URINAL SYSTEM

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to human waste management, more specifically but not by way of limitation, a urinal system that is configured to operate with a reduced water consumption wherein the urinal system includes but is not limited to a urinal member that is hingedly mounted to the wall and is further operably coupled to a collector member wherein the collector member facilitates fluid management into a common drain.

BACKGROUND

Plumbing systems are installed in all commercial and residential structures and are utilized to provide water to various locations in the structure and further provide management of wastewater removal from the structure into a municipal wastewater system. As is known in the art, in addition to the water supply component of plumbing systems, the water drainage component is a significant portion of the plumbing system within a structure. Drainage system components are configured to remove water from objects such as but not limited to sinks, showers and toilets. All of the drainage components provide removal of the wastewater from the aforementioned locations. Commercial structures typically will have urinals in the bathrooms for use thereof. As is known in the art, urinals are mounted to a wall having independent water supply as well as an independent drainpipe operably coupled to the main drain system for the structure. Most urinal systems employ flushometers to provide water for operation thereof.

Many issues arise when servicing urinals ensuing of problems occurring therewith. One issue with service of urinals is the requirement to cut holes in walls when troubleshooting and/or replacing piping components. As conventional urinals are secured to a wall, in the event service is required it is common for plumbers to be required to cut an access hole in the wall adjacent to the urinal in order to facilitate a repair. This results in additional time and expense to the owner of the structure. It is common to have multiple urinals in a single bathroom in a commercial installation. Each of the multiple urinals are plumbed with isolated drain pipes that are operably coupled to the main drainage pipe of the structure. Installation of conventional urinals with the separate drain pipes are expensive and more costly to maintain.

Accordingly, there is a need for a urinal system that is configured to provide improved maintenance thereof wherein the present invention includes urinal members that are hingedly mounted to the wall for access to piping elements behind the urinal and wherein the present invention further employs a collection member that facilitates installation of multiple urinals that are operably coupled to a single drain pipe member and wherein all of the components of the urinal system can be replaced or serviced on the same day.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the present invention to provide a urinal system that is configured to be installed in a structure wherein the urinal system includes a urinal member that is hingedly mounted to the wall.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a urinal system that is configured to provide installation of multiple urinals and operably couple the multiple urinals to a single drain pipe member wherein the present invention includes a collection member operably coupled to the urinal members.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a urinal system that is configured to be installed in a structure wherein the collection member includes a bottom surface that is tapered in shape and oriented to direct fluids to a single location.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a urinal system that is configured to provide installation of multiple urinals and operably couple the multiple urinals to a single drain pipe member wherein the urinal member further includes a strainer member that is releasably secured within the interior volume of the urinal member.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a urinal system that is configured to be installed in a structure wherein the present invention further includes a solenoid operably coupled to the water supply providing control of water dispersal into the urinal member.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a urinal system that is configured to provide installation of multiple urinals and operably couple the multiple urinals to a single drain pipe member wherein the present invention can include an optional sewage ejection member.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a urinal system that is configured to be installed in a structure wherein the front wall of the collector member includes an opening configured to facilitate the operable coupling of the urinal member.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the present invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention, limited only by the scope of the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description and appended claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front view of the mounting panel of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the collector member of the present invention ;

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the collector member and coupling member thereof;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the collector member of the present invention; an

FIG. 5 is a front view of the collector member and cross-sectional thereof;

FIG. 6 is a rear view of the mounting member of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a front view of the mounting member of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a front view of the urinal member of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic view of collector members in an exemplary system installation having multiple urinal members.; and

FIG. 10 is a rear view of the urinal member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings submitted herewith, wherein various elements depicted therein are not necessarily drawn to scale and wherein through the views and figures like elements are referenced with identical reference numerals, there is illustrated urinal system 100 constructed according to the principles of the present invention.

An embodiment of the present invention is discussed herein with reference to the figures submitted herewith. Those skilled in the art will understand that the detailed description herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes and that it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that alternative embodiments are plausible. By way of example but not by way of limitation, those having skill in the art in light of the present teachings of the present invention will recognize a plurality of alternate and suitable approaches dependent upon the needs of the particular application to implement the functionality of any given detail described herein, beyond that of the particular implementation choices in the embodiment described herein. Various modifications and embodiments are within the scope of the present invention.

It is to be further understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular methodology, materials, uses and applications described herein, as these may vary. Furthermore, it is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must be noted that as used herein and in the claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “an element” is a reference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art. All conjunctions used are to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, the word “or” should be understood as having the definition of a logical “or” rather than that of a logical “exclusive or” unless the context clearly necessitates otherwise. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. Language that may be construed to express approximation should be so understood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

References to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “exemplary embodiments”, and the like may indicate that the embodiment(s) of the invention so described may include a particular feature, structure or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure or characteristic.

Referring in particular to the Figures submitted herewith, the urinal system 100 is configured to provide improved maintenance access to plumbing for the components thereof. Furthermore, as will be discussed herein the urinal system 100 is designed so as to reduce the quantity of drain pipes required for installation of multiple urinal members 5 that are mounted adjacent to each other. Additionally, as is further discussed herein, the urinal system 100 is configured so as to eliminate the need for flushometers to provide operation of the urinal members 5,

The urinal member 5 are manufactured from a durable material such as but not limited to porcelain. The urinal member 5 is configured to be hingedly mounted to the mounting member 10 wherein it should be understood that the mounting member 10 is located behind a wall in a bathroom in which the urinal system 100 is installed. It should be further understood within the scope of the present invention that the mounting member 10 could be located on an outside location of a wall utilizing side and top plate members. The urinal member 5 includes wall member 6 forming interior volume 7 configured to receive and direct urine into the collector member 50 further discussed herein. It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the urinal member 5 could be provided in alternate shapes and sizes and achieve the desired objective discussed herein. Urinal member 5 further includes notch 111 for a strainer retention member and further has cavity 117 in the rear thereof for sprayer connection.

The mounting member 10 is secured within a wall adjacent thereto utilizing suitable durable techniques. The mounting member 10 includes a top 11, bottom 12, sidewalls 13, 14 and front wall 15 all operably coupled to form an interior volume 16. Sidewalls 13, 14 are releasably secured to the mounting member 10 so as to facilitate removal thereof for access to the interior volume 16. The mounting member 10 is generally rectangular in shape and is manufactured from a durable rigid material such as but not limited to steel. The mounting member 10 has secured therein an upper support member 17, lower support member 18 and back cross member 118. Upper support member 17 and lower support member 18 extend across the interior volume 16 of the mounting member 10 and are manufactured from a suitable rigid material. The upper support member 17 has operably coupled thereto keeper 19 wherein the keeper 19 is configured to maintain the urinal member 5 in an upright position when mounted adjacent thereto. The keeper 19 in a preferred embodiment is manufactured from metal chain but it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the keeper 19 could be manufactured from alternate materials. The lower support member 18 has operably coupled thereto the urinal member support bracket 20 proximate the midpoint of the lower support member 18. The urinal member support bracket 20 is configured to be operably coupled with a bottom portion of the urinal member 5 wherein the urinal member support bracket 20 facilitates the tiltable movement of the urinal member 5 in order to access elements therebehind for maintenance and/or repair thereof. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the urinal member support bracket 20 could be manufactured in various shapes and sizes in order to achieve the desired objective of facilitating a tilting movement of the urinal member 5. The front wall 15 of the mounting member 10 includes opening 7 for mateable mounting of the urinal member 5. An access panel 6 is below the opening 7 and is removable to provide access to elements therebehind.

The mounting member 10 further has mounted therein solenoid 25. The solenoid 25 is a conventional solenoid valve that is operably coupled to the water supply 99. The solenoid 25 provides control of water flow to urinal spray member 26. Solenoid 125 provides water flow to the collector member spray unit 127. The solenoids 25, 125 are fluidly coupled to the urinal spray member 26 and the collector member spray unit 27 respectively. Sensor 28 is electronically coupled to solenoid 25 and provides detection of a user of the urinal system 100. Ensuing detection of a user, sensor 28 provides a signal to the solenoid 25 to provide activation of water flow to the urinal spray member 26 and/or the collector member spray unit 27. Solenoids 25, 125 are operably controlled by controller 110 wherein the controller 110 includes the necessary electronics to receive, store, transmit and manipulate data signals. Only the main mounting member includes the solenoids 25, 125 and controller 110 with additional mounting members having just a single solenoid.

The collector member 50 is operably coupled within the interior volume 16 of the mounting member 10. The collector member 50 is fluidly coupled to the urinal member 5 and provides receipt and direction of fluid waste deposited into the urinal member. The collector member 50 is manufactured from a suitable material such as but not limited to stainless steel. The collector member 50 includes a top 51, bottom 52, front wall 53, rear wall 54 and end plate members 55 all integrally formed to create an interior volume 56. Formed in the top 51 are apertures 77 for the collector member spray unit 27 facilitating water discharge into the interior volume 56. The collector member 50 is operably coupled to a conventional drain pipe and trap configuration (not illustrated herein) via drain aperture 57 formed in the bottom 52. Front wall 53 has formed thereon a urinal coupling member 60 wherein the urinal coupling member 60 provides a sealed operable connection between the urinal member 5 and the collector member 50. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the urinal coupling member 60 includes the utilization of gaskets and similar materials in order to provide a leak free coupling of the urinal member 5 to the collector member 50. It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the urinal coupling member 60 could be provided in alternate shapes and sizes.

In multiple unit installations, as diagrammatically illustrated herein in FIG. 9, the collector members 50 are operably coupled employing collector couplers 70. The collector couplers 70 are operably coupled to the ends of the collector member 50 having a hollow passage therethrough and wherein the floor thereof is sloped so as to facilitate movement of fluid towards the center collector member 50. The collector couplers 70 are secured to either end of the collector member 50 depending upon the configuration and to which side another urinal member 5 may be mounted. The collector couplers 70 provide fluid coupling of multiple collector members 50 in order to facilitate a urinal system 100 that can commonly utilize a single drain pipe for a plurality of urinal members 5. The collector couplings 70 include sloped floor member 71 that is operable to facilitate movement of fluid. It is contemplated that the present invention can be provided with alternate collector couplings 70 wherein the alternate collector couplings have a different angle of the sloped floor member 71.

The bottom 52 is tapered in form in order to provide direction of fluid to the midpoint thereof. The bottom 52 is further configured with a sloped plane that is oriented in a direction to be employed when multiple urinal members 5 are installed to create the urinal system 100 so as to direct fluid from multiple collector members 10 into a single collector member 50 for evacuation of fluid utilizing a single drain pipe. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the urinal system 100 could have a single urinal member 5 and the operably coupled elements discussed herein or have multiple urinal members 5.

In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.