Patent application title: TOILET PROVIDED WITH URINE SPLASH PREVENTION APPARATUS
Inventors:
Hyun Duk Uhm (Seoul, KR)
Hyun Duk Uhm (Seoul, KR)
Hyun Duk Uhm (Yangcheon-Gu Seoul, KR)
IPC8 Class: AE03D900FI
USPC Class:
43003
Class name: Baths, closets, sinks, and spittoons flush closet with splash guard or water baffle
Publication date: 2015-02-12
Patent application number: 20150040303
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a toilet provided with a urine splash
prevention apparatus, for preventing urine or water from splashing out of
a toilet when a user urinates in front of the toilet while standing. The
toilet, which has a toilet main body (20) for having a predetermined
level of water filled therein and temporarily storing excreta and a seat
(32) hinge-coupled to an upper side of the toilet main body (20) and
capable of rotating, comprises: a guide frame (110) both ends of which
are elastically supported upward and hinge-coupled to an upper part of
the toilet main body (20), and which is positioned in a rotatable radius
of the seat (32), interlocked with the rotating operation of the seat
(32), and vertically rotatable; and a shield (120) fixed to the guide
frame (110), for covering the area between the guide frame (110) and the
toilet main body (20). Accordingly, the present invention can prevent
urine from splashing out of the toilet when a user urinates and thus can
maintain the surrounding environment clean.Claims:
1. A toilet equipped with a urine splash prevention apparatus, the toilet
having a toilet main body configured such that toilet water is stored to
a specific level and excreta is temporarily stored, and a seat hinged at
one side of a top of the toilet main body and provided to be rotatable,
the toilet comprising: a guide frame elastically and upwardly supported
on and hinged at the top of the toilet main body at both ends thereof,
located within a radius across which the seat can be rotated, and
configured to be rotated upward and downward while operating in
conjunction with rotation of the seat; and a guard screen fastened to the
guide frame, and configured to cover a space between the guide frame and
the toilet main body.
2. A toilet equipped with a urine splash prevention apparatus, the toilet having a toilet main body configured such that toilet water is stored to a specific level and excreta is temporarily stored, and a seat hinged at one side of a top of the toilet main body and provided to be rotatable, the toilet comprising: a guide frame elastically and upwardly supported on and hinged at the top of the toilet main body at both ends thereof; a guard screen fastened to the guide frame, and configured to cover a space between the guide frame and the toilet main body; and an auxiliary strip fastened to the guide frame at both side ends thereof in a transverse direction, located within a radius across which the seat can be rotated, and configured to rotate the guide frame upward and downward while operating in conjunction with rotation manipulation of the seat.
3. A toilet equipped with a urine splash prevention apparatus, the toilet having a toilet main body configured such that toilet water is stored to a specific level and excreta is temporarily stored, and a seat hinged at one side of a top of the toilet main body and provided to be rotatable, the toilet comprising: a guide frame elastically and upwardly supported on and hinged at the top of the toilet main body at both ends thereof, located within a radius across which the seat can be rotated, and configured to be rotated upward and downward while operating in conjunction with rotation of the seat; a guard screen fastened to the guide frame, and configured to cover a space between the guide frame and the toilet main body; a manipulation pedal located near a lower portion of one side of the toilet main body, and configured to perform rotation manipulation of the guide frame; and a manipulation force transmission unit configured to transfer manipulation force of the manipulation pedal to the guide frame and thus raise and lower the guide frame.
4. The toilet of claim 1, wherein the guard screen is provided with a plurality of wedge-shaped fastening ends configured to have a specific length, and fastening holes configured to allow the respective fastening ends to be inserted thereto, on an upper end portion of the guard screen fastened to the guide frame.
5. The toilet of claim 1, wherein the guard screen has wrinkles along a folded direction.
6. The toilet of claim 1, wherein a plurality of weighty weights is added to a lower end of the guard screen.
7. A toilet equipped with a urine splash prevention apparatus, the toilet having a toilet main body configured such that toilet water is stored to a specific level and excreta is temporarily stored, and a seat hinged at one side of a top of the toilet main body and provided to be rotatable, the toilet comprising: a guard plate located to surround a front end portion of the toilet main body, and provided to be raised above the toilet main body and to be lowered; two or more guide members assembled along with the guard plate to guide the guard plate along upward raising and downward lowering directions; elastic support members provided around the guide members to elastically support the guard plate upward; and an auxiliary strip fastened to the guard plate at both side ends thereof in a transverse direction, located within a radius across which the seat can be rotated, and configured to enable the guard plate to be moved upward and downward while operating in conjunction with rotation manipulation of the seat.
8. A toilet equipped with a urine splash prevention apparatus, the toilet having a toilet main body configured such that toilet water is stored to a specific level and excreta is temporarily stored, and a seat hinged at one side of a top of the toilet main body and provided to be rotatable, the toilet comprising: a guard plate located to surround a front end portion of the toilet main body, and provided to be raised above the toilet main body and to be lowered; a manipulation pedal located near a lower portion of one side of the toilet main body, and configured to selectively raise and lower the guard plate; and a manipulation force transmission unit configured to transfer manipulation force of the manipulation pedal to the guard plate and thus selectively raise and lower the guard plate.
9. The toilet of claim 8, wherein the manipulation force transmission unit comprises: a base plate located at a lower end portion of the toilet main body; two or more rotation links configured such that both ends of the rotation links are rotatably assembled along with the base plate and a guard plate, respectively, at least one of the rotation links being connected to the manipulation pedal; and an elastic element configured to elastically support the rotation links.
10. The toilet of claim 2, wherein the guard screen is provided with a plurality of wedge-shaped fastening ends configured to have a specific length, and fastening holes configured to allow the respective fastening ends to be inserted thereto, on an upper end portion of the guard screen fastened to the guide frame.
11. The toilet of claim 3, wherein the guard screen is provided with a plurality of wedge-shaped fastening ends configured to have a specific length, and fastening holes configured to allow the respective fastening ends to be inserted thereto, on an upper end portion of the guard screen fastened to the guide frame.
12. The toilet of claim 2, wherein the guard screen has wrinkles along a folded direction.
13. The toilet of claim 3, wherein the guard screen has wrinkles along a folded direction.
14. The toilet of claim 2, wherein a plurality of weighty weights is added to a lower end of the guard screen.
15. The toilet of claim 3, wherein a plurality of weighty weights is added to a lower end of the guard screen.
Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates, in general, to a toilet equipped with a urine splash prevention apparatus and, more particularly, to a toilet equipped with a urine splash prevention apparatus, which is capable of preventing urine from splashing out of a toilet when urinating while standing in front of the toilet.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] In general, toilets include a toilet main body configured such that toilet water is stored to a specific level and excreta is temporarily stored, and a seat hinged at one side of the top of the toilet main body and provided to be rotatable. When males urinate, they urinate while standing in front of the toilet main body after raising the seat upward. During this process, urine splashes back from toilet water stored in the toilet main body, so that the shins, the knees or pants are contaminated and an odor is generated, and thus an unpleasant feeling may be given to a user.
[0003] In order to mitigate this problem, a urine splash prevention apparatus capable of preventing urine from splashing out of a toilet has been proposed. For example, Korean Utility Model Registration No. 20-0426389 (date of registration: Sep. 6, 2006) proposes a toilet equipped with an auxiliary urine splash prevention mechanism.
[0004] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a toilet equipped with an auxiliary urine splash prevention mechanism according to a conventional technology.
[0005] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the registered utility model is installed between a toilet main body 20 and a seat 32 in a flush toilet A including a water tank 10 configured to store a specific amount of water, a toilet main body 20 configured to temporarily store excreta, and a seat 32 hinged at one side of the top of the toilet main body 20 to be rotatable. The registered utility model includes an integrated auxiliary urine splash prevention mechanism 40 configured such that an upper urine inlet 40a and a lower outlet 40b communicate with each other through an internal path, and a connection means 50 configured to connect the auxiliary mechanism 40 with the seat 32. In response to the rotation operation of the seat 32, the auxiliary mechanism 40 is selectively raised and lowered above and below the toilet main body 20.
[0006] The back of the body 41 of the auxiliary mechanism 40 is formed of a net 42 and is thus configured to allow urine to be absorbed or passed therethrough, and prevents urine from splashing to the outside.
[0007] Reference symbol 60 denotes a toilet cover that is provided above the seat 32 and can be separately rotated.
[0008] However, the above-described conventional auxiliary urine splash prevention mechanism has a low urine splash prevention effect because the front portion thereof through which splashes may be relatively frequently generated is low, and is difficult to normally operate because the auxiliary mechanism 40 and the seat are connected by only a single connection means and the auxiliary mechanism 40 is tilted due to its laterally asymmetric structure.
[0009] In particular, the auxiliary mechanism 40 is configured such that the lower end portion thereof is immerged into toilet water and then inserted into the inner side 21 of the toilet main body 20, and thus the conventional auxiliary urine splash prevention mechanism is problematic in that substances, such as excrement, are caught in the lower end portion of the auxiliary mechanism 40 immerged into the toilet water and residues are present, thereby causing insanitation and also generating an odor.
[0010] Meanwhile, in order to mitigate urine splashes out of a toilet, a toilet main body may be fabricated to have a larger height. However, this case is problematic in that a position in which a user sits on a flush toilet is uncomfortable because the height of the toilet is larger than that of the shins and in that excrement filth splashes are intensified because a drop height is large upon defecating.
DISCLOSURE
Technical Problem
[0011] Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a toilet equipped with a urine splash prevention apparatus, which is capable of preventing urine from splashing without causing inconvenience, even when urinating while standing, without a change in the structure of a conventional toilet.
Technical Solution
[0012] In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provides a toilet equipped with a urine splash prevention apparatus, the toilet having a toilet main body configured such that toilet water is stored to a specific level and excreta is temporarily stored, and a seat hinged at one side of a top of the toilet main body and provided to be rotatable, the toilet including a guide frame elastically and upwardly supported on and hinged at the top of the toilet main body at both ends thereof, located within a radius across which the seat can be rotated, and configured to be rotated upward and downward while operating in conjunction with rotation of the seat; and a guard screen fastened to the guide frame, and configured to cover a space between the guide frame and the toilet main body.
[0013] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a toilet equipped with a urine splash prevention apparatus, the toilet having a toilet main body configured such that toilet water is stored to a specific level and excreta is temporarily stored, and a seat hinged at one side of a top of the toilet main body and provided to be rotatable, the toilet including a guide frame elastically and upwardly supported on and hinged at the top of the toilet main body at both ends thereof; a guard screen fastened to the guide frame, and configured to cover a space between the guide frame and the toilet main body; and an auxiliary strip fastened to the guide frame at both side ends thereof in a transverse direction, located within a radius across which the seat can be rotated, and configured to rotate the guide frame upward and downward while operating in conjunction with rotation manipulation of the seat.
[0014] In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a toilet equipped with a urine splash prevention apparatus, the toilet having a toilet main body configured such that toilet water is stored to a specific level and excreta is temporarily stored, and a seat hinged at one side of a top of the toilet main body and provided to be rotatable, the toilet including a guide frame elastically and upwardly supported on and hinged at the top of the toilet main body at both ends thereof, located within a radius across which the seat can be rotated, and configured to be rotated upward and downward while operating in conjunction with rotation of the seat; a guard screen fastened to the guide frame, and configured to cover a space between the guide frame and the toilet main body; a manipulation pedal located near a lower portion of one side of the toilet main body, and configured to perform rotation manipulation of the guide frame; and a manipulation force transmission unit configured to transfer manipulation force of the manipulation pedal to the guide frame and thus raise and lower the guide frame.
[0015] Preferably, in the present invention, the guard screen is provided with a plurality of wedge-shaped fastening ends configured to have a specific length, and fastening holes configured to allow the respective fastening ends to be inserted thereto, on an upper end portion of the guard screen fastened to the guide frame.
[0016] Preferably, in the present invention, the guard screen has wrinkles along a folded direction.
[0017] In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a toilet equipped with a urine splash prevention apparatus, the toilet having a toilet main body configured such that toilet water is stored to a specific level and excreta is temporarily stored, and a seat hinged at one side of a top of the toilet main body and provided to be rotatable, the toilet including a guard plate located to surround a front end portion of the toilet main body, and provided to be raised above the toilet main body and to be lowered; two or more guide members assembled along with the guard plate to guide the guard plate along upward raising and downward lowering directions; elastic support members provided around the guide members to elastically support the guard plate upward; and an auxiliary strip fastened to the guard plate at both side ends thereof in a transverse direction, located within a radius across which the seat can be rotated, and configured to enable the guard plate to be moved upward and downward while operating in conjunction with rotation manipulation of the seat.
[0018] In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a toilet equipped with a urine splash prevention apparatus, the toilet having a toilet main body configured such that toilet water is stored to a specific level and excreta is temporarily stored, and a seat hinged at one side of a top of the toilet main body and provided to be rotatable, the toilet including a guard plate located to surround a front end portion of the toilet main body, and provided to be raised above the toilet main body and to be lowered; a manipulation pedal located near a lower portion of one side of the toilet main body, and configured to selectively raise and lower the guard plate; and a manipulation force transmission unit configured to transfer manipulation force of the manipulation pedal to the guard plate and thus selectively raise and lower the guard plate.
[0019] Preferably, in the present invention, the manipulation force transmission unit includes a base plate located at a lower end portion of the toilet main body; two or more rotation links configured such that both ends of the rotation links are rotatably assembled along with the base plate and a guard plate, respectively, at least one of the rotation links being connected to the manipulation pedal; and an elastic element configured to elastically support the rotation links.
Advantageous Effects
[0020] The toilet equipped with a urine splash prevention apparatus according to the present invention has the advantages of preventing surroundings from being contaminated by urine splashes from the toilet or an odor from being generated by the urine splashes because the toilet is capable of preventing urine from splashing without causing inconvenience, even when urinating while standing, without a change in the structure of a conventional toilet.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0021] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a toilet equipped with an auxiliary urine splash prevention mechanism according to a conventional technology;
[0022] FIGS. 2 and 3 are diagrams illustrating a preferred first embodiment of a toilet equipped with a urine splash prevention apparatus according to the present invention;
[0023] FIGS. 4 and 5 are diagrams illustrating a modification of a guard screen in a toilet equipped with a urine splash prevention apparatus according to the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating another modification of a guard screen in a toilet equipped with a urine splash prevention apparatus according to the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a preferred second embodiment of a toilet equipped with a urine splash prevention apparatus according to the present invention;
[0026] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a preferred third embodiment of a toilet equipped with a urine splash prevention apparatus according to the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a preferred fourth embodiment of a toilet equipped with a urine splash prevention apparatus according to the present invention;
[0028] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a preferred fifth embodiment of a toilet equipped with a urine splash prevention apparatus according to the present invention; and
[0029] FIGS. 11 and 12 are diagrams illustrating another modification of a manipulation force transmission unit in a toilet equipped with a urine splash prevention apparatus according to the present invention.
TABLE-US-00001
[0030] [Description of Reference Symbols] 20: toilet main body 32: seat 110, 210, 410: guide frame 120, 120A, 120B, 210, 420: guard screen 112, 211, 432, 522, 542a: hinge bracket 113, 212, 411: torsion spring 121: fastening end 122: fastening hole 123: depression 124: weight 230, 340: auxiliary strip 310, 510: guard plate 320: guide member 311, 511: fastening bracket 321, 431, 521, 541: base plate 330: elastic support member 332, 434, 524, 544: support leg 430, 520: manipulation pedal 433, 523, 543: spring 440: wire 530, 540: manipulation force transmission unit 531: lever 532: guide rod 542: rotation link 543: elastic element
BEST MODE
[0031] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
First Embodiment
[0032] Referring to FIG. 2, the toilet of the present invention including a toilet main body 20 and a seat 32 hinged at and rotatably provided on one side of the top of the toilet main body 20 are the same as those of the conventional technology, and thus detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.
[0033] A urine splash prevention apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention may be provided by a guide frame 110 elastically supported on and hinged at the top of the toilet main body 20, and a guard screen 120 fastened to the guide frame 110 and configured to cover a space between the guide frame 110 and the toilet main body 20.
[0034] A wire having an arcuate shape may be used as the guide frame 110. Both ends 111 of the guide frame 110 are rotatably assembled along with hinge brackets 112, and the hinge brackets 112 may be fastened onto the top surface of the toilet main body 20 using double-sided tape or glue or using sideways "U"-shaped clips.
[0035] The hinge brackets 112 are provided with torsion springs 113, and these torsion springs 113 elastically support the guide frame 110 upward. The guide frame 110 is elastically supported by the torsion springs 113 upward, and thus is located at a specific angle of inclination with respect to the toilet main body 20 (at a urine splash prevention location) when there is no external force.
[0036] Although the size and shape of the guide frame 110 are not specially limited, the size of the guide frame 110 is preferably smaller than a radius across which the seat 32 can be rotated, and accordingly the guide frame 110 can be rotated upward and downward in conjunction with the rotation manipulation of the seat 32.
[0037] The upper end of the guard screen 120 is fastened along the guide frame 110. The guard screen 120 provided as described above covers a space between the guide frame 110 and the toilet main body 20, thereby preventing urine from splashing out of the toilet main body 20.
[0038] Although a waterproof fabric or the like may be used as the guard screen 120, the guard screen 120 is not limited to a specific material.
[0039] Meanwhile, the length of the guard screen 120 is appropriately determined within a range in which the space between the guide frame 110 and the toilet main body 20 can be covered. Preferably, it is sufficient if the lower end of the guard screen 120 is hung on the top of the toilet main body 20. It is preferable to prevent the guard screen 120 from being put into the toilet water of the toilet main body 20.
[0040] A plurality of weighty weights 124 may be further fastened to the lower end of the guard screen 120. Since the guard screen 120 is always maintained in a spread state outside the toilet main body 20 thanks to the weight of the weights 124 at the lower end of the guard screen 120, it is possible to prevent a space from being generated because of the guard screen being crumpled or folded during the upward or downward operation of the guide frame 110. In particular, it is possible to prevent the guard screen from being caught by the upper protrusion of the toilet main body and then not being lowered during the lowering of the guard screen in a crumpled state.
[0041] As illustrated in FIG. 3, when the seat 32 is lowered, the guide frame 110 having a size smaller than that of the seat 32 is lowered alongside the seat 32 while the guard screen 120 is being folded, and accordingly a user is not interfered with by the guide frame 110 or guard screen 120 even when sitting on the seat 32.
[0042] FIG. 4(a) is a diagram illustrating a modification of a guard screen in a toilet equipped with a urine splash prevention apparatus according to the present invention. The guard screen 120A may be provided with a plurality of wedge-shaped fastening ends 121 having a specific length, and fastening holes 122 allowing the respective fastening ends 121 to be inserted thereto, on the upper end portion of the guard screen 120A fastened to the guide frame.
[0043] As illustrated in FIG. 4(b), the guard screen 120A may be fastened by winding the fastening ends 121 around the guide frame 110 and inserting them into the fastening holes 122.
[0044] In FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b), reference symbol 123 denotes a deep depression formed in part of the guide frame and the guard screen. This depression 123 is intended to prevent inconvenience from occurring because of the considerable height of the guide frame when a short child uses the toilet.
[0045] FIG. 5 illustrates a toilet to which a guard screen according to a modification of the present invention has been applied.
[0046] The guard screen 120A is fastened to the guide frame 110 by the wedge-shaped fastening ends 121 on the upper end thereof, and thus the attachment and detachment of the guard screen 120A are facilitated, thereby making the replacement and cleaning of the guard screen convenient and also enabling sanitary management.
[0047] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating another modification of the guard screen in a toilet equipped with a urine splash prevention apparatus according to the present invention. A guard screen 120B may be wrinkled in a folded direction, and may be folded along wrinkles in a process in which the seat 32 is lowered and the guard screen 120B is folded.
Second Embodiment
[0048] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a preferred second embodiment of a toilet equipped with a urine splash prevention apparatus according to the present invention.
[0049] Referring to FIG. 7, the urine splash prevention apparatus according to this embodiment may include a guide frame 210 elastically supported on and hinged at the top of the toilet main body 20 at both ends thereof; a guard screen 220 fastened to the guide frame 210, and configured to cover a space between the guide frame 210 and the toilet main body; and an auxiliary strip 230 fastened to the guide frame 210 in a transverse direction, and configured to rotate the guide frame 210 upward and downward while operating in conjunction with the rotation manipulation of the seat 32.
[0050] In this embodiment, both ends of the guide frame 210 are rotatably assembled along with hinge brackets 211, and the hinge brackets 211 may be fastened onto two sides of the top surface of the toilet main body 20 using double-sided tape or glue or using sideways "U"-shaped clips.
[0051] The hinge brackets 211 are provided with torsion springs 212, and the overall guide frame 210 is elastically supported upward.
[0052] Since the guard screen 220 is the same as that described in connection with the first embodiment, a redundant description thereof is omitted.
[0053] The auxiliary strip 230 is fastened to the guide frame 210 at both side ends thereof in a transverse direction, is located within a radius across which the seat 23 can be rotated, and rotates the guide frame 210 upward and downward while operating in conjunction with the rotation manipulation of the seat 23.
[0054] Accordingly, in the second embodiment of the present invention, when the seat 23 is lowered, the auxiliary strip 230 is pushed by the seat 23 and thus allows the guide frame 210 to be lowered without the limitation of the size or shape of the guide frame itself, unlike in the first embodiment.
Third Embodiment
[0055] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a preferred third embodiment of a toilet equipped with a urine splash prevention apparatus according to the present invention.
[0056] Referring to FIG. 8, the toilet according to the third embodiment of the present invention includes a guard plate 310 located to surround the front end portion of a toilet main body 20, and provided to be raised above the toilet main body 20 and to be lowered; two or more guide members 320 assembled along with the guard plate 310 to guide the guard plate 310 along upward raising and downward lowering directions; elastic support members 330 provided around the guide members 320 to elastically support the guard plate 310 upward; and an auxiliary strip 340 fastened to the guard plate 310 at both side ends thereof in a transverse direction, located within a radius across which the seat 32 can be rotated, and configured to enable the guard plate 310 to be moved upward and downward while operating in conjunction with the rotation manipulation of the seat 32.
[0057] The guard plate 310 has an approximate "U" cross-sectional shape to surround the front end portion of the toilet main body 20, and prevents urine from splashing out of the toilet main body 20 at an upper end location (a urine splash prevention location).
[0058] The guide members 320 include a plurality of guide members to guide the guard plate 310 in upward and downward directions. Preferably, the guide members 320 are installed in a direction vertical to a base plate 321. The guard plate 310 is provided with fastening brackets 311, and may be moved upward and downward along the guide members 320 by the aid of the fastening brackets 311.
[0059] A plurality of support legs 332 may be mounted onto the base plate 321 in a threaded manner, and the height or horizontality of the base plate 321 may be adjusted by rotating the support legs 332.
[0060] The elastic support members 330 are placed around the respective guide members 320 and elastically support the fastening brackets 311 upward. Accordingly, the guard plate 310 is elastically supported by the elastic support members 330, and is located above the upper end of the toilet main body 20, thus being placed at a urine splash prevention location.
[0061] The auxiliary strip 340 is fastened to the guard plate 310 at both side ends thereof in a transverse direction, is located within a radius across which the seat 32 can be rotated, and enables the guard plate 310 to be moved upward and downward while operating in conjunction with the rotation manipulation of the seat 32.
[0062] In the toilet according to this embodiment, configured as described above, the guard plate 310 is located above the toilet main body 20 by elastic force in the state in which the seat 32 has been tilted upward, thereby preventing urine splashes. When the seat 32 is lowered, the seat 32 is lowered along with the guard plate 310 by the aid of the auxiliary strip 340, and thus a user is not interfered with by the guard plate 310 even when the user sits on the seat 32.
Fourth Embodiment
[0063] Referring to FIG. 9, a toilet according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention includes a guide frame 410 elastically and upwardly supported on and hinged at the top of a toilet main body 20 at both ends thereof; a guard screen 420 fastened to the guide frame 410, and configured to cover a space between the guide frame 310 and the toilet main body 20; a manipulation pedal 430 located near a lower portion of one side of the toilet main body 20, and configured to perform the rotation manipulation of the guide frame 410; and a manipulation force transmission unit configured to transfer the manipulation force of the manipulation pedal 430 to the guide frame 410 and thus raise and lower the guide frame 410.
[0064] Since the guide frame 410 and guard screen 420 of this embodiment are substantially the same as those of the first or second embodiment, redundant descriptions are omitted in the description of this embodiment.
[0065] The manipulation pedal 430 selectively raises and lowers the guide frame 410 by rotating the guide frame 410, and is hinged at a hinge bracket 432 fastened onto the top of a base plate 431.
[0066] In this embodiment, the location of the manipulation pedal may be any location near the toilet main body 20 within a range in which a user can conveniently manipulate the manipulation pedal using a foot.
[0067] The manipulation pedal 430 is provided with a spring 433, and may provide restoration force so that the manipulation pedal 430 can be returned to its original location when external force is not applied after the manipulation of the manipulation pedal 430.
[0068] Furthermore, as also described in conjunction with the preceding embodiments, a plurality of support legs 434 may be mounted onto the bottom of a base plate 431 in a threaded manner, and the height or horizontality of the base plate 431 may be adjusted by rotating the support legs 434.
[0069] The manipulation force transmission unit functions to transfer the manipulation force of the manipulation pedal 430 to the guide frame 410 and selectively raise or lower the guide frame 410 by rotating the guide frame 410.
[0070] More specifically, the manipulation force transmission unit may be provided in the form of a wire 440 or a cord that connects the manipulation pedal 430 with the guide frame 410. Meanwhile, a well-known pulley may be used to change the direction of the manipulation force transferred by the wire.
[0071] In the urine splash prevention apparatus according to this embodiment, configured as described above, when a user steps on the manipulation pedal 430, the spring 433 is extended and the wire 440 is released, and thus the guard screen 420 is moved upward by a torsion spring 411 that elastically supports the guide frame 410, thereby preventing urine from splashing to surroundings while urinating. When the manipulation pedal 430 is released after the completion of use, the manipulation pedal 430 is returned to its original location by the restoration force of the spring 433 having higher elastic force than the torsion spring 411 and, at the same time, pulls the guide frame 410 downward, and thus the guard screen 420 is lowered downward.
Fifth Embodiment
[0072] Referring to FIG. 10, a toilet according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention includes a guard plate 510 located to surround the front end portion of a toilet main body 20, and provided to be raised above the toilet main body 20 and be lowered; a manipulation pedal 520 located near a lower portion of one side of the toilet main body 20, and configured to selectively raise and lower the guard plate 510; and a manipulation force transmission unit 530 configured to transfer the manipulation force of the manipulation pedal 520 to the guard plate 510 and thus selectively raise and lower the guard plate 510.
[0073] The guard plate 510 has an approximate "U" cross-sectional shape to surround the front end portion of the toilet main body 20, and prevents urine from splashing out of the toilet main body 20 at an upper end location (a urine splash prevention location).
[0074] The manipulation pedal 520 selectively raises and lowers the guard plate 510, and is hinged at a hinge bracket 522, fastened onto the top of a base plate 521, along with the manipulation force transmission unit 530.
[0075] As described above, the location of the manipulation pedal may be any location near the toilet main body 20 within a range in which a user can conveniently manipulate the manipulation pedal using a foot.
[0076] The manipulation pedal 520 is provided with a spring 523, and may provide restoration force so that the manipulation pedal 430 can be returned to its original location when external force is not applied after the manipulation of the manipulation pedal 430.
[0077] A plurality of support legs 524 may be mounted onto the base plate 521 in a threaded manner, and the height or horizontality of the base plate 521 may be adjusted by rotating the support legs 524.
[0078] The manipulation force transmission unit 530 functions to transfer the manipulation force of the manipulation pedal 520 to the guard plate 510 and selectively raise or lower the guard plate 510.
[0079] More specifically, the manipulation force transmission unit 530 may be provided by a lever 531 fastened to the manipulation pedal 520 and configured such that the upper end thereof comes into contact with the lower end of the guard plate 510, and a plurality of guide rods 532 configured to guide the guard plate 510 during the raising and lowering thereof. The guard plate 510 may be provided with fastening brackets 511 to allow assembly along with the guide rods 532.
[0080] In the urine splash prevention apparatus according to this embodiment, configured as described above, when a user steps on the manipulation pedal 520, the lever 531 connected to the manipulation pedal 520 pushes the guard plate 510 upward and thus the guard plate 510 is moved upward, thereby preventing urine from splashing to surroundings while urinating. When the use takes the foot off the manipulation pedal 430 after the completion of use, the guard plate 510 moves downward due to its own weight and pushes the lever 531, and thus the manipulation pedal 520 is returned to its original location. In this case, the spring 523 aids the manipulation pedal 520 in being smoothly returned to its original location.
[0081] FIGS. 11 and 12 are diagrams illustrating another modification of a manipulation force transmission unit in a toilet equipped with a urine splash prevention apparatus according to the present invention.
[0082] Referring to FIG. 11, in this embodiment, a manipulation force transmission unit 540 may be provided by a base plate 541 located at the lower end portion of a toilet main body 20; two or more rotation links 542 configured such that both ends of each of the rotation links 542 are rotatably assembled along with the base plate 541 and a guard plate 510, respectively, at least one of the rotation links 542 being connected to the manipulation pedal 520; and an elastic element 543 configured to elastically support the rotation links 542.
[0083] A plurality of support legs 544 that is located near the lower end portion of the toilet main body 20, functions to support the overall manipulation force transmission unit, and is mounted in a threaded manner, as described in conjunction with the preceding embodiments, may be mounted onto the base plate 541. The height or horizontality of the base plate 541 may be adjusted by rotating the support legs 544.
[0084] The base plate 541 may be provided with a plurality of hinge brackets 542a so that the lower ends of the rotation links 542 can be assembled along with the base plate 541.
[0085] In this embodiment, two rotation links 542 are provided on the left and right sides, respectively, and one of the two rotation links 542 is fastened to the manipulation pedal 520.
[0086] Accordingly, the guard plate 510 may be selectively raised and lowered in such a manner that the rotation links 542 are rotated around the hinge brackets 542a by the manipulation of the manipulation pedal 520.
[0087] The elastic element 543 enables the guard plate 510, together with the manipulation pedal 520, to be returned to its original location when external force is not applied to the manipulation pedal 520.
[0088] Although in this embodiment, the elastic element is illustrated as being fastened to the rotation link, the elastic element may be connected to the manipulation pedal.
[0089] In the above-described manipulation force transmission unit 540, when the guard plate 510 is not used, the guard plate 510 is located in an inner space near the lower portion of toilet main body 20, and thus the guard plate 510 does not occupy a large space.
[0090] Meanwhile, when a user steps on the manipulation pedal 520 to urinate, the rotation link 542 fixedly connected to the manipulation pedal 520 is rotated and thus the guard plate 510 is placed at an upper location (a urine splash prevention location), thereby preventing urine from splashing out of the toilet main body 20.
[0091] It will be apparent to those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains that the above-described present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and the accompanying drawings but various substitutions, modifications and variations are possible within the range that does not depart from the technical spirit of the invention.
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