Toilet system for installation in a lorry cabin, with extendable frame and stabilizing facilities

Abstract

Toilet system (1) for use in a lorry cabin, comprising a fixed frame (2a) in which a horizontally slidable frame (2) that is provided with a toilet seat (3) and a toilet opening (3a) is fitted, in which toilet opening a receiving container (4) having a reinforced edge (4a) can be suspended. The receiving container can be closed and removed with the aid of a carrying / closing element (4b). The system is preferably fitted under a bed (6) in the lorry cabin and takes up minimal space in the retracted state. The slidable frame (2) is provided with a supporting, height-adjustable leg (7, 8) which, in the unfolded state, offers stability during use. In addition, a locking mechanism (9) is provided that prevents the slidable frame from undesirably extending during driving movements of the vehicle.

Description

[0001] Title: Toilet system for installation in a lorry cabin, with extendable frame and stabilizing facilities

[0002] Description

[0003] PRIOR ART:

[0004] The present invention relates to a toilet system, in particular intended for use in a lorry cabin. During long drives, overnight stops and traffic congestion, there is a need among drivers for an accessible sanitary facility in the cabin itself, without the drivers needing to leave the cabin. Existing solutions only partially meet this need, have practical limitations or are not suitable for installation in standard lorry cabins.

[0005] Various solutions in which sanitary facilities are integrated in vehicles are known from the prior art.

[0006] International patent publication WO 2023 / 191623 A1 describes a compact toilet system for use in a lorry cabin, consisting of a fixed frame in which a horizontally movable frame having a toilet seat is fitted. Under the toilet seat there is a toilet opening in which a receiving container can be suspended, preferably provided with a reinforced edge. After use, the container can be closed and removed with the aid of a carrying / closing element. A powder or gel can be added to the receiving container in order to bind the contents and limit odour nuisance. The system is eminently suitable for placement under a bed and takes up little space in the retracted state. Although WO 2023 / 191623 A1 offers a practical and space-saving solution, the embodiment described lacks a structural facility for supporting the system during use at higher loads and a mechanism that prevents undesirable extension of the frame during driving or braking.

[0007] US patent publication US 6,079,770 A (Freightliner Corp.) discloses a toilet system which is integrated in a cabinet construction inside a lorry cabin. The toilet is mounted on a support frame which is movable between a storage position in the cabinet, a use position inside the cabin and a cleaning position outside the lorry. The emphasis is on odour-tightness and on facilitating the cleaning as a result of access via a wall on the outside. However, the construction requires a specially adapted lorry cabin and is relatively sizeable, as a result of which use in existing cabins is limited.

[0008] German utility model publication DE 29518206 U1 (Kern) describes a vehicle toilet under a car seat. The system comprises a slidable construction in whicha plastics receiving bag having a closable opening is suspended. The system is particularly suitable for temporary use in passenger cars, with it being possible to easily remove the receiving bag. There is no facility for structural support during use or for preventing undesired movement.

[0009] Japanese publication JP 2018-202117 A (Data Kobo KK) describes a toilet kit for placement in a conventional toilet. The kit contains a receiving bag, a holder, a closing lid and a placement aid. The use is aimed at emergency situations, for example during disasters. Use in vehicles or in confined spaces such as lorry cabins is not intended.

[0010] US 6000068 A (Chavis) describes a portable toilet seat with peelable sheets of paper, intended for placement on an existing toilet in order to facilitate hygienic use. This solution is not suitable for structural installation or receiving of waste in vehicles.

[0011] Finally, US 2017 / 215660 A1 (Noy) discloses a lightweight, foldable children's toilet with an included privacy screen. The emphasis is on mobility, low mass and ease of use for young children. Installation in vehicles is not intended, nor is the system designed for durability or stability during use.

[0012] There is therefore a need for a compact, robust and reliable toilet system which can be structurally installed in existing lorry cabins, preferably under the bed, and which, in the extended position, offers sufficient support for use by adults. There is also a need for a locking mechanism in order to prevent the system from undesirably moving during driving or braking.

[0013] DESCRIPTION

[0014] The object of the present invention is to provide an improved toilet system for installation in a lorry cabin, which is easy to use, takes up little space in the retracted state, and is also provided with structural elements which make the system safer and more stable during use and transport.

[0015] To this end, the invention provides a toilet system which, in a preferred embodiment, builds upon the system described in WO 2023 / 191623 A1 and additionally is provided with two important technical improvements:

[0016] A first aspect of the invention relates to a supporting leg which can be unfolded automatically or manually when the slidable frame of the toilet system is slidoutwards. This leg is preferably height-adjustable so that it can be aligned with the ground or the installation height of the system in the lorry cabin.

[0017] The leg is designed in such a way that, in the unfolded state, it offers stable support for the frame with the toilet seat and user on top. In a preferred embodiment, the leg is suitable for bearing a weight of more than 150 kg. This prevents the slidable frame from sagging or becoming instable during use, even when the user in a sitting position exerts force on the system.

[0018] The leg can, for example, be hinge ably connected to the slidable frame and automatically unfold on account of the force of gravity during the extension of the frame. In other embodiments, the leg can be unfolded manually or be provided with a spring or click system which holds the leg in position during use.

[0019] A second aspect of the invention relates to a mechanism which prevents the slidable frame from undesirably extending on account of driving movements or braking forces. In a preferred embodiment, this relates to a slide or click closure which locks the frame in the retracted position.

[0020] Said closure is preferably easy for the user to operate, for example using one hand, and holds the frame firmly in place when the system is not in use. This prevents the toilet from spontaneously extending, for example when braking the vehicle, which can damage the interior and cause hazardous situations.

[0021] The closure can, for example, be realized with a spring-loaded click system, a hook closure, a locking pin or another mechanical securing mechanism which locks the slidable frame in at least one position. In some embodiments, the system can also be locked in the extended state, in order to increase stability during use.

[0022] DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0023] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a toilet system (1) according to the invention in an extended state. The system comprises a fixed frame (2a) in which a horizontally slidable frame (2) is fitted. A toilet seat (3) is mounted on the slidable frame. A supporting leg (7) is hingeably attached to the front side and can be unfolded automatically or manually during the extension. At the bottom of the leg there is a height-adjustable foot (8). The click mechanism (9) on the front side acts as a closure which prevents the slidable frame (2) from undesirably extending.Figure 2 shows the toilet system (1) in a retracted state. The slidable frame (2) is entirely inside the fixed frame (2a), and the closure (9) holds the frame in a secured manner. The system is shaped in such a way that it takes up virtually no space, for example under a bed in a lorry cabin, when it is not in use.

[0024] Figure 3 shows the toilet system (1) in the use position, with a receiving container (4) placed in the toilet opening (3a). The container is provided with a reinforced edge (4a) which rests on the surface around the toilet opening. A carrying / closing element (4b) is visible above the receiving container, ready to be attached to the reinforced edge (4a) after use.

[0025] Figure 4 shows the opening of the toilet seat (3) during use of the system. The receiving container (4) hangs in the toilet opening, and in the background it can be seen how the system is installed under a bed (6) in a lorry cabin. The supporting leg (7) ensures stability during use.

[0026] Figure 5 shows the closing and removal of the receiving container (4) after use. The carrying / closing element (4b) is placed on the reinforced edge (4a), after which the user can lift the container out of the toilet opening (3a). The toilet seat (3) is shown open in this case.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Toilet system (1) for use in a lorry cabin, comprising a fixed frame (2a) which is provided with a horizontally slidable frame (2) having a toilet seat (3), wherein the slidable frame (2) is provided with a toilet opening (3a) under the toilet seat (3), wherein all this is configured in such a way that a receiving container (4) can be fitted in the toilet opening (3a) for receiving faeces and / or urine,characterized in that the slidable frame (2) is provided with a supporting leg (7) which, in an unfolded state, supports the slidable frame during use, wherein the leg (7) is height-adjustable.

2. Toilet system according to Claim 1, characterized in that the supporting leg (7) is hingeably connected to the slidable frame (2) in such a way that it can be unfolded automatically or manually while the frame (2) is being extended.

3. Toilet system according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the height adjustment of the leg (7) is realized via a rotatably settable foot (8) at the end of the leg.

4. Toilet system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the system is provided with a locking mechanism (9) for locking the slidable frame (2) in a retracted position with respect to the fixed frame (2a).

5. Toilet system according to Claim 4, characterized in that the locking mechanism (9) comprises a click, slide or hook closure which can be operated manually by the user.

6. Toilet system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the system is configured to, in a retracted state, be placed under a bed (6) in the lorry cabin, wherein it takes up virtually no extra space in said state.

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