on line VIII-VIII in Fig 7. The sanitary toilet illustrated in Fig 1 comprises a receptacle 1, a lid-shaped seat 2 covering the receptacle 1, a downfeeding mechanism 3, and a storage device 4 in which is arranged a collection hose 5 for feeding material in the downwards direction by means of the downfeeding mechanism. In the seat 2 is located a seat lid 6, which is arranged to be pivoted upwards and which in its downwards folded position covers a seat ring delimiting a seat opening 7. Numeral reference 8 designates an annular horizontal suspension frame, which in turn is supported from the upper rim of the receptacle 1 by means of brackets 9. The brackets 9 extend in a U- shape somewhat downwardly into the receptacle 1, i.e. one of the legs of each U-bracket extends along the inner wall of the receptacle whereas the opposite leg extends downwardly from the suspension frame. The two bracket legs are interconnected by means of a uniting web located at a lower level. A pleated part 5a of the collection hose 5 is stored peripherally around the suspension frame to be successively fed into the receptacle, said part referred to in the following as the "hose supply". Numeral reference 10 designates a clamping means, the function of which will be described in closer detail in the following, which clamping means forms part of the downwards feeding mechanism 3, which latter mechanism also serves as a closing/sealing mechanism. The mechanism 3 also comprises downfeed rollers 11 disposed in abutment against the collection hose 5 in order to advance, after use of the toilet, the part of the collection hose that contains faeces, together with the faeces container therein, to a collection storage positioned underneath the receptacle 1, not shown in the drawings. This storage could for instance be a container, which may be hauled away from the toilet area to be emptied. Numeral reference 12 designates an arm, arranged for vertical pivotal movement and protruding through a slit formed in the wall of the receptacle 1 and supporting a pedal 13 on the one of its ends that is located externally of the receptacle. The arm 12 is formed with a pivot joint 14. Via a system of pulleys 15 a flexible pulling means extends from the arm 12 up to a drive transmission, of which only an enclosing cover 17 is shown in Fig 1. This drive transmission will be described in closer detail with reference to Fig 2. The mechanism 3 is disposed in a frame, which in accordance with the shown embodiment consists of two spaced-apart vertical lateral plates 18. The clamping means 10 is mounted in said frame for displacement therein and consists of a plate-like sliding member, which is mounted for displacement at the lateral edges thereof and which is movable in a reciprocating motion in the direction indicated by arrow A towards and away from a stationary abutment means 19. A drive connection to be described in more detail below causes the slide 10 to move in the direction indicated by B in response to depression of the pedal 13. The drive transmission housed inside the cover 17 consists of a rotary unit 20 around which is wound a part of the pulling means 16 in such a manner that upon pulling outwards of said means in the direction indicated by C, the rotary unit is caused to rotate in the direction indicated by arrow D, i.e. in the clockwise direction as seen in Fig. 6. In the centre of the drive transmission is mounted a toothed wheel 21, which preferably has a saw-toothed configuration as shown in Fig. 6. Numeral reference 22 designates catches, which are spring-biased in the direction of engagement shown in Fig. 6. In addition, the rotary unit is spring-biased in the rotational direction designated by letter E, i.e. in the opposite direction from that obtained with the aid of the pulling means 16. This means that via the catches 22 the toothed wheel 21 is driven in the rotational direction D in response to a pulling action effected on pulling means 16, whereas the catches, in opposition to the spring biasing force thereon, ride across the tooth apices on the toothed wheel 21, when the rotary unit 20 is caused by spring action to counter-rotate in direction E. The toothed wheel 21 is non-rotationally connected to a shaft 23 extending through both side plates 18 and non- rotationally supporting a gear 24 on the opposite side from the rotary unit. Obviously, the drive could be eobtained by a one-way coupling device of free-wheel type having rollers instead of catches. The gear 24 engages a first gear wheel 25 which in turn meshes with a second gear wheel 26, said wheels being non-rotationally connected with shafts 27 and 28, respectively, which are supported in the lateral plates 18. Intermediate the lateral plates 18 the two shafts non-rotationally support their respective downfeed rollers 11. As clearly appears from Fig 3, the two downfeed rollers are pressed against one another by means of a soft peripheral portion 11a, which, when compressed, bulges outwards in an axial direction. Numeral reference 30 indicates a crank pin located on the gear wheel 25, and numeral reference 31 indicates a further shaft passing through the side plates. The end portion of the shaft 31 non-rotationally supports a pivotal arm 32. Intermediate a pivot point at the free of the pivotal arm 33 and the crank pin extends a connecting link 34. The pivotal arm 32, the crank pin 30 and the connecting link 34 together form a toggle-link system imparting to the shaft 31 a reciprocating motion upon rotation of the gear wheel 27. Under normal operation conditions, the gear wheels 27, 28, and consequently the downfeed rollers 11, rotate in the direction indicated in Fig 2 by arrows F. Numeral reference 35 indicate a toothed segment which is non-rotationally mounted on shaft 32 and which meshes with a rack 36 provided on the lower face of the slide 10. Pivotal movement of the shaft 31 and consequently of the toothed segment 35 between the positions illustrated in Figs 4 and 5, respectively, imparts to the slide 10 a corresponding movement. In Fig 4, the front edge of the slide 10 is positioned spaced from the edge portion 19a of the abutment means 19. In accordance with the shown embodiment, the abutment edge 19a is configured as a groove-like depression, into which the edge portion 10a of the slide may be received as shown in Fig 5, with the collection hose 5 clampingly interposed therebetween. A locking means is positioned on the inner face of one of the side plates 18 at the point indicated by numeral 37. The pivotal arm 12 is non-rotationally connected with a shaft 38 extending through the side plates 18, as also appears from Figs 7 and 8. Numeral reference 40 indicates a recess formed on the inner face of the gear wheel 26, and numeral reference 41 indicates a blocking pin which passes through not only the side plate 18 but also through a mounting bracket 39 in the mechanism frame. A compression spring 43 is held between an abutment means 42 formed on the blocking pin 30 and the mounting bracket 39. This spring tends to move the blocking pin 41 into the recess 40 in the gear wheel 26. Numeral reference 44 indicates an angle arm, which is pivotally mounted on a pivot pin 45, one leg of said angle arm being indicated by 44a and the other one by 44b. Numeral reference 46 indicates a hook-shaped operating lug, which is non- rotationally connected to shaft 38. In the position of Fig 7, which corresponds to the position, wherein the pedal 13 assumes its uppermost position, the operating lug 46 abuts against the angle arm part 44b, urging the latter to the position shown in Fig 7. In this position angle arm part 44a abuts against a second abutment means 47 on the blocking pin 41, holding the latter retracted from the gear wheel 26 against the action of compression spring 43. The function of the device will be described in closer detail in the following. Upon depression of the pedal 13, indicated in Fig 4 by arrow G, a pulling force is exerted on pulling means 16. As a result, the rotary unit 20 is rotated in direction D as seen in Fig 6 and the catches 22 drive the toothed wheel 21, and thus shaft 23, in the direction of rotation indicated in Fig 2 by arrow H. The associated gear 24 thus causes the two gear wheels 27 and 28 to rotate in the direction of arrows 25, thus rotating the respective shafts 27 and 28 as well as the downfeed rollers 11. As a result, the downfeed rollers feed downwards the portion of the collection hose 5 that is positioned above them while at the same time faeces contained therein are forced laterally outwards, as most clearly apparent from Fig 3. The faeces thus are well distributed and fill the downfed part of the hose well. Upon this rotational movement, the toggle-link mechanism 32-34 acts to pivot the toothed segment 35 from the position shown in Fig 5 to the position shown in Fig 4, and consequently the slide 10 will open the downfeed opening, through which the collection hose is advanced, in synchrony with its downfeed movement. During the latter half of the downfeed movement, the slide 10 returns to the position shown in Fig 5, wherein the hose is kept clamped between the slide 10 and the abutment means 19 and consequently the hose is well sealed in the upwards direction. In the initial stage of the downwards movement of the pedal 1, the pressure that the operating lug 16 exerts on the angle arm part 44b ceases and consequently operating arm part 44a releases the blocking pin 41. During this initial movement the gear wheel 26 has, however, had time to move somewhat, whereby the blocking pin will continue to be pressed into abutment against the inner face of the gear wheel 26. Because the blocking pin no longer is in alignment with the recess 40, it cannot drop into that recess. Upon completion of one full downfeed cycle, the gear 26 will have rotated through one complete revolution, and the blocking pin will drop into the recess 40, thus preventing further movement. Preferably, the gear ratio achieved by the system of pulleys 15 and the choice of diameter size of the rotary unit 20 are adjusted to ensure that full depression of the pedal 13 results in one complete operating cycle, i.e. rotation of gear wheels 25 and 26 through one revolution. Should nonetheless the user fail to depress the pedal completely but first allow it to move upwards and then again depress it, it will be impossible to depress the pedal again beyond a position that corresponds to the execution of the complete movement of the mechanism, because in this position, the blocking pin falls into the recess 40, preventing continued movement past this position and consequently also preventing the slide from starting a new opening movement. Such an opening movement may start only after the pedal has again been allowed to move upwards, to its initial position. Consequently, the downfeed movement may continue without problem by means of repeated small pumping movements of the pedal, which movements may continue for as long as complete operation has not been achieved, but no longer. The user thus is given a clear indication of whether or not the downfeed operation is completed. The invention is not limited to the embodiment described above and illustrated in the drawings merely by way of example, but may be varied as to its details without departure from the inventive idea. The single- acting mechanical drive transmission could be of any suitable kind. Preferably, the single-acting mechanical drive transmission consists of the starter of a power saw. A device of this kind has been chosen for the shown embodiment, as most clearly indicated by the shape of the protective cover appearing from Figs 1 and 3. The pulling means 16 corresponds to the starting strap of the power saw. Instead of the pedal 13 a manual control may be used to effect the downfeed operation by means of which control that operation is effected by means of a pulling movement rather than by depression of a pedal.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A sanitary toilet, wherein a flexible collection hose (5) for reception therein of faeces from a hose storage (5a) surrounding a seat opening (7) is advanced downwards via a downfeeding and closure mechanism into a collection storage located underneath, the downfeed part of said mechanism comprising downfeed rollers (11) , which are arranged to be pressed against one another in pairs and between which rollers said collection hose passes during the downfeed operation, and wherein the closure part of said mechanism is formed with a clamping means (10) extending across the entire width of the collection hose and arranged to move between a closing position and an opening position, said clamping means arranged to compress the collection hose in the transverse direction thereof in a closing position, thus closing said hose following advancement downwards of a faeces-containing part of said hose, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that it comprises: a synchronous drive connection arranged between the downfeed rollers (11) and the clamping means (10) for synchronous operation thereof, operating control means (12-15) a single-acting mechanical drive transmission (20-22) intermediate the operating control means and the downfeed rollers, and a releasable blocking device (40-47) cooperating with said downfeed rollers and arranged to prevent movement of parts that are moveable together with the downfeed rollers (11) and thus with the clamping means (10) past the closing position of the latter while the downfeed movement of said operating control means (12-15) is in progress. 2. A sanitary toilet as claimed in claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that the operating control means consist of activating means (13) that may be actuated by the user of the toilet, a rotationally mounted rotary unit (20) , and a pulling means (16) extending between the activating means (13) and the rotary unit, said rotary unit being spring biased in the direction of rotation E and arranged to receive a part of said pulling means (16) wound onto said unit, said pulling means arranged, when a pulling action is exerted thereon, to act on the rotary unit against the spring action, said rotary unit being drivingly connected to the downfeed rollers (11) via a one-way coupling, i.e. causing the downfeed rollers to co-rotate only upon rotation of the rotary unit against the spring bias on the latter, in addition to which said rotary unit is arranged to rotate freely in the opposite direction under the action of said spring action for the purpose of returning the operating means (13) to its original position via said pulling means (16) . 3. A sanitary toilet as claimed in claim 2, c a ra c t e r i s e d in that the rotary unit (20) and its one-way coupling consist of a starter apparatus of a power saw, and in that the pulling means is formed by its starting strap (16) . 4. A sanitary toilet as claimed in claim 2 or 3, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that the activating means (13) is a pedal, the pulling means (16) extending from said pedal to the rotary unit (20) via deflector means (15) . 5. A sanitary toilet as claimed in claim 4, c h a ra c t e r i s e d in that the pedal (13) is attached to a vertically pivotal operating arm (12) . 6. A sanitary toilet as claimed in claims 2 - 4, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that the operating arm (12) is interconnected with said blocking device (40-47), the latter being formed with a blocking means (41) , which is movable by spring action and which is adapted, owing to said spring action, to assume its blocking position upon the downfeed rollers (11) assuming the rotational position that corresponds to the clamping position of said clamping means (10), parts associated with said operating arm (12) being arranged, upon return of the latter, to cancel said blocking position of said blocking means by means of its co-operating abutment therewith against said spring action, when said operating arm comes close to its initial position in readiness for a new downfeed operation. 7. A sanitary toilet as claimed in claim 6, c h a ra c t e r i s e d in that the blocking means is a blocking pin (41) , which is movable by spring action in the path of movement of parts (26) arranged to move together with the downfeed rollers. 8. A sanitary toilet as claimed in claim 7, c h a ra c t e r i s e d in that the blocking pin (41) is formed with an axial abutment means (47) and with a lug (46) provided on a shaft (38) rotated by said operating arm (12), said lug adapted to lift said blocking pin out its position of engagement during the latter part of the return movement of said operating arm as a result of co- operating abutment against said spring action. 9. A sanitary toilet as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that the motion-synchronised drive connection between the downfeed rollers (11) and the clamping means (10) is formed by a crank (30) which may be rotated by the downfeed rollers and which in the manner of a toggle-link mechanism cooperates with a connecting link (34), which in turn is in drive-connection with the clamping means (10). 10. A sanitary toilet as claimed in claim 9, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that the clamping means (10) is a slide (10) which is movable transversely relative to the collection hose (5) into abutment against an abutment means (19), said connecting link (34) imparting a reciprocating movement to said slide (10) . 11. A sanitary toilet as claimed in claim 10, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that the slide (10) is formed with an elongate rack (36) meshing with a toothed segment (35), said segment being connected with said connecting link (34) in the manner of a pivotal arm, whereby the slide (10) is imparted a reciprocating movement in response to a reciprocating pivotal movement of said toothed segment. 12. A sanitary toilet as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that the downfeed rollers (11) are centrally located relative to the collection hose (5) and support a soft peripheral track, said track arranged, as a result of the radially directed pressure in the nip between said rollers to bulge axially outwards for the purpose of forcing laterally outwards the faeces contained inside said hose,

Inventors: BERGLIND LENA, BJOERKLUND ANDERS, LANDEN UNO, PEKKALA LARS, BERGLIND, LENA, BJOERKLUND, ANDERS, LANDEN, UNO, PEKKALA, LARS
Applicants: BERGLIND LENA, BJOERKLUND ANDERS, ENDSTATION AB, LANDEN UNO, PEKKALA LARS, BERGLIND, LENA, BJOERKLUND, ANDERS, LANDEN, UNO, PEKKALA, LARS
Application year: 1998
Main classification: A47K11
IPC codes: A47K11