Toilet equipment and cleaning assemblies

Abstract

To provide a toilet equipment equipped with an anti-clogging and cleaning assembly, capable of preventing foreign objects from entering a toilet bowl, and capable of cleaning foreign objects from the toilet equipment in a simple and improved manner when the foreign objects enter the toilet bowl.SOLUTION: A toilet equipment is provided that includes an inlet pipe 4, a toilet bowl 6 in fluid communication with the inlet pipe, an outlet pipe 8 in fluid communication with the toilet bowl, a jet pipe 14 in fluid communication with the inlet and outlet pipes, and a removable jet pipe assembly 22 connecting the jet pipe to the outlet pipe. A foreign object strainer may be provided in series with the inlet pipe. A flush assembly may also include a flush valve, a vacuum breaker tube in fluid communication with the flush valve, a foreign object strainer in fluid communication with the vacuum breaker tube, and an outlet pipe in fluid communication with the foreign object strainer.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] (CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS) This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 913,233, filed October 10, 2019, the contents of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety herein.

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to toilet fixtures, and more particularly to toilet fixtures having anti-clogging and cleaning features. [Background technology]

[0003] In current toilet fixtures, angle stop sealants, flush valve diaphragms, and vacuum breaker rubbers tend to deteriorate over time, causing these components to break apart and flow into the plumbing system of the toilet fixture. This deterioration and general debris in the plumbing system causes blockage of the blowout jet or the downflow of the water closet inlet at the flush rim hole that flushes the toilet bowl of the toilet fixture. Such blockages result in insufficient flushing of the toilet bowl and removal of waste from the toilet bowl. Removing the debris in the blowout jet is particularly difficult when it is welded to the discharge pipe, requiring the toilet fixture to be removed from the wall and sent back to the manufacturer, where the toilet fixture is cut and rewelded, and then sent back to the customer for re-installation. Another method that has been tried is to remove the toilet fixture from the wall, turn the toilet fixture upside down, and heat the blowout jet area with a torch to melt the debris while hitting the blowout jet area with a hammer to release the melted debris. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] (Summary of the invention) In view of the above, there is currently a need for a toilet fixture with an anti-clogging and cleaning assembly. There is a further need for a toilet fixture that can prevent debris from entering the toilet bowl. There is a further need for a toilet fixture that can provide an easy and improved method of cleaning debris from the toilet fixture if debris does enter the toilet bowl. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In one example of the present disclosure, a toilet fixture may include an inlet pipe, a toilet bowl in fluid communication with the inlet pipe, an outlet pipe in fluid communication with the toilet bowl, a jet pipe in fluid communication with the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe, and a removable jet pipe assembly connecting the jet pipe to the outlet pipe.

[0006] The removable jet pipe assembly may include a mounting base disposed on the outlet pipe and a jet removably connected to the mounting base. The removable jet pipe assembly may include a locking mechanism for removal of the jet from the mounting base and for installation of the jet to the mounting base. The locking mechanism may include a pair of locking arms for holding the jet on the mounting base. At least one of the locking arms may be spring biased such that the locking arm is movable relative to the mounting base between a locked position and an unlocked position. The locking mechanism may include at least one threaded member for adjusting the biasing force of the spring biased locking arm. A fitting may be provided in-line with the inlet pipe, where the fitting is connected to the jet pipe. The fitting may have a cleanout hole that allows access to an interior space of the inlet pipe and the jet pipe.

[0007] In another example of the present disclosure, the toilet fixture may include an inlet pipe, a toilet bowl in fluid communication with the inlet pipe, an outlet pipe in fluid communication with the toilet bowl, a jet pipe in fluid communication with the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe, and a debris strainer in series with the inlet pipe.

[0008] In another example of the disclosure, the debris strainer includes a body, a debris strainer plate disposed within the body, and a debris reservoir disposed below the debris strainer plate. The debris strainer may include a removable cover, the removable cover supporting the debris reservoir within the debris strainer. The removable cover may be threadedly attached to the body. The debris strainer plate may define at least one aperture. The at least one aperture may be sized to allow fluid to pass therethrough and to prevent debris in the fluid from passing therethrough. The debris strainer plate may be disposed at an angle relative to the body.

[0009] In another example of the present disclosure, a cleaning assembly may include a cleaning valve, a vacuum breaker tube in fluid communication with the cleaning valve, a debris strainer in fluid communication with the vacuum breaker tube, and an outlet pipe in fluid communication with the debris strainer.

[0010] In another example of the disclosure, the debris strainer may include a body, a debris strainer plate disposed within the body, and a debris reservoir disposed below the debris strainer plate. The debris strainer may include a removable cover, where the removable cover supports the debris reservoir within the debris strainer. The debris strainer plate may be disposed at an angle relative to the body. The debris strainer plate may define at least one aperture. The at least one aperture may be sized to allow fluid to pass therethrough and to prevent debris in the fluid from passing therethrough.

[0011] In another example of the present disclosure, a toilet fixture may include a jet pipe adapted to be disposed in fluid communication with an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe, the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe being in fluid communication with a toilet bowl; a removable jet pipe assembly configured to selectively connect and disconnect the jet pipe to the outlet pipe. The removable jet pipe assembly may include a mounting base adapted to be disposed on the outlet pipe; and a jet removably connected to the mounting base.

[0012] Further details and advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view of a toilet facility according to one example of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of a jet assembly of the toilet fixture of FIG. 1 according to one example of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a rear view of the jet assembly of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the jet assembly of FIG. 2 taken along line BB. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a side view of a toilet facility according to another example of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a side view of a debris strainer according to one example of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a front view of the foreign matter strainer of FIG. 6. [Figure 8] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the debris strainer of FIG. 6 taken along line AA. [Figure 9] 1 is a toilet facility according to another example of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a front view of the toilet facility of FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the toilet facility of FIG. 9 along line AA. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a side view of a strainer according to one example of the present disclosure. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a top view of the strainer of FIG. 12. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the strainer of FIG. 12. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Description of the Disclosure For purposes of the following description, spatial orientation terms used are with respect to the referenced embodiment as oriented in the accompanying drawings, figures, or otherwise described in the detailed description below. However, it is understood that the embodiments described below may assume many alternative variations and configurations. It is also to be understood that the specific components, devices, features, and operational sequences illustrated in the accompanying drawings, figures, or otherwise described herein are merely illustrative and should not be considered limiting.

[0015] The present disclosure is directed generally to toilet fixtures, and in particular to toilet fixtures having anti-clogging and cleaning arrangements. Specific preferred, non-limiting examples of components of said toilet fixtures are shown in Figures 1-14.

[0016] Referring to FIG. 1, a toilet fixture 2 utilizing an anti-clogging and cleaning arrangement is shown and depicted. The toilet fixture 2 includes an inlet pipe 4, a toilet bowl 6, and an outlet / drain pipe 8. The inlet pipe 4 may include a fitting ring 10 for connecting to a flushing assembly (not shown in FIG. 1) located behind a wall to which the toilet fixture 2 is fixed. Fluid from the flushing assembly is directed to the inlet pipe 4 and into the toilet bowl 6. The toilet bowl 6 may be any type of toilet bowl commonly known in the art. The toilet bowl 6 may have a plurality of flushing edge rinse holes 12 defined in an upper edge of the toilet bowl 6. Waste and fluid from the toilet bowl 6 are flushed out of the toilet fixture 2 via the drain pipe 8. The inlet pipe 4, the toilet bowl 6, and the drain pipe 8 may be made of stainless steel and may be pre-welded prior to mounting the toilet fixture 2 to a wall.

[0017] As mentioned above, debris from the cleaning assembly may be directed to the toilet fixture 2 via the inlet pipe 4. This debris may be directed into the toilet bowl 6, which may cause the toilet bowl 6 to become clogged. And / or this debris may be directed via the jet pipe 14, which fluidly connects the inlet pipe 4 to the outlet pipe 8. The jet pipe 14 may also direct fluid from the inlet pipe 4 to the outlet pipe 8 to facilitate flushing any waste or debris from the outlet pipe 8. However, debris from the cleaning assembly may become clogged within the outlet pipe 8. Thus, in this example of the toilet fixture 2, a fitting 16 is provided in series with the inlet pipe 4 and connected to the jet pipe 14. The fitting 16 has a cleanout hole 18, which allows an individual to access the interior of the inlet pipe 4 and / or the jet pipe 14 to remove any debris that has been directed through the cleaning assembly. The fitting 16 may include a removable cap 20 for covering the cleanout hole 18.

[0018] 1-4, the toilet fixture 2 may include a jet assembly 22 provided at an end of the jet pipe 14 and connected to the outlet pipe 8. The jet assembly 22 may be removably connected to the jet pipe 14 and the outlet pipe 8 such that the jet assembly 22 may be easily removed from the toilet fixture 2 to remove any debris that may have accumulated in the jet assembly 22. The jet assembly 22 includes a jet 24, a mounting base 26, and a locking mechanism 28. The jet 24 defines a passage for directing fluid from the inlet pipe 4 to the outlet pipe 8 and has a first threaded end for connecting to the jet pipe 14 and a flanged end for connecting to the mounting base 26. The mounting base 26 may be welded or fixed to an outer surface of the outlet pipe 8. In another example, the mounting base 26 may be mechanically fixed according to any known technique for fastening two elements together, such as nuts and bolts, screws, clamps, and / or latches. The jet 24 may be retained on the mounting base 26 using the locking mechanism 28. The locking mechanism 28 includes two locking arms 30, 32 that retain a bottom of the jet 24 between the mounting base 26 and the locking mechanism 28. One locking arm 30 may be slidable relative to the mounting base 26, while the other locking arm 32 may be held stationary on the mounting base 26. The locking arm 30 may be spring-loaded to a locked position by a resilient member, such as a spring 34. An individual may move the locking arm 34 to an open position by pushing the locking arm 30 against the spring 34. When the locking arm 30 is moved away from the locking arm 34, an opening is enlarged to receive the jet 24, allowing an individual to remove or insert the jet 24. When the jet 24 is inserted, releasing the locking arm 30 causes the spring 34 to bias the locking arm 30 back to the locked position, locking the jet 24 to the mounting base 26 .The locking mechanism 28 allows an individual to simply and efficiently remove and install the jet 24 to the mounting base 26 and keep the jet 24 free of debris. In one example of the present disclosure, the jet assembly 22 also includes at least one threaded member 36 that can be used to adjust the biasing force of the spring 34 against the locking arm 30. The threaded member 36 can also be removed to allow complete removal of the jet 24. As shown in FIG. 4, a sealing gasket 38 can be provided between the flanged end of the jet 24 and the mounting base 26 to ensure a leak-free connection between the jet 24 and the mounting base 26. The sealing gasket 38 can be made of an elastomer.

[0019] Referring to FIG. 5, in another example of the present disclosure, the toilet fixture 2 may include a debris strainer 40 to prevent debris and foreign objects from being guided into the inlet pipe 4, the toilet bowl 6, and / or the outlet pipe 8. The debris strainer 40 may be provided in line with the inlet pipe 4 upstream of the toilet bowl 6 to capture any debris or foreign objects guided into the inlet pipe 4 from the flushing assembly. Referring to FIGS. 6-8, the debris strainer 40 includes a body 42 having one end 44 for threaded attachment to the inlet pipe 4 and an opposite end 46 for connection to a fitting ring 10 of the toilet fixture 2. The body 42 is substantially tubular and defines a passage for fluid to flow from the flushing assembly to the inlet pipe 4. The body 42 also includes a threaded extension 48 extending from a bottom surface of the body 42. A cover 50, which may be threaded on and off the threaded extension 48, is removably attached to the threaded extension 48. The threaded extension 48 defines a passageway that receives a debris reservoir 52. The debris reservoir 52 may be retained in the threaded extension 48 by threading the cover 50 onto the threaded extension 48 to support the debris reservoir 52. The debris reservoir 52 is formed as a receptacle for receiving any debris and other debris that is intercepted by the debris strainer 40, as will be described in more detail below.

[0020] The debris strainer 40 also includes a debris strainer plate 54 disposed within the main passageway of the body 42. The debris strainer plate 54 may be disposed within the body 42 at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the main passageway of the body 42. The debris strainer plate 54 defines at least one aperture 56 to allow fluid to flow through the debris strainer plate 54. The aperture 56 is sized to allow fluid to pass through the debris strainer plate 54 but prevent larger debris from passing through the debris strainer plate 54 and into the toilet fixture 2. It is contemplated that any number of apertures 56 may be defined in the debris strainer plate 54 and that the apertures 56 may be sized according to the needs of a particular toilet fixture 2 based on the size of debris expected to travel through the toilet fixture 2. 8, in one example of the present disclosure, the upper end of the debris strainer plate 54 is directed toward the end 46 of the body 42, and the lower end of the debris strainer plate 54 is directed toward the end 44 of the body 42. Thus, in the case of fluid and debris from the cleaning assembly being directed into the debris strainer 40, the debris is blocked by the debris strainer plate 54, and the fluid is allowed to flow through the apertures 56 of the debris strainer plate 54 to the inlet pipe 4. The debris blocked by the debris strainer plate 54 falls into the debris reservoir 52. Periodically, an individual can remove the cover 50 from the threaded extension 48, remove the debris reservoir 52, and empty debris from the debris reservoir 52. The debris reservoir 52 can then be reinserted into the debris strainer 40 and the cover 50 rethreaded onto the threaded extension 48. Use of the debris strainer 40 can prevent debris and other waste from the flushing assembly from entering the inlet pipe 4 and remaining components of the toilet fixture 2.

[0021] 9-11, the debris strainer 40 described above is shown to be used with a flushing assembly 58 according to one example of the present disclosure. The flushing assembly 58 includes a momentum flush valve 60 for directing fluid through the flushing assembly 58 and into the toilet fixture 2, a vacuum breaker pipe 62, an elbow joint 64 connecting the vacuum breaker pipe 62 to the debris strainer 40, and an outlet pipe 66 connected at one end to the debris strainer 40 and at an opposite end to the inlet pipe 4 of the toilet fixture 2. The elbow joint 64 is connected to the vacuum breaker pipe 62 and the debris strainer 40 via a slip joint nut 68. The debris strainer 40 is connected to the outlet pipe 66 via the slip joint nut 68.

[0022] The debris strainer 40 used with the cleaning assembly 58 is substantially similar to the debris strainer 40 described above in connection with the toilet fixture 2. The debris strainer 40 includes a debris strainer plate 54 that is angled toward the elbow joint 64 so that when the debris strainer 40 blocks debris in a fluid passing through the debris strainer 40, the debris is directed into the debris reservoir 52. The debris reservoir 52 is retained within the debris strainer 40 by the cover 50. When provided in the cleaning assembly 58, the debris strainer 40 may also include a reservoir overflow detection aperture 70. The reservoir overflow detection aperture 70 is an aperture defined in the debris strainer 40 that allows an individual to determine when the debris reservoir 52 is full or if large debris has become lodged within the debris strainer 40. In another example of the present disclosure, the reservoir overflow detection aperture 70 may include a sensor 71 that notifies an individual when the debris reservoir 52 is full or if large debris has become lodged in the debris strainer 40. In one example of the present disclosure, the sensor 71 may be a through-beam sensor that detects when debris has become lodged in the debris strainer 40. The through-beam sensor may project a laser beam through the debris strainer 40 and, when debris passes through the laser beam, the sensor 71 may identify the debris and send an appropriate signal to a controller to notify a user. In another example of the present disclosure, a pressure detection sensor may be provided in the body 42 adjacent the opposite end 46. If high pressure occurs in the body 42 due to debris blockage, the pressure detection sensor may identify the high pressure and send an appropriate signal to a controller to notify a user. In another example of the present disclosure, the cover 50 may be made from a clear / transparent material that allows a user to look through the cover 50 and discern if debris is lodged in the debris strainer 40. In another example of the present disclosure, the sensor 71 may be a reflective sensor that detects debris within the debris strainer 40 similar to an infrared sensor.

[0023] With reference to FIGS. 12-14, a vacuum breaker and debris strainer assembly 72 (hereinafter referred to as "assembly 72") is shown and described. The assembly 72 includes a vacuum breaker 74 and an integral mesh strainer 76. As shown in FIG. 12, in one example of the present disclosure, the assembly 72 may be formed as a monolithic structure. As shown in FIG. 14, in one example of the present disclosure, the assembly 72 may be provided as separate components operatively connected to each other. The vacuum breaker 74 may be made of ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber. The mesh strainer 76 may be made of stainless steel. The vacuum breaker 74 may be formed integrally with the mesh strainer 76. The assembly 72 may be provided within the flushing assembly 58 to prevent backflow of fluid from the toilet fixture 2 to the flushing assembly 58. As shown in FIG. 11 , the assembly 72 may be disposed within the vacuum breaker pipe 62 below the momentum flush valve 60. In one example, the assembly 72 may be molded with the vacuum breaker pipe 62. In another example, the assembly 72 may be removably inserted within the vacuum breaker pipe 62. The mesh strainer 76 defines a plurality of apertures that allow fluid to pass but prevent any debris from passing through the vacuum breaker 74 and into the flushing assembly 58 or the toilet fixture 2. The apertures are sized to allow fluid to pass through the mesh strainer 76 but prevent larger debris from passing through the mesh strainer 76 and into the flushing assembly 58 or the toilet fixture 2. If debris accumulates within the mesh strainer 76, the assembly 72 may be removed to remove debris from the mesh strainer 76.

[0024] While several aspects of the toilet fixture and flushing assembly are shown in the accompanying drawings and described in detail above, other aspects will be apparent to and readily made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the foregoing description is intended to be illustrative rather than limiting. The above invention is defined by the appended claims, and all modifications of the invention that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced within their scope.

Claims

1. Inlet pipe, a toilet bowl in fluid communication with the inlet pipe; an outlet pipe in fluid communication with the toilet bowl; a jet pipe in fluid communication with the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe; and The toilet facility further comprises a foreign object strainer disposed in series with the inlet pipe.

2. The foreign matter strainer is Main unit, a debris strainer plate disposed within the body; and 10. The toilet fixture of claim 1, further comprising a debris reservoir disposed below the debris strainer plate.

3. 3. The toilet fixture of claim 2, wherein the debris strainer further comprises a removable cover, wherein the removable cover supports the debris reservoir within the debris strainer.

4. The toilet fixture of claim 3 , wherein the removable cover is threadedly attached to the body.

5. The toilet fixture of claim 2 , wherein the debris strainer plate defines at least one aperture.

6. 6. The toilet fixture of claim 5, wherein the at least one aperture is sized to allow fluid to pass therethrough and to prevent debris in the fluid from passing therethrough.

7. 3. The toilet fixture of claim 2, wherein the debris strainer plate is disposed at an angle relative to the body.

8. Cleaning valve, a vacuum breaker tube in fluid communication with the flush valve; a debris strainer in fluid communication with the vacuum breaker tube; and an outlet pipe in fluid communication with the debris strainer.

9. The foreign matter strainer is Main unit, a debris strainer plate disposed within the body; and The cleaning assembly of claim 8 , comprising a debris reservoir located below the debris strainer plate.

10. The cleaning assembly of claim 9 , wherein the debris strainer further comprises a removable cover, wherein the removable cover supports the debris reservoir within the debris strainer.

11. The cleaning assembly of claim 9 , wherein the debris strainer plate is disposed at an angle relative to the body.

12. the debris strainer plate defines at least one aperture; The cleaning assembly of claim 9 , wherein the at least one aperture is sized to allow fluid to pass therethrough and to prevent debris in the fluid from passing therethrough.

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