Toilets with improved removability for passenger transport vehicles

• US 10,011,358 B2
• Filed: 05/25/2016
• Issued: 07/03/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MAG Aerospace Industries LLC (Safran SA)
• Original Assignee: MAG Aerospace Industries LLC (Safran SA)
• Inventors: Beach, David A., Ratliff, Robert G., Kuhns, Howard C. B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Skubinna, Christine
• Application Number:
  US15/163,923
• Publication Number:
  US 20160264245A1
• Time in Patent Office: 769 Days
• Field of Search: 4435
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/02 Toilet fittings of general application A47K
• CPC Class Codes: E03D 11/02 Water-closet bowls auxiliary chambers with connections to flushing water for bowl-cleaning utensils E03D9/06; modified for using upwardly-directed sprays E03D9/08; seats or covers A47K13/00 ; Bowls with a double odour seal optionally with provisions for a good siphonic action; siphons as part of the bowl parts or details of bowls E03D11/13
• CPC Class Codes: E03D 11/17 Means for connecting the bowl to the flushing pipe
• CPC Class Codes: E03D 2201/40 Devices for distribution of flush water inside the bowl
• CPC Class Codes: E03D 5/00 Special constructions of flushing devices in motor vehicles or trailers B60R15/00; in railway carriages B61D35/00; in ships B63B29/14; in aircraft B64D11/02, e.g. closed flushing system
• CPC Class Codes: E03F 1/006 Pneumatic sewage disposal systems; accessories specially adapted therefore
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/40 Weight reduction

Abstract

Embodiments described herein relate to quick release toilet concepts, which can be useful particularly on-board aircraft and other passenger transport vehicles. Further specific embodiments relate to a quick release rinse valve, a quick release flush valve, an integrated rinse ring, a replaceable toilet bowl, an integrated anti-siphon/rinse valve, and improved flush valve performance.

Claims

1. A valve system for use on-board a passenger transport vehicle, the valve system comprising:

(a) a toilet frame configured to support a toilet bowl and a flush valve,

(b) a flush valve body configured to be fluidly connected to a waste outlet of the toilet bowl via a connection feature, the flush valve body having a vacuum waste system connection arm and a toilet bowl outlet connection arm;

the toilet bowl outlet connection arm shaped to cooperate with the waste outlet of the toilet bowl and having at least one portion of the connection feature;

the waste outlet of the toilet bowl having at least a second portion of the connection feature, wherein the connection feature allows removal of the flush valve body from the waste outlet of the toilet bowl without removal of the toilet bowl or the toilet frame;

(c) a removable rinse ring comprising a lower outlet valve attachment;

(d) a rinse valve configured to be fluidly connected and directly coupled to the removable rinse ring via the lower outlet valve attachment of the rinse ring,

(e) wherein the toilet frame further comprises a bracket,

wherein retention of the rinse ring on the toilet frame sandwiches the rinse valve between the rinse ring and the bracket.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the connection feature comprises an actuation handle and a securement pin.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the actuation handle is positioned near the waste outlet of the toilet bowl, wherein the securement pin is positioned on the toilet bowl outlet connection arm, and wherein movement of the actuation handle with respect to the securement pin maintains fluid connection between waste outlet and the toilet bowl outlet connection arm.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the toilet frame comprises a toilet bowl receiving portion, a base portion, and a flush valve body receiving opening.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the toilet bowl comprises a removable toilet bowl, positionable within the toilet bowl receiving portion such that the waste outlet is accessible through the flush valve body receiving opening.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the toilet bowl outlet connection arm of the flush valve body is connectable to the toilet bowl outlet via the connection feature.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the connection feature further comprises a seal configured to be compressed.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the seal is positioned between the toilet bowl waste outlet and the toilet bowl connection arm.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein this rinse ring further comprises an upper stem that supports an anti-siphon valve.