Patent US1973377A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US3908202A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3908202A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Toilet
Assignee: Thetford LLC
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Filing: 1974-04-17
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Granted: 1975-09-30
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Expires: 1994-04-17
Abstract
Abstract Toilet apparatus especially adapted for use in oriental countries wherein water conservation is practiced and the user seeks to make minimal physical contact with the toilet facilities. The toilet apparatus is installed in a step-like structure that has a slot or recess in the step into which the bowl assembly is fitted with the major portion of the peripheral edge of the bowl assembly essentially flush with the top of the step so that the user can squat on the step out of contact with the bowl when using the toilet facilities. A valve assembly is secured to the bottom of the slot or recess for closing the outlet of the bowl and a measured quantity of water is available in a flush conduit for gravity feed flushing when a flush control means is actuated. To facilitate installation of the apparatus in step structures of irregular or inconsistant dimensions, the valve assembly and bowl have a telescoping joint to enable the installer to adjust the vertical position of the bowl relative to the mounted position of the valve assembly.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald J Sargent
- 👤 Broek Christiaan J H Vanden
- 👤 Arthur W Henke
- 👤 James M Andersen
- 👤 Jr Benjamin H Stansbury
- 👤 Stephen H Kaminski
- 👤 Edward Mayer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 14:56
CPC Classifications
E; E03; E03D; E03D5/00; E03D5/012; E03D11/00; E03D11/02; E03D11/10; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S4/00; Y10S4/905
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
246 words
An oriental-style toilet in combination with a step-like supporting structure, said toilet being mounted in a recess in said step-like supporting structure with the top edge of the toilet bowl adjacent to the top surface of the step-like supporting structure and the bottom outlet of the bowl adjacent to a discharge outlet in the bottom wall of said recess, said toilet comprising a valve assembly supported on the bottom wall of said recess over said discharge outlet and including a valve element movable between closed and open positions for clsoing and opening communication with said discharge outlet, a bowl assembly supported on said step-like supporting structure having a bowl with a bottom outlet connected with said valve assembly so that moving of said valve element to an open posiTion will allow discharge of the contents of said bowl into said discharge outlet, said bowl assembly having a passageway adjacent to the upper periphery of said bowl for discharging flush water onto the inner surface of said bowl, and a flush water supply assembly including a water tank mounted at an elevation above said passageway, a conduit in communication with said tank and said passageway for holding a predetermined volume of water, and valve means at the lower end of said conduit operable when moved to an open position to discharge the predetermined volume of water from said conduit into said passageway, and manually operable control means operable to open said valve means and said valve assembly.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
246 words
An oriental-style toilet in combination with a step-like supporting structure, said toilet being mounted in a recess in said step-like supporting structure with the top edge of the toilet bowl adjacent to the top surface of the step-like supporting structure and the bottom outlet of the bowl adjacent to a discharge outlet in the bottom wall of said recess, said toilet comprising a valve assembly supported on the bottom wall of said recess over said discharge outlet and including a valve element movable between closed and open positions for clsoing and opening communication with said discharge outlet, a bowl assembly supported on said step-like supporting structure having a bowl with a bottom outlet connected with said valve assembly so that moving of said valve element to an open posiTion will allow discharge of the contents of said bowl into said discharge outlet, said bowl assembly having a passageway adjacent to the upper periphery of said bowl for discharging flush water onto the inner surface of said bowl, and a flush water supply assembly including a water tank mounted at an elevation above said passageway, a conduit in communication with said tank and said passageway for holding a predetermined volume of water, and valve means at the lower end of said conduit operable when moved to an open position to discharge the predetermined volume of water from said conduit into said passageway, and manually operable control means operable to open said valve means and said valve assembly.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
57 words
The combination that is defined in claim 1, wherein a restricted flow control means is positioned between said tank and said conduit for providing communication therebetween so that after the predetermined volume of water has been discharged from said conduit for flush purposes the conduit can be recharged from the tank via said restricted flow control means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The combination that is defined in claim 2, wherein said restricted flow control means comprises an apertured standpipe in said tank.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
125 words
The combination that is defined in claim 1, wherein said bowl assembly comprises an elongated relatively narrow bowl, said bowl being positioned with its long axis extending inwardly into the recess in the step-like supporting structure, the inward end of the upper peripheral portion of said bowl being elevated with the apex of the elevated portion located on the long axis of the bowl, and said passageway comprises a channel formed around the upper peripheral portion of said bowl, said conduit having its lower end adjacent to the apex of the elevated peripheral portion for discharge into the elevated end of said channel, said channel having slots in its inner wall through which water can flow from said channel to the interior of said bowl.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
The combination that is defined in claim 4, wherein the valve means at the lower end of said conduit is a poppet valve, and said manually operable control means includes a pivotally mounted lever and a cable extending between said lever and said poppet valve and adapted to open said poppet valve when said lever is pivoted.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
61 words
The combination that is defined in claim 1, wherein the bottom of said bowl and said valve assembly are connected by a telescoping joint so that the vertical dimension between the connection of the bowl with the valve assembly and the bowl assembly with said step-like supporting structure can be varied to accomodate irregularities in construction of the step-like supporting structure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
The combination that is defined in claim 6, wherein said telescoping joint comprises an upstanding annular flange on said valve assembly, a sealing ring supported within said annular flange, and a depending annular sleeve defining the bottom outlet of said bowl, said sleeve being fitted into said sealing ring.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
63 words
The combination that is defined in claim 1, wherein said manually operable control means comprises a foot pedal pivotally mounted on said valve assembly, first means connected to said valve element and responsive to movement of said pedal for moving said valve element, and second means connected to said valve means and responsive to movement of said pedal for moving said valve means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
The combination that is defined in claim 8, wherein said second means comprises a flexible cable connected at one end to said valve means and at the other end to said pedal and operable when tensioned in response to pivotal movement of said pedal to open said valve means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
45 words
The combination that is defined in claim 8, wherein said second means includes an auxiliary pedal adapted to be depressed independently of the first-named pedal for opening said valve means for introducing water into said bowl when said valve element is in a closed position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
The combination that is defined in claim 8, wherein said valve eleMent is arranged to slide in a horizontal plane between its open and closed positions in response to movement of said pedal.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-09-29 | 1979-03-31 | 1979-09-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-29 | 1983-03-31 | 1983-09-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-29 | 1987-03-31 | 1987-09-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |