Patent Publication Number: US-2010125940-A1

Title: Toilet for use in recreational vehicle and boats

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not applicable. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to toilets, and more particularly, to toilets for use in recreational vehicles and boats. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Water saving toilets are generally known for use in recreational vehicles (RV&#39;s) and boats, or other movable vehicles. Indeed, a trend in toilet bowl design is one that achieves adequate flushing while minimizing the use of water. These toilets generally include a bowl, and a vapor seal disposed between the bowl and a waste holding tank. Moreover, these toilets are often mounted upon a floor of the vehicle, and as a result, the bowl and any contents therein are movable along with movement of the vehicle. It is known to utilize a movable, mechanical vapor seal to maintain the vapor seal despite movement of the vehicle. However, such movable mechanical seals are complex, costly, and/or prone to failure. Thus, there is a continuing need for an improved vapor seal in toilets for use in recreational vehicles (RV&#39;s) and boats. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The following presents a simplified summary of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of some example aspects of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. Moreover, this summary is not intended to identify critical elements of the invention nor delineate the scope of the invention. The sole purpose of the summary is to present some concepts of the invention in simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. 
     In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, toilet is adapted to be placed in fluid communication with a pressurized fluid source providing a flush volume of less than 1 gallon. The toilet includes a toilet body including a bowl, a rim, a rim wash disposed about the rim and in fluid communication with the pressurized fluid source, and a waste outlet. The toilet further includes a removable discharge passageway sealingly coupled at a first end to the waste outlet of the toilet bowl and at a second end to a floor flange. The discharge passageway defines a trapway for providing a water seal between the bowl and the floor flange. The discharge passageway includes an upleg portion and a downleg portion separated by a weir. The toilet further includes a water jet nozzle in fluid communication with the pressurized fluid source and including a discharge end in fluid communication with the waste outlet. The water jet nozzle is adapted to expel said pressurized fluid into said discharge passageway. The water seal includes a water column, and the discharge passageway is configured to maintain at least about 80% of the water column therein when the toilet is pivoted about 10 degrees from a normal position. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a toilet is adapted to be placed in fluid communication with a pressurized fluid source providing a flush volume of less than 1 gallon. The toilet includes a toilet body including a bowl, a rim, a rim wash disposed about the rim and in fluid communication with the pressurized fluid source via a first dedicated line, and a waste outlet. The toilet further includes a removable discharge passageway sealingly coupled at a first end to the waste outlet of the toilet bowl and at a second end to a floor flange. The discharge passageway defines a trapway for providing a water seal between the bowl and the floor flange. The discharge passageway includes an upleg portion and a downleg portion separated by a weir. The toilet further includes a water jet nozzle in fluid communication with the pressurized fluid source via a second dedicated line. The water jet nozzle includes a discharge end in fluid communication with the waste outlet and oriented upwards at an angle equal to or greater than about 10 degrees. The water jet nozzle is adapted to expel said pressurized fluid into said discharge passageway. The upleg extends vertically upward from the outlet of the toilet bowl to the weir a distance sufficient to maintain a minimum water column within the upleg necessary to form the water seal between the bowl and the floor flange when the toilet is pivoted about 10 degrees from a normal position. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, toilet is adapted to be placed in fluid communication with a pressurized fluid source providing a flush volume of less than 1 gallon. The toilet includes a toilet body including a bowl, a rim, a rim wash disposed about the rim and in fluid communication with the pressurized fluid source via a first dedicated line, and a waste outlet. The toilet further includes a flexible, removable discharge passageway sealingly coupled at a first end to the waste outlet of the toilet bowl and at a second end to a floor flange. The discharge passageway defines a trapway for providing a water seal between the bowl and the floor flange. The discharge passageway includes an upleg portion and a downleg portion separated by a weir. A portion of the upleg of the discharge passageway extends upward at an angle equal to or greater than about 45 degrees. The toilet further includes a water jet nozzle in fluid communication with the pressurized fluid source via a second dedicated line and including a discharge end in fluid communication with the waste outlet. The water jet nozzle is adapted to expel said pressurized fluid into said discharge passageway. The toilet further includes a support bracket coupled to the first end of the discharge passageway and operatively coupled to the second end of the discharge passageway. The support bracket maintains the second end of the discharge passageway generally fixed relative to the first end of the discharge passageway. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present invention relates upon reading the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1A  is a rear view of an example toilet; 
         FIG. 1B  is a sectional view taken along line  1 B- 1 B of  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded, partial sectional view of an example discharge passageway and corresponding mounting structure; 
         FIG. 3A  is a side view of an example toilet; 
         FIG. 3B  is a sectional view taken along line  3 B- 3 B of  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an example mounting bracket; and 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective, partial sectional view of the example toilet of  FIG. 1A . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS 
     Example embodiments that incorporate one or more aspects of the present invention are described and illustrated in the drawings. These illustrated examples are not intended to be a limitation on the present invention. For example, one or more aspects of the present invention can be utilized in other embodiments and even other types of devices. Moreover, certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the present invention. Still further, in the drawings, the same reference numerals are employed for designating the same elements. 
     Turning to the shown example of  FIGS. 1A-1B , a toilet  10  is illustrated for use with a recreational vehicle (RV), boat, or other movable vehicle. The toilet  10  can have a household appearance and function, while still being installed in a movable vehicle providing low water usage and the ability to maintain a trap seal. 
     The toilet  10  can include a pedestal-shaped base  12  for supporting a toilet bowl body  14  upon a supporting surface  16 , such as a floor. The toilet  10  can be primarily formed of a generally rigid material, such as vitreous china, though various other materials can also be used, such as various plastics, metals, etc. Indeed, the pedestal-shaped base  12  and toilet bowl body  14  can be formed as a monolithic unit, or may be separate elements joined together. As shown, the toilet  10  can generally resemble a conventional toilet in both size and material found in homes, businesses, or the like, though it is to be understood that the toilet  10  can have various size and/or material differences for use with a particular environment, such as a RV, boat, or other movable vehicle. Though not illustrated, it is to be understood that the toilet  10  can generally include a toilet seat and/or cover generally disposed over the opening in the bowl body  14 . 
     The toilet  10  described herein is a pressure-assisted, gravity flush toilet. That is, the toilet  10  generally operates as a gravity flush toilet under the known principles of siphonic flush action, though is assisted by a pressure flush system that utilizes a pressurized fluid source, such as pressurized water or the like. In one example, the pressure flush system can be a Flushmate system obtained by the Sloan Valve Company, though other pressure flush systems can also be utilized. The pressure flush system can be adapted to provide a flush volume of less than about 1 gallon, such as about ½ gallon (i.e., about 2 liters), though other flush volumes are also contemplated. As shown, the flush tank  18  is disposed upon a top portion of the toilet  10  and contains a pressurized water tank  20 , though the flush tank  18  or other pressurized water supply can be provided remotely and even external of the vehicle. The pressurized water tank  20  can receive an amount of pressurized water via an inlet port  22 , and can in turn provide the pressurized fluid for use in the toilet  10  at a flow pressure of about 20-35 psi, and a static pressure of about 30-50 psi, though it is to be understood that various other flow and static water pressures can be utilized. The pressurized flush tank  20  can be operated via a flush button  24  or the like for flushing the toilet  10 . 
     The pressurized water tank  20  can be in fluid communication with one or more portions of the toilet  10 . As shown, the toilet body  14  can generally include a bowl  26 , a rim  28 , and a rim wash  30  disposed generally about the rim  28  and in fluid communication with the pressurized water tank  20 . In one example, the rim wash  30  can include a hollow cavity extending partially or completely around the rim  28 , and can include a plurality of spouts  31  (only one shown) for discharging water into the bowl  26  for cleaning the bowl  26 , for facilitating the siphonic flush action, and/or for refilling the bowl  26  and the trap. The various spouts  31  can have various sizes, geometries, orientations, etc. In one example, about 26 separate spouts  31  can be oriented at an angle of about 40-degrees relative to the rim  28 , though various other numbers of spouts and/or angles can be used. The rim wash  30  can be in fluid communication with the pressurized water tank  20  via a dedicated hose  32  or the like, such as a ⅝-inch diameter hose, though various other size hoses can also be utilized. In another example, not shown, the rim wash  30  can be provided as a separate assembly that is coupled to the toilet  10 . 
     A waste outlet  34  can be provided generally towards a bottom portion of the bowl  26 , and may be coupled to or formed with a portion of the bowl  26 . Generally, during a flush operation, the water, excrement, and the like can be discharged from the bowl  26  via the waste outlet  34  into a discharge passageway  35 , which will be discussed more fully herein. The discharge passageway can be sealingly coupled to a discharge opening  37  of the waste outlet  34 . A water jet nozzle  36  can be provided with a discharge end  38  in fluid communication with the waste outlet  34 . The water jet nozzle  36  can in fluid communication with the pressurized water tank  20  via another dedicated hose  40  or the like, such as a ¾-inch diameter hose, though various other size hoses can also be utilized. Thus, the water jet nozzle  36  can be adapted to expel said pressurized fluid (i.e., water), water contained in the bowl  26 , and/or excrement into the discharge passageway  35  during the flush operation to facilitate with the siphonic flush action. As shown, the water jet nozzle  36  can be a separate element that is sealingly engaged with a portion of the waste outlet  34 , though can also be formed with the waste outlet  34 . 
     In addition or alternatively, as shown, the discharge end  38  of the water jet nozzle  36  can be oriented variously relative to the discharge opening  37  of the waste outlet  34 . In one example, the water jet nozzle  36  can be oriented generally inline with the discharge opening  37 , such as at an angle of about 0-degrees relative to a central axis of the discharge opening  37 . In another example, the water jet nozzle  36  can be oriented generally upwards relative to a central axis of the discharge opening  37 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 1B , the discharge opening  38  can be oriented generally upwards at an angle α of at least about 10-degrees, at least about 20-degrees, or various other angles relative to a central axis of the discharge opening  37 . Because a portion of the discharge passageway  35  extends generally upwards relative to the discharge opening  37 , orienting the angle of the discharge opening  38  generally upwards can facilitate expelling the pressurized water through the discharge passageway  35  during a flush operation. 
     It is to be understood that various ratios of pressurized water can be provided to each of the rim wash  30  and the water jet nozzle  36 . In one example, about 40% of the flush volume (i.e., about 0.8 liters for a 2 liter flush) can be provided to the rim wash  30 , while about 60% (i.e., about 1.2 liters for a 2 liter flush) of the flush volume can be provided to the water jet nozzle  36 , though various other ratios can also be used. The ratio can be adjusted in various manners, such as by fixed or adjustable structure of the pressurized water tank  20 . In addition or alternatively, the cross-sectional areas of the hoses  32 ,  40  supplying the rim wash  30  and the water jet nozzle  36 , respectively, can be different. For example, as noted herein, the hose  32  supplying the rim wash  30  can be a ⅝-inch diameter hose, while the hose  40  supplying the water jet nozzle  36  can be a ¾-inch diameter hose, such that the hose  40  with the larger cross-sectional area can supply a relatively greater flow volume as compared with the hose  32 . Still, various other hose sizes, etc. can be used to supply different flow ratios, etc. In addition or alternatively, structure (not shown) can be provided to adjust the relative flow pressures of the water for either of the rim wash  30  and the water jet nozzle  36 . Moreover, it is to be understood that while hoses  32 ,  40  are described herein, various passageways can be provided (i.e., molded-in, etc.) in portions of the base  12 , toilet bowl body  14 , and/or discharge passageway  35  for supplying the pressurized fluid to either of the rim wash  30  and the water jet nozzle  36 . The total flush time can be about 3-5 seconds, though other times can also be accommodated. 
     Turning back to  FIG. 1B , as noted, the toilet  10  includes a discharge passageway  35  sealingly coupled at a first end  42  to the waste outlet  34  of the toilet bowl  26 . For example, the first end  42  can be sealingly coupled to the discharge opening  37  of the waste outlet  34  via a relatively tight slip-on connection, and can be secured thereby by a clamp or the like, such as an adjustable or non-adjustable hose clamp  44  that can extend partially or completely around the first end  42 . Still, various other attachment methods can be used, including mechanical fasteners, adhesives, welding, etc. Various seals (i.e., o-rings, etc.) can also be provided therebetween. The discharge passageway  35  can also be sealingly coupled at a second end  46  to a floor flange  48  that is in fluid communication with a waste holding tank, such as a black water tank or the like, or various other waste export elements. Thus, water, excrement, and the like expelled out of the toilet bowl  26  via the waste outlet  34  will travel through the discharge passageway  35  to the floor flange  48 , and onto the holding waste tank. 
     The discharge passageway  35  can be formed as a monolithic unit, as shown, or may be formed of a plurality of separate elements that are removably or non-removably coupled together. In addition or alternatively, the discharge passageway  35  can be formed of a generally flexible material, and may even be formed via a molding operation or the like, such as of flexible PVC or the like. Still, it is to be understood that the discharge passageway  35  can also be partially or completely formed of a generally rigid material. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 2 , one example coupling of the discharge passageway  35  between the discharge opening  37  of the waste outlet  34  and the floor flange  48  is illustrated. The discharge passageway  35  can be directly or indirectly coupled to the floor flange  48 . The floor flange  48  will generally be already fixed to the supporting surface  16 , though can be installed in a manner known to one of skill in the art. The floor flange  48  can have a standard opening, such as a 3-inch diameter opening, though various other openings can also be provided. Because the discharge passageway  35  can have a different size (i.e., diameter) than that of the floor flange  48 , as shown, the second end  46  of the discharge passageway  35  can be coupled to the floor flange  48  via a generally rigid adapter  50  (i.e., formed of a generally rigid material, such as plastic or metal) that is sealingly coupled to the second end  46 . As with the first end  42 , the second end  46  can be sealingly coupled to the adapter  50  via a relatively tight slip-on connection, and can be secured thereby by a clamp or other mechanical fastener (not shown), adhesives, welding, etc. In addition or alternatively, a discharge adapter  52  can be disposed between the generally rigid adapter  50  and the floor flange  48 . 
     Thus, during assembly, the discharge adapter  52  can be secured to the floor flange  48 , such as by mechanical fasteners, adhesives, welding, etc. Next, the generally rigid adapter  50  can be sealingly coupled to the second end  46  of the discharge passageway  35 . Various seals (i.e., o-rings, etc.) can also be provided therebetween. Indeed, the adapter  50  may be provided pre-assembled with the discharge passageway  35 . Next, the generally rigid adapter  50  can be sealingly coupled with the discharge adapter  52  via a slip-fit connection. In one example, one or more seals, such as o-rings  54  or the like, can be provided on either or both of the adapters  50 ,  52 . Thus, while the floor flange  48  and/or the discharge adapter  52  can be secured to the supporting surface  16 , the second end  46  of the discharge passageway  35  may be sealingly coupled to the floor flange  48  by a friction fit via the o-ring(s)  54  of the generally rigid adapter  50 . Still, it is to be understood that either or both of the second end  46  and the generally rigid adapter  50  can be secured to the adapter  52  and/or floor flange  48  in various manners, including mechanical fasteners, adhesives, welding, etc. In addition or alternatively, as shown, the second end  46  can have an angled geometry, and/or a relatively increased cross-sectional area (i.e., relative to the first end  42  or even other portions leading to the second end  46 ), for coupling with the floor flange  48 . For example, as shown, the second end  46  can have about a 45-degree angle and a relatively increased cross-sectional area for coupling with the adapter  50 . Still, in other examples (not shown) it is to be understood that the generally rigid adapter  50  can be provided with an angled geometry (i.e., such as a 45-degree elbow bend structure) and/or an increased cross-sectional area for directly or indirectly coupling with the floor flange  48 . 
     The discharge passageway  35  can define a trapway for providing a water seal between the bowl  26  and the floor flange  48 . Thus, a gas-tight vapor seal can be provided between the bowl  26  and the waste system (i.e., black water tank or the like) for inhibiting, such as preventing, waste vapors or the like (i.e., decomposing waste gasses) from entering the vehicle in which the toilet  10  is installed. The discharge passageway  35  can be configured to provide the vapor seal without the use of additional movable, mechanical seals, though such mechanical seals could be employed in conjunction with the passageway  35 . 
     The discharge passageway  35  can include an upleg  60  in fluid communication with a downleg  62 , separated by a weir  64 . As shown, the discharge passageway  35  can be generally continuous between the first end  42  and the second end  46  such that the upleg  60  extends generally upwards from the first end  42  until the weir  64 , at which point the downleg  62  extends generally downwards towards the second end  46 . The upleg  60  and downleg  62  can have various geometries and cross-sectional areas. In one example, the upleg  60  can have a generally cylindrical geometry with an internal diameter of at least about 1.5 inches, or at least about 2 inches, though various other diameters are also contemplated. The downleg  62  can have a similar geometry and/or cross-sectional area, or even different. For example, a portion of the discharge passageway  35  can have a generally consistent cross-sectional area, such as about 2 inches extending generally through both the upleg and downleg  60 ,  62 . Still, as shown, the second end  46  of the discharge passageway  35  can have a relatively larger cross-sectional area than the first end  42 , such as for direct or indirect coupling to the floor flange  48 . Though described herein as generally cylindrical, the discharge passageway  35  can have various other cross-sectional geometries 
     As noted, the discharge passageway  35  can define a trapway for providing a water seal between the bowl  26  and the floor flange  48 . The discharge passageway  35  is configured to maintain the vapor seal in the trapway despite the toilet  10  being installed in a movable vehicle that is subject to various forces and/or orientations, such as acceleration or deceleration, hard braking or turning, traveling along rough roads or rough seas, ascending or descending steep grades, etc. In one example, the water seal can include a water column  66  maintained within the upleg  60  of the discharge passageway  35 . Moreover, the discharge passageway  35  can be configured to maintain at least about 80% of the water column  66  therein when the toilet  10  is pivoted about 10-degrees from a generally normal (i.e., level) position. In another example, the discharge passageway  35  can be configured to maintain at least about 90%, or even more, of the water column  66  therein. In still other examples, the discharge passageway  35  can be configured to maintain at least about 80%, or even at least about 90%, of the water column  66  therein when the toilet  10  is pivoted about 15-degrees, or even more, from a normal (i.e., level) position. 
     Thus, by way of example, if the toilet  10  is pivoted at an angle upwards or downwards of about 10-degrees from a normal position, such as may occur in a moving vehicle, the discharge passageway  35  is configured to maintain at least about 80%, 90%, or even more, of the water column  66  therein to maintain the vapor seal between the bowl  26  and the floor flange  48 . It is to be understood that because of the various situations that the vehicle may be used, the toilet  10  can pivot in various directions (i.e., forward, backward, sideways, or combinations thereof). It is also to be understood that while movement of the vehicle may pivot the toilet  10  upwards or downwards about 10-degrees from a normal position to cause movement of the water maintained within the upleg  60 , sudden acceleration, deceleration, turning, etc. can similarly cause the water maintained within the upleg  60  to move in a similar manner despite the vehicle staying relatively level. Thus, discussion herein regarding pivoting of the toilet  10  from a normal position is intended to also encompass substantially similar forces that may be applied to the water column  66  via other vehicle motion even if the vehicle remains generally level. 
     The discharge passageway  35  can include various structure and/or geometry for maintaining the vapor seal despite varying vehicle conditions. In one example, the upleg  60  can extend generally upwards from the discharge opening  37 . For example, the upleg  60  can extend generally upwards from first end  42  and towards the weir  64  at an angle β equal to or greater than about 45-degrees. In other examples, the upleg  60  can extend generally upwards towards the weir  64  at an angle β equal to or greater than about 60-degrees, equal to or greater than about 75-degrees, or even other angles. The angle can be generally continuous or varying (i.e., increasing or decreasing linearly, exponentially, etc.) along the upleg  60 . The relatively steep upwards angle of the upleg  60  can facilitate maintaining the water seal  66  within the discharge passageway  35  during movement of the vehicle, to thereby maintain the vapor seal therein. The upwards angle β of the upleg  60  can be measured relative to the central axis of the discharge opening  37 . It is to be understood that the first end  42  of the discharge passageway  35  can extend immediately upwards from the discharge opening  37 , or may extend horizontally a distance prior to extending upwards. In addition or alternatively, the downleg  62  can also be angled generally downwardly, such as at an angle of about 25-degrees (or other angle) downwards measured relative to the central axis of the discharge opening  37  to facilitate movement of the water and/or waste towards the floor flange  48 . 
     Thus, the relatively steep upwards angle β can permit the upleg  60  to extend vertically upwards from the outlet (i.e., the discharge opening  37 ) of the toilet  10  a distance sufficient to maintain a minimum water column within the upleg  60  necessary to form the water seal  66  between the bowl  26  and the floor flange  48  when the toilet  10  is pivoted about 10-degrees from a normal position. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the maximum vertical distance D 1  for the water column  66  can be measured between a top of the interior of the discharge opening  37  to the weir  64  (i.e., a bottom interior of the discharge passageway  35  at the weir  64 ). As can be appreciated, while a water level extending over the weir  64  will flow downwards into the downleg  62 , while water level falling below the a top of the interior of the discharge opening  37  will breach the vapor seal thereby allowing waste gasses into the toilet bowl  26  and interior of the vehicle. In one example, the geometry and/or orientation of the upleg  60  can provide a maximum vertical distance D 1  for the water column  66  to be about 3-4 inches, though various other distances can also be provided based upon variations of the geometry and/or orientation of the upleg  60 . 
     In one example, the upleg  60  can extend vertically upwards from the discharge opening  37  a distance sufficient to maintain a minimum water column within the upleg  60  equal to or greater than about 1.5 inches (i.e., vertical distance D 2  of the water column  66 ) measured from a top of the interior of the discharge opening  37  to maintain the vapor seal. In another example, the upleg  60  can extend vertically upwards a distance sufficient to maintain a minimum water column within the upleg  60  equal to or greater than about 2 inches, or even more. Thus, when the water column  66  has a minimum vertical distance D 2  of at least 1.5 inches, pivoting of the toilet by about 10-degrees will still maintain at least about 80% of the water column within the upleg  60  to maintain the vapor seal. Therefore, even if some water overflows the weir  64 , enough water will be maintained within the upleg  60  to maintain the vapor seal. In practice, the water column can extend within the upleg  60  to maintain an average vertical distance D 3  of about 2 inches, though various other average distances can also be provided based upon variations of the geometry and/or orientation of the upleg  60 , positioning of the vehicle, operation of the water tank  20  in re-filling the bowl  26 , etc. During a flushing operation, the rim wash  30  and/or water jet  36  can force the water and/or waste through the discharge passageway  35  and over the weir  64  and towards the floor flange  48 . As can be appreciated, the upwards angle α of the water jet  36  can facilitate expelling the water and/or waste through the steep upwards angle β of the upleg  60 . 
     The discharge passageway  35  can be formed of a flexible material, which can facilitate installation within the base  12  of the toilet and/or coupling to the discharge opening  37  and the adapter  50 . Indeed, the discharge passageway  35  can be maintained generally within the envelope of the toilet  10  so as to provide for a compact installation of the toilet  10  within the vehicle. That is, the discharge passageway  35  can remain substantially within the interior of the toilet  10  bounded by the base  12 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 3A , a portion of the discharge passageway  35  can extend partially beyond the base  12 , such as via an opening  68  (see  FIG. 1B ) disposed generally towards the rear of the base  12 . The opening  68  can be formed into the base  12  so as to facilitate manufacture of the base  12 , such as during a molding operation, and/or to provide maintenance access to the interior of the toilet  10 . Still, though a portion of the discharge passageway  35  can extend beyond the base  12 , the discharge passageway  35  may not extend beyond a rear-most extent of the toilet  10 . Thus, the toilet  10  can be installed in a relatively compact space within a vehicle. The flexibility of the discharge passageway  35  can also permit various installation geometries of within the toilet base  12 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 3A , the discharge passageway  35  can remain relatively vertically straight between the first and second ends  42 ,  46 . In other examples, not shown, the discharge passageway  35  can be curved or twisted along a vertical extent between the first and second ends  42 ,  46 , such as to accommodate a relatively larger (i.e., having a longer length, increased diameter, etc.) discharge passageway  35  within the interior of the toilet base  12 . 
     However, because the discharge passageway  35  can be formed of a generally flexible material, it can be difficult to maintain the position of the second end  46  relative to the first end  42 . The location of the first end  42  can remain generally fixed via the coupling to the discharge opening  37 . However, the second end  46 , such as during installation, can be generally free to move within the interior of the toilet base  12 . Such free movement of the second end  46  can inhibit installation, such as by inhibiting insertion of the generally rigid adapter  50  into the discharge adapter  52  and/or floor flange  48 . 
     Thus, as shown in  FIGS. 3B-5 , the toilet  10  can further include a support bracket  70  coupled generally about the first end  42  of the discharge passageway  35  and operatively coupled about the second end  46  of the discharge passageway  35  for maintaining the second end  46  generally fixed relative to the first end  42 . In one example, the support bracket  70  can be coupled to the waste outlet  37  and to the generally rigid adapter  50 . In another example, as shown, the support bracket  70  can be directly coupled to the first end  42  of the discharge passageway  35  and, indirectly coupled to the second end  46  of the discharge passageway  45  via the generally rigid adapter  50 . 
     For example, the support bracket  70  can include a pair of legs  72 ,  74  each including a foot  73 ,  75 , respectively. Each of the feet  73 ,  75  can be removably or non-removably coupled to the generally rigid adapter  50 , such as by mechanical fasteners, adhesives, welding, etc. In one example, screws or bolts can couple the feet  73 ,  75  to the adapter  50  via corresponding apertures. In another example, the feet  73 ,  75  can be formed with the either of the discharge passageway  35  or the adapter  50 . Indeed, some or all of the support bracket  70  can be formed with any of the discharge passageway  35 , portions of the toilet bowl  26 , discharge opening  37 , the adapters  50 ,  52  and/or other portions of the toilet  10 . 
     A tube support  76  can be carried between the legs  72 ,  74 . As shown, the tube support  76  can have a generally curved geometry for supporting a portion of the first end  42  of the discharge passageway  35 , though it is to be understood that the tube support  76  can have various geometries to complement the first end  42  or even the waste outlet  37 . The support bracket  70  can be coupled to the first end  42  (or even the waste outlet  37  or other portion of the toilet  10 ) in various manners. In one example, one or more apertures  78  can extend through portions of the support bracket  70  generally about the tube support  76 . For example, one aperture  78  can be provided next to each end of the tube support  76 . The apertures  78  can be configured to permit a portion of the clamp  44  (i.e., a tube clamp) to extend therethrough. Thus, as shown in  FIGS. 3B and 5 , first end  42  can rest upon the tube support, while the tube clamp  44  can extend through the apertures  78  and around the first end  42  of the discharge passageway  35  for sealingly coupling the first end  42  to the waste outlet  37 . Thus, the tube clamp  44  can simultaneously couple the first end  42  to the waste outlet  37  and the first end  42  to the support bracket  70 . 
     The support bracket  70  can include various generally rigid materials, such as metal, plastic, etc. Thus, when the first end  42  is coupled to the tube support  76 , and the feet  73 ,  75  are coupled to second end  46  via the adapter  50 , the support bracket  70  can maintain the position of the second end  46  relative to the first end  42 . In one example, as shown in  FIGS. 1B and 3B , the second end  46  can be maintained generally vertically aligned with the first end  42 , though some offset can still be permitted. In other examples, not shown, the second end  46  can be maintained with a predetermined vertical or horizontal offset relative to the first end  42  so as to accommodate various installation situations in various vehicles. 
     As a result, movement of the second end  46  relative to the first end  42  can be limited so as to facilitate installation, such as by facilitating insertion of the generally rigid adapter  50  into the discharge adapter  52  and/or floor flange  48 . Indeed, the support bracket  70  can be pre-installed onto the toilet  10 , along with the adapter  50 , such that the toilet  10  can be installed in a vehicle as a “plug-in” toilet. That is, the toilet  10  can be positioned generally over the floor flange  48 , and the adapter  50  can be directly or indirectly “plugged-into” the floor flange  48  (i.e., such as by the adapter  52 ). 
     The invention has been described with reference to the example embodiments described above. Modifications and alterations will occur to others upon a reading and understanding of this specification. Examples embodiments incorporating one or more aspects of the invention are intended to include all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims.