Toilet screen

Abstract

 A screen (12) for use with a toilet, and in particular for a squat-type toilet, in support. In one embodiment, the screen (12) is removably attached to the fixture, and in another embodiment, the screen is an integral part of the design of the fixture. The support structures include the screen (12) itself, and may also include other accessories, such as an armrest (22) or one or more handles. The screen preferably covers the front portion of the fixture, but may, for example, also cover the front half of the fixture. In an alternative embodiment, the screen completely surrounds the fixture, and includes a door providing a convenient means of entry into the screened area.

Description

[0001] This invention relates generally to enclosures and screens for bathroom areas, and more particularly, relates to enclosures and support apparatus for toilet areas.

[0002] In the conventional decoration of home interiors, a variety of curtains, folding screens, beaded strings, opaque glass enclosures and metal enclosures have typically been used in bathroom areas to provide a greater measure of privacy; and in some cases, such enclosures may also provide structural support for towel racks, soap dishes, and other accessories, as well as structural support for a person to lean on, particularly in stalls for the handicapped. Various seat backs and supportive accessories have also been provided for conventional toilets, in order to provide assistance to the handicapped or disabled, or in order to merely provide items of convenience, such as a small desk or armrest.

[0003] In many countries, squat-type toilets are popular. These typically include side portions upon which a person may stand or squat, instead of sitting on a conventional seat. The squat-type fixture therefore introduces a problem of precarious balancing for the very old, the very young, the disabled, and even for many normal adults. Also, due to the position of a user on top of the squat-type fixture, the user generally faces a greater degree of exposure than would occur with a conventional sit-down type of fixture.

[0004] In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a screen member for use in combination with a toilet having a basin, the screen member having an inside portion and an outside portion, and further including means for securing the screen member to the toilet such that a portion of the screen member extends above the basin to obscure at least a portion of an area above the basin from view from a direction outside the screen member.

[0005] The invention also provides for a screen member in combination with a squat-type toilet, including a basin portion having an upper opening therein, two side-step portions adjacent the upper basin opening, and front and rear portions intermediate the side-step portions, the screen member having an inside portion and an outside portion extending above the basin such that at least a portion of an area above the basin is obscured from view from a direction outside the screen member.

[0006] A further aspect of the invention provides a toilet with a screen member as in the first aspect of the convention, including two side-step portions on the upper portion of the basin adjacent the upper basin opening, and a hinged seat member adapted to rest on the upper portion of the basin, whereby said toilet may be used as a sit-down toilet or a squat toilet.

[0007] Thus the present invention provides a screen for use with a toilet, and in particular for a squat-type toilet, in order to provide not only privacy but also a measure of support. In one embodiment, the screen is removably attached to the fixture e.g. by a strap portion extending from one side of the screen member to the other to fit over an exterior contour of the toilet and which may be adapted to be releasable e.g. by having a releasable connection between the strap and the screen. In another embodiment, the screen is an integral part of the design of the fixture. The support structures include the screen itself, and may also include other accessories, such as an armrest or one or more handles. The screen preferably covers the front portion of the fixture, but may, for example, also cover the front half of the fixture. In an alternate embodiment, the screen completely surrounds the fixture, and includes a door providing a convenient means of entry into the screened area.

[0008] Briefly, and in general terms, a screen member for use in combination with a toilet fixture includes means for securing the screen member to the toilet fixture so that the screen member will extend above the basin of the toilet fixture to obscure the view of the portion of the area of the basin from outside the screen. In the embodiment in which the screen member is an integral part of the toilet fixture, the screen portion extends from the fixture in a similar fashion. The screen is dimensioned to provide privacy to the user, e.g. by extending above the toilet by a height of preferably about 50% or more of the user's torso. Thus a screen intended for a child's toilet could be smaller than one intended for an adult which might extend to about 30 cm high or more.

[0009] The invention will be further described by way of non-limitative example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a screen which can be attached to a toilet fixture;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the screen of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a screen which may be attached to a toilet fixture;

Fig. 4 shows a top-plan view of the embodiment of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a screen integrated with a toilet fixture;

Fig. 6 is a top-plan view of the embodiment of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 shows an alternative embodiment of the screen integrated with the toilet fixture;

Fig. 8 is a top-plan view of the embodiment shown in Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a top-plan view of a further embodiment of the screen with a toilet fixture;

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional elevational view taken along lines 10-10 of Fig.9;

Fig. 11 is a front sectional view of a screened toilet;

Fig. 12 is a front view of an alternative combination squat toilet and conventional toilet;

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of an alternative screened toilet; and

Fig. 14 is a side view of a screened second alternative combination squat toilet and conventional toilet.

[0010] As is shown in drawings for illustrative purposes, the invention is embodied in a screen which may be combined with and secured adjacent to a toilet fixture, in order to provide some measure of privacy and support for a user. The screen may also be formed integrally with the toilet fixture, and may include such useful accessories as an armrest or handles to provide support portions which are easily accessible. Support and accessories for conventional toilets have been useful in the past for disabled or handicapped persons, but there is a need for providing privacy and support structures for all types of toilet fixtures and especially squat toilets, because such toilet fixtures require a user to balance somewhat precariously on the side steps which may also be raised above the level of the floor area.

[0011] As is shown in the drawings, a screen member 10 generally comprises a screen portion 12 which is designed to rise above the level of a toilet fixture to provide at least some degree of privacy by obscuring the view of the toilet fixture and the area above the toilet fixture, so that a person generally near the inside portion 13 of the screen member would not be easily viewable by a person near, or in the direction of, the outside 15 of the screen portion. A lower strap portion 14 integrally connected with the sides of the screening member is adapted to be mounted adjacent the toilet fixture, and most preferably is adapted to be secured to the toilet fixture. In one preferred embodiment, the lower strap portion of the screen member is shaped so as to be able to extend around the outside contour of the toilet fixture, and includes a detachable portion 16 so that the lower portion of the screen member may be assembled around the exterior of the toilet fixture. The detachable portion is joined with the main lower strap portion of the screen member at 18, and bolt holes 20 may also be provided in the lower portion of the screen member for attaching the screen member directly to the toilet fixture.

[0012] In this form of the screen member which may be attached to an existing toilet fixture, which might be a squat-type toilet or even a conventional sit-down toilet, the screen member itself is intended to be secured sufficiently to the toilet fixture and be of sufficiently strong construction so as to support the weight of a person leaning on or against the screen member, to provide support for the user. In order to provide sufficient strength, the screen member may be made of such materials as fiberglass or ceramics, but may also be made of plastic, wood, metal, or combinations of such materials. In one preferred embodiment, the screen member structure may also include an armrest 22. Alternatively, the screen member may include accessories, such as a small shelf or pocket for reading or writing materials, and the like. As is illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, the support member may also include handles 42, or other support structures, such as support bars, which may be placed on the inside or the outside of the screen member.

[0013] In another embodiment, the screen member 30 may have a screen portion which wraps around more of the front portion of the toilet fixture to provide a greater degree of privacy, the screen member being otherwise quite similar to the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The larger screen member provides a greater area on the inside 33 for accessories, and a person standing adjacent the outside 35 of the screen member has a much more greatly obscured view due to the large front screen design. A lower portion of the screen member 34 is also adapted to wrap around the toilet fixture, and also includes a detachable portion 36 joined to the main lower portion at 38, and one or more bolt holes 40.

[0014] Beginning with Fig. 5, another preferred embodiment of the screen member is as an integrated part of a toilet fixture design. The screened squat toilet fixture 50 includes a front screen portion 52 having an inside area 53 and an outside area 55, smoothly joined to the basin 54 of a squat toilet fixture. As is typical with squat toilets, two side steps 56 are provided on the upper surface of the basin area, which also includes a drain 57. An armrest 58 or other support structures and fixtures may also fit on the inside of the screened portion of the integrated screen and toilet design. As is readily apparent, the support structures as well as the sturdy construction and attachment of the screen member are useful in providing support for a person standing on the two side-step portions by the basin.

[0015] The broader front design for a screened squat toilet 60 is illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8. The screened portion 62 including the broader inner area 63 and outside area 65, is joined to the basin 64, and extends roughly adjacent to the side step portions 66. A drain 67 is also provided in the basin, and handle portions 68 extend on either side of the front screen portion.

[0016] In another embodiment illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10, a screen member may also completely surround the toilet fixture. Although in this embodiment, the screen member is illustrated as being integral with the toilet fixture 70, it is equally feasible that the screen member shown in Figs. 9 and 10 could be detachable from the basin fixture. The fluted screen portion 72 completely encircles the toilet fixture area enough to provide a greatly extended inside area 73 for support bars, armrests, handles, shelves, or other accessories. The surrounding enclosure design effectively completely obscures the view of the area above the basin 74 from a person standing a reasonable distance outside of the enclosure. The outside portion 75 of the screen member may also conveniently include various accessories such as towel racks, bars, or handles. The basin area includes side steps 76 and drain 77 toward one end of the fixture. In order to allow entry into the enclosure, a door 78 is also provided, being mounted on hinges 80 to the main portion of the screen member. The door may also be provided with a latching mechanism, and may be conveniently located at any portion of the screen member.

[0017] As is further illustrated in Figs. 11 to 14, an alternative embodiment of the screened toilet includes a conventional toilet with a seat. The integrally formed sit-­down toilet and screen 90 includes a screen portion 92 which may be provided with a door (not shown) as in Figs 9 and 10 and a seat 96. The toilet is most preferably a combination sit-down and squat toilet 94, having a bowl or basin 98 with side steps 100 at the upper portion of the bowl. Other types of screen portions than the fluted enclosure 92 may be utilized, such as the horse head screen 102 which is useful for support, and which may also be formed as part of a combination sit-down and squat toilet 104.

[0018] In the foregoing description, it has been demonstrated that the screen apparatus of the invention may be formed from a variety of screening with an existing toilet fixture or formed integrally with a toilet fixture to provide both privacy and support for a user. The screened portion may merely cover the front of the fixture, to provide a limited degree of privacy, and a limited support area, at the same time allowing a greater degree of freedom of access to the toilet fixture. The more extended front design, providing a greater degree of privacy, also limits the direction of access, and in the embodiment where the screen member completely surrounds the toilet fixture of the greatest degree of privacy, a door is also provided to allow access to the toilet fixture.

[0019] From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the invention can provide various degrees of privacy and support for a user and that the invention may be modified to provide a wide variety of artistic designs for the screening portion, support areas, and convenience accessories, well within the skill of artisans.

Claims

1. A screen member (10,30,50,60,70,90,102) for a toilet having a basin (54,94) with an upper opening therein, the screen member (10,30,50,60,70,90,102) having a portion (12,32,52,62,72,92,102) extending above the basin (54,94) from view from a direction outside the screen member.

2. A screen member according to claim 1 extending upwardly from below the rim of the toilet.

3. A screen member according to claim 1 or 2, for a squat-type toilet having two side step portions (56,66,76,100) adjacent the upper basin opening, and front and rear portions intermediate the side step portions (56,66,76,100).

4. A screen according to Claim 1 or 2 for a toilet including two side-step portions (100) on the upper portion of the basin adjacent the upper basin opening, and a hinged seat member 996) adapted to rest on the upper portion of the basin, whereby said toilet may be used as a sit-down toilet or a squat toilet.

5. A screen member according to claim 3 or 4, further including means (102,78,68,58,42) for supporting a person positioned on the side step portions (56,66,76,100).

6. A screen member according to claim 5 wherein the means for supporting includes an arm rest or a handle (22,58,68).

7. A screen member according to claim 1 or 2 for a sit-down type toilet.

8. A screen member according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the screen member extends above at least a portion of the front portion of the toilet.

9. A screen member according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the screen member extends completely around the toilet, and includes a hinged-door portion (78) to permit entry into the toilet.

10. A screen member according to any one of the preceding claims formed separately from a toilet and including means (16,36) for securing it to a toilet.

11. A screen member according to claim 10, wherein the means (16,56) for securing the screen member comprises a strap portion extending from a side 914,34) of the screen member to another side of the screen member and adapted to fit over the exterior contour of the toilet.

12. A toilet formed integrally with a screen member according to any one of the claims 1 to 9 or in combination with a screen member according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

Drawing