Combined Toilet and Urinal Device

Abstract

A toilet accessory has splash guards that may be selectively opened or closed. When opened the splash guards provide lateral and frontal protection. A flush system can be employed to clean the splash guard after use. The assembly can be included as part of a conventional toilet or can be provided in portable, disposable versions.

1 . A toilet seat assembly for use with a toilet, said toilet of the type having a toilet bowl with an upper rim defining a toilet bowl opening and a flush mechanism to control the introduction of water to said bowl, said toilet seat assembly comprising:
 a toilet seat positioned above said rim and pivotally movable from a lowered position to a raised position with respect to said rim,   said toilet seat having a relatively large central opening providing access to said toilet bowl;   a splash guard base having an upper surface and a lower surface,   said splash guard base positioned above said toilet seat,   said base pivotally movable from a lowered position to a raised position with respect to said rim and having a relatively large central opening substantially registering with said toilet seat central opening when said base is pivoted toward said rim;   a splash guard lid positioned above said base and pivotally movable from a lowered position to a raised position with respect to said rim,   said lid having an upper surface and a lower surface;   first and second lateral splash guard panels,   said first panel and said second panel positioned opposite one another and on either side of said base opening,   each said panel having an upper edge and a lower edge,   each said upper edge attached to said splash guard lid lower surface,   each said lower edge attached to said base upper surface,   each said panel folding to a closed position when said lid is pivoted toward said base,   each said panel unfolding to an open position when said lid is pivoted away from said base,   said panels and said lower lid surface defining a liquid-impervious shield when said panels are in said open position.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1  wherein each said panel comprises an upper triangular pleat, a lower triangular pleat and a plurality of intermediate fan-folded triangular pleats extending from said upper pleat to said lower pleat,
 said upper pleats attached to said lid lower surface,   said lower pleats attached to said base upper surface, whereby said pleats unfold when said lid is pivoted away from said base and said pleats fold when said lid is pivoted toward said base.   
   
   
       3 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1  wherein said lid further comprises a drop panel,
 said drop panel coextensive with said lid lower surface and extending through said base central opening and toward said bowl when said base is in said lowered position.   
   
   
       4 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1  wherein said assembly further comprises:
 means for flushing said shield,   said flushing means comprising at least one supply line for flushing liquid;   at least one flush nozzle liquid-tightly attached to said at least one supply line,   said at least one flush nozzle positioned to direct said flushing liquid into contact with at least a portion of said shield.   
   
   
       5 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 4  wherein said at least one supply line is attached to said lower surface of said base. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 4  wherein said lower surface of said base further comprises a groove,
 said at least one supply line secured within said groove.   
   
   
       7 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 4  wherein said at least one supply line comprises a liquid-tight bore formed in said base. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 4  wherein said at least one supply line is attached to said flush mechanism whereby flushing liquid is directed to said supply line when said toilet is flushed. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 8  wherein said flushing means further comprises means for preventing flow of said flushing liquid through said supply line when said base is in said raised position. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 9  wherein said flow preventing means comprises a valve positioned on said supply line intermediate said flush mechanism and said at least one flush nozzle. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 4  wherein said flushing means comprises two said supply lines,
 each said supply line attached to said base,   each said supply line having at least one flush nozzle liquid-tightly attached thereto,   said flush nozzles positioned to direct said flushing liquid into contact with said shield.   
   
   
       12 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 11  wherein said flushing means further comprises a flushing liquid feeder line having first and second ends,
 said first feeder line end attached to said flush mechanism;   a tee connector,   said second feeder line end liquid-tightly attached to said tee connector,   said first and second supply lines attached to said tee connector whereby flushing liquid is directed to said supply lines via said feeder line by said flush mechanism when said toilet is flushed.   
   
   
       13 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 12  wherein said flushing means further comprises means for preventing flow of said flushing liquid through said feeder line when said base is in said raised position. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 13  wherein said flow preventing means comprises a valve positioned on said feeder line intermediate said flush mechanism and said tee connector. 
   
   
       15 . A toilet accessory for use with a toilet of the type having an upper rim defining a toilet opening, said accessory comprising:
 a splash guard base having an upper surface and a lower surface,   said base having a relatively large central opening substantially registering with said toilet bowl opening when said accessory is placed on said toilet;   a splash guard lid positioned above and pivotally associated with said base and pivotally movable from a lowered position to a raised position with respect to said base,   said lid having an upper surface and a lower surface;   first and second lateral splash guard panels,   said first panel and said second panel positioned opposite one another and on either side of said base opening,   each said panel having an upper edge and a lower edge,   each said upper edge attached to said lid lower surface,   each said lower edge attached to said base upper surface,   each said panel folding to a closed position when said lid is pivoted toward said base,   each said panel unfolding to an open position when said lid is pivoted away from said base,   said panels and said lower lid surface defining a liquid-impervious shield when said panels are in said open position.   
   
   
       16 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 15  wherein each said panel comprises an upper triangular pleat, a lower triangular pleat and a plurality of intermediate fan-folded triangular pleats extending from said upper pleat to said lower pleat,
 said upper pleats attached to said lid lower surface,   said lower pleats attached to said base upper surface, whereby said pleats unfold when said lid is pivoted away from said base and said pleats fold when said lid is pivoted toward said base.   
   
   
       17 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 16  wherein said lid further comprises a drop panel,
 said drop panel coextensive with said lid lower surface and extending through said base central opening and toward said toilet bowl when said accessory is placed on said toilet.   
   
   
       18 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 15  wherein said assembly further comprises:
 means for flushing said shield,   said flushing means comprising at least one supply line for flushing liquid;   at least one flush nozzle liquid-tightly attached to said at least one supply line,   said at least one flush nozzle positioned to direct said flushing liquid into contact with at least a portion of said shield.   
   
   
       19 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 18  wherein said at least one supply line is attached to said lower surface of said base. 
   
   
       20 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 18  wherein said at least one supply line is attached to a flush mechanism whereby flushing liquid is directed to said supply line when said toilet is flushed. 
   
   
       21 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 20  wherein said flush mechanism is part of said toilet. 
   
   
       22 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 20  wherein said flushing means further comprises means for preventing flow of said flushing liquid through said supply line when said base is in said raised position. 
   
   
       23 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 22  wherein said flow preventing means comprises a valve positioned on said supply line intermediate said flush mechanism and said at least one flush nozzle. 
   
   
       24 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 18  wherein said flushing means comprises two said supply lines,
 each said line attached to said base,   each said supply line having at least one flush nozzle liquid-tightly attached thereto,   said flush nozzles positioned to direct said flushing liquid into contact with a substantial portion of said shield.   
   
   
       25 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 24  wherein said flushing means further comprises a flushing liquid feeder line having first and second ends,
 said first feeder line end attached to said flush mechanism;   a tee connector,   said second feeder line end liquid-tightly attached to said supply lines at said tee connector,   whereby flushing liquid is directed to said supply lines via said feeder line by said flush mechanism when said toilet is flushed.   
   
   
       26 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 25  wherein said flushing means further comprises means for preventing flow of said flushing liquid through said feeder line when said base is in said raised position. 
   
   
       27 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 26  wherein said flow preventing means comprises a valve positioned on said feeder line intermediate said flush mechanism and said tee connector. 
   
   
       28 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 16  wherein said accessory is manufactured from biodegradable or recyclable materials. 
   
   
       29 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 16  wherein said accessory further comprises a toilet seat cover,
 said cover having a relatively large central opening substantially registering with said toilet bowl opening when said accessory is placed on said toilet,   said cover positioned beneath and pivotally attached to said base.