Toilets with improved removability for passenger transport vehicles

• US 9,371,136 B2
• Filed: 01/30/2014
• Issued: 06/21/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MAG Aerospace Industries Incorporated
• Original Assignee: MAG Aerospace Industries Incorporated
• Inventors: Beach, David A., Ratliff, Robert G., Kuhns, Howard C. B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Huyen
• Assistant Examiner(s): Skubinna, Christine
• Application Number:
  US14/168,247
• Publication Number:
  US 20140208498A1
• Time in Patent Office: 873 Days
• Field of Search: 443/5, 443/1, 432/1, 425/21
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 toilet system for use on-board a passenger aircraft, the system comprising:

(a) a toilet frame comprising a bowl receiving opening, a flush body receiving opening, and a rinse ring valve bracket;

(b) a quick release rinse ring and valve system comprising (i) a rinse ring that is securable to and removable from an upper surface of the toilet frame via a quick release securement system, the rinse ring further comprising a valve attachment, and (ii) a rinse valve having a first end receivable by the valve attachment of the rinse ring and a second end receivable by the rinse ring valve bracket of the toilet frame;

(c) a quick release flush valve system comprising a flush valve body receivable by the flush body receiving opening of the toilet frame to extend therethrough, the flush valve body configured to be fluidly connected to a waste outlet of a toilet bowl via a quick connection feature; and

(d) a removable toilet bowl configured to be received by the bowl receiving opening of the toilet frame and secured in place via placement of the quick release ring and valve system.

2. The toilet system of claim 1, wherein the valve attachment supports an anti-siphon valve.

3. The toilet system of claim 1, wherein the valve attachment supports a lower outlet that cooperates with the first end of the rinse valve.

4. The toilet system of claim 1, wherein the quick release rinse ring and valve system further comprises an integrated rinse valve and anti-siphon valve.

5. The toilet system of claim 1, wherein the quick release rinse ring and valve system further comprises a system to maintain a distance between an upper surface of the rinse ring and the upper surface of the toilet frame.

6. The toilet system of claim 1, wherein the securement system comprises a series of bands and protrusions, wherein the bands stretch around the protrusions to maintain the rinse ring in place.

7. The toilet system of claim 6, wherein the bands are elastomeric bands.

8. The toilet system of claim 1, wherein the securement system comprises a hinge system such that the rinse ring rotates away from the upper surface of the toilet frame.

9. The toilet system of claim 1, wherein the quick connection feature of the quick release flush valve system comprises an actuation handle and a securement pin.

10. The toilet system of claim 1, wherein the actuation handle is positioned near a waste outlet of the toilet bowl, wherein the securement pin is positioned on a toilet bowl outlet connection arm of the flush valve body, and wherein movement of the actuation handle with respect to the securement pin compresses a seal to maintain fluid connection.

11. The toilet system of claim 1, wherein the flush valve body comprises a vacuum waste system connection arm and a toilet bowl outlet connection arm.

12. The toilet system of claim 1, mounted on-board a passenger transport vehicle.

13. The toilet system of claim 1, further comprising a protective shroud covering the toilet system.