US3851339A

US3851339A - Portable, self-contained toilet

Info

Publication number: US3851339A
Application number: US00408664A
Authority: US
Inventors: V Flinner; R Sprang; D Zody; H Fulton
Original assignee: Mansfield Sanitary Inc
Current assignee: Interface Inc; Nelson A Taylor Co Inc
Priority date: 1973-10-23
Filing date: 1973-10-23
Publication date: 1974-12-03
Anticipated expiration: 1991-12-03
Also published as: CA994501A

Abstract

A self-contained, portable toilet that has a seat section and a holding tank section. The seat section includes an upper rim, a lower base wall and a bowl portion extending downwardly of the rim to a drain through the base wall. At the point where the drain penetrates the base wall a socket is recessed upwardly into the base wall. A flush valve assembly is demountably secured to the holding tank section, and a thimble on the valve assembly is insertably receivable within the socket. A valve element in the form of a partial sphere is mounted in the valve assembly to control communication between the bowl portion and the interior of the holding tank section. The valve element is selectively opened and closed by rotation of a handle which is fittedly received within a recess in the toilet when the valve is closed and which requires translation outwardly of the recess before it can be rotated in order to preclude inadvertent opening of the valve. A horizontally spiraled distribution ledge circumscribes the bowl portion and receives a distributing tube having a plurality of circumferentially spaced discharged orifices for emitting flush fluid in directions and at locations most propitiously to clean the bowl.

Description

llnited States Patent [19] Winner et al.

1 Dec.3,1974

[ PORTABLE, SELF-CONTAINED TOILET [75] Inventors: Vaughn D.- Flinner, Prairie; Richard W. Sprang, Lakeville; Dana D. Zody; Howard A. Fulton, both of Perrysville, all of Ohio [73] Assignee: Mansfield Sanitary 1nc., Perrysville,

Ohio

[22] Filed: Oct. 23, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 408,664

[52] U.S. Cl 4/115, 4/10, 4/76 [51] int. Cl... A47k 11/02, E03d 5/016, A611 11/00 [58] Field of Search ..4/10,ll5, 116,111,114,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,418,664 12/1968 Carmichael et al 4/115 3,570,018 3/1971 Sargent et a1 4/115 3,577,569 5/1971 Sargent et al 4/79 3,609,772 10/1971 Howard 4/115 3,611,446 10/1971 Howard 4/115 3,713,177 l/l973 Tufts et a1 4/115 X 3,747,130 7/1973 Sargent et al 4/10 Primary Examiner-Henry K. Artis Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Hamilton, Renner & Kenner 5 7] ABSTRACT A self-contained, portable toilet that has a seat section and a holding tank section. The seat section includes an upper rim, a lower base wall and a bowl portion extending downwardly of the rim to a drain through the base wall. At the point where the drain penetrates the base wall a socket is recessed upwardly into the base wall. A flush valve assembly is demountably secured to the holding tank section, and a thimble .on the valve assembly is insertably receivable within the socket. A valve element in the form of a partial sphere is mounted in the valve assembly to control communication between the bowl portion and the interior of the holding tank section. The valve element is selectively opened and closed by rotation of a handle which is fittedly received within a recess in the toilet when the valve is closed and which requires translation outwardly of the recess before it can be rotated in order to preclude inadvertent opening of the valve. A horizontally spiraled distribution ledge circumscribes the bowl portion and receives a distributing tube having a plurality of circumferentially spaced discharged orifices for emitting flush fluid in directions and at locations most propitiously to clean the bowl.

13 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTELUEB 3W 3.851 333 SHEET 2 BF 5 bmum PATENTE; 559 31974 SHEET 5 BF 5 p l PORTABLE, SELF-CONTAINED TOILET BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to portable toilets, and particularly to portable toilets that incorporate a selfcontained flush fluid reservoir and a detachable holding tank section that is constructed to permit convenient transportation and evacuation.

We believethat one of the best prior known arrangements is that disclosed in our copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 310,557, filed on Nov. 29, 1972 and now US. Pat. No. 3,801,991. The aforesaid copending application discloses the use of a slide valve selectively to open and close the passageway between the bowl and the interior of the holding tank section. While a slide valve is wholly operative for use with a portable toilet, it has been found that a modified valve and thimble arrangement offers even greater advantages.

In order to effect a vortical flow to the flush fluid en tering the bowl of a portable toilet a host of complicated physical arrangements have heretofore been employed. It has also been found that a modified flush fluid feed arrangement can effect the vortical flow desired and also more evenly distribute the introduction of the flush fluid around the periphery of the bowl.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is the primary object of the present invention to provide a portable toilet construction which eliminates the recessed guides required by a slide valve, and within which contaminants can accumulate, and which employs a valve means that can be maintained more readily sanitary.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a portable toilet construction, as above, in which the seal of the valve means itself as well as the seal and the connection between the seat section, the valve assembly and the holding tank section is more efficiently achieved.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a portable toilet construction, as above, in which the valve means closing the passage between the bowl and the interior of the holding tank section 'isrestrained against inadvertently opening both when the seat and holding tank sections are conjoined or separated.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a portable toilet construction, as above, in which the valve means can be readily replaced in the field.

It is an even further object of the present invention to provide a portable toilet construction, as above, in which the introduction of the flush fluid can be effected in such a way as to introduce the flush fluid more uniformly around the periphery of the bowl and at the same time provide the desired vertical flow down and around the bowl.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a portable toilet construction, as above, that is even less expensive to manufacture and maintain than prior known constructions.

These and other objects, together with the advantages thereof over existing and prior art forms which will become apparent from the following specification, are accomplished by means hereinafter described and claimed.

In general, a portable toilet embodying the concept of the present invention has a seat section and a holding tank section with a valve assembly secured therebetween. The valve assembly is demountably secured to an inlet port in the holding tank section and presents a thimble which extends outwardly and upwardly away from the holding tank section.

The seat section has a bowl that converges downwardly to a drain, and the drain incorporates a socket into which the thimble on the flush valve assembly is insertably received. Clamp means are employed to secure the seat and holding tank sections together with the aforesaid thimble and socket interfitted. A such, a passageway through the thimble and housing of the flush valve assembly provides direct communication between the drain in the bowl portion of the seat section and the interior of the holding tank section.

A valve element selectively opens and closes the passageway, and the improved valve element comprises a portion of a sphere that is rotatably mounted within the valve housing. A handle is operatively connected to the spherical valve element so that rotation of the handle rotates the valve element to open and close the passageway. The handle is received within a recess in at least one of the toilet sections when the valve is closed, and the recess so embraces the handle that it cannot be rotated until it is first translated out of the confines of the recess thereby obviating inadvertent opening of the valve element. If the holding tank section presents the recess, or a portion thereof, into which the handle may be so confined, the valve cannot be inadvertently opened even when the holding tank section is being transported independently of the seat section.

The seat section has a horizontally spiraleddistribution ledge that circumscribes the bowl portion thereof, and a distribution tube directs flush fluid onto the distribution ledge by at least two discharge orifices dis posed in circumferentially spaced relation with respect to the bowl, the discharge orifices being particularly oriented to effect a relatively uniform distribution to the entry of the flush fluid into the bowl portion.

One preferred embodiment of a portable toilet embodying the concept of the present invention is shown by way of example in the accompanying drawings and described in detail without attempting to show all of the various forms and modifications in which the invention might be embodied; the invention being measured by the appended claims and not by the details of the specification.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a frontal-side perspective of a portable toilet embodying the concept of the present invention, said view being exploded toshow the seat section vertically separated from the holding tank section;

. FIG. 2 is an enlarged, vertical section taken substantially along line 2-2 of FIG. 1 and depicting the interrelationship of the flush valve assembly with both the seat and holding tank sections when those sections are conjoined and not vertically exploded as in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a further enlarged area of FIG. 2 depicting the interconnection between the flush valve assembly, the seat section and holding tank section as well as the internal mechanism of the flush valve assembly, all in vertical cross section;

FIG. 4 is a transverse section taken substantially along line 4-4 of FIG. 3 to depict the relationship of the spindle on the valve element with the extension shaft within the valve assembly guide;

FIG. 5 is a transverse section through the valve element taken substantially along line 55 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, vertical cross section through a portion of the seat section and taken substantially along line 66 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a reduced view taken substantially along line 7-7 of FIG. 6 to depict the cover ring, flush distribution ledge and a portion of the flush feed tube in top plan but broken away to depict the drop wall of the seat section and the juxtaposed locating flange of the cover ring in horizontal section; and,

FIG. 8 is an enlarged area of FIG. 7 with a portion of the flush feed tube represented in horizontal section.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT concept disclosed in the aforesaid copending application, Ser. No. 310,557 now U.S. Pat. No. 3,801,991.

Both sections may be conveniently blow molded from a durable plastic material such as high density polyethylene to provide a hollow construction. As such, the interior of the seat section 21 defines a cavity 24 (FIG. 2) that serves as a reservoir for the flush fluid. The uppermost wall of the seat section 21 constitutes a peripheral rim 25 the inner edge of which is joined to a horizontal flush fluid distribution ledge 26 (FIGS. 2, 6, 7 and 8) spaced uniformlybelow the rim 25 and joined thereto by a generally vertical drop wall 28. From the radially inner edge of the distribution ledge 26 a wall 29 converges downwardly in the general configuration of a bowl 30 and terminates at a drain 31.

From the outermost edge of the rim 25 the four exterior walls front wall 32A, side wall 328, rear wall 32C and side wall 32D slope downwardly, and, in part, moderately outwardly, in an aesthetically pleasing configuration to join the horizontal base wall 33 which extends radially inwardly and then generally upwardly from all four side walls to converge at the drain 31. In conjunction with, and concentrically of, the drain 3] an annular recess in the form of a socket 34 is directed upwardly from the base wall 33 and terminates in a horizontal ledge 35 the radially inner edge 36 of which delineates the circumference of the drain 31 and the upwardly directed surface of which constitutes that portion of the wall 29 which circumscribes the drain 31 at the lower terminus of the bowl 30. The recess 34 serves a purpose more fully hereinafter explained.

A cover ring 40 may be demountably secured to the seat section 21 by a plurality of screws 41 that engage a corresponding number of T-nuts embedded within the peripheral rim 25. The configuration of the cover ring itself as well as the configuration of the seat, lid and other components supported therefrom may conform to those disclosed in our aforesaid application Ser. No. 3l0,557 now U.S. Pat. No; 3,801,991.

The distribution ledge 26 is at its widest where the flexible flush fluid feed tube 45 passes through the offset wall 46 (FIGS. 7 and 8) which accommodates the radial discontinuity effected by the spiral configuration of the drop wall 28. As is also shown in FIGS. 7 and 8,

the cover ring 40 presents a vertically oriented, substantially spiral locating flange 44 that is frictionally received against the corresponding configuration of the drop wall 28 to position and stabilize the cover ring 40. Flange 44 similarly presents an offset wall 46A that is juxtaposed to offset wall 46 in drop wall 28. The progressive narrowing of the distribution ledge 26 resulting from the aforesaid spiral configuration of the drop wall 28 and locating flange 44 in combination with the bifurcated discharge of an improved feed tube 45 effects a more uniform cleansing of the bowl 30 with the minimum volume of flush fluid.

Specifically, the feed tube 45 comprises a conduit portion 48 leading from the flush pump 49 (schematically depicted in FIG. 6 although a preferred embodiment of which is disclosed in our aforesaid copending application, Ser. No. 310,557 now U.S. Pat. No. 3,801,99), across the reservoir cavity 24 and through the offset

walls

46 and 46A. A modest annular indentation 50 in the outer surface of the feed tube 45, and at the end of the conduit portion 48 most remote from the pump 49, is engaged by the circular edges 51 and 51A of the passageway through the offset

walls

46 and 46A, respectively, to maintain the feed tube 45 positioned with respect thereto.

An orienting portion 51B of the feed tube 45 extends for several inches beyond the indentation 50 (at preferably somewhat reduced diameter) to assure the desired disposition of the discharge. That is, the orienting portion 518 allows for a smooth transition between the inclined disposition of the conduit portion 48 of feed tube 45 as it passes through the reservoir cavity 24 and the preferably horizontal disposition desired for the discharge portion of the feed tube 45 as it lies along the distribution ledge 26.

As shown in FIG. 8, at the outer extremity of the orienting portion 51B the single passageway 52 therein (which constitutes a continuation of the same passageway within the conduit portion 48) divides into two

passageways

53 and 54. Passageway 53 is contained within a tubular portion 55 and is of approximately one-half the diameter of, and extends forwardly from, passageway 52 along an axis 56 generally parallel and offset with respect to the axis 58 of passageway 52. The tubular portion 55 extends approximately one-quarter of the way around ledge 26 and terminates in a discharge orifice 59.

Passageway 54 diverges from passageway 52 at an angle of approximately ten degrees inwardly with respect to a tangent to axis 58 which lies along the distribution ledge 26, and opens in relatively close proximity to the end of the orienting portion 51B. The passageway 54 is also approximately one-half the diameter of passageway 52 and terminates in a discharge orifice 60.

With the foregoing configuration the flush fluid eminating from discharge orifice 60 may be directed radially inwardly along the ledge 26 at an oblique angle, and the flush fluid eminating from orifice 59 may be directed circumferentially along the ledge 26. The horizontal disposition of the distribution ledge 26 allows the circumferential component of the discharge to impart a circumferentially oriented flow vector to the flush fluid. At the same time, the progressively diminishing radial dimension of the ledge 26 in combination with the radial component of the discharge from orifice 59 combines to distribute the spill over of flush fluid from ledge 26 rather uniformly around the periphery of I the bowl 30. As the flush fluid spills over the ledge 26 gravity imparts a vertical flow vector which combines with the circumferential flow vector to impart a vortical flow pattern to the flush fluid as it courses progressively downwardly and around bowl 30 to the drain 31, thereby most effectively cleaning the bowl.

Turning now to a brief consideration of the holding tank section 22, it is also a hollow construction bounded by a base wall 61, an upper wall 62 in vertically spaced, parallel relation to the base wall 61 and four exterior walls front wall 63A, side wall 63B, rear wall 63C and side wall 63D. An inlet port 64 is provided in the upper wall 62 of the tank section 22. A collar 65 circumscribes that inlet port 64 and extends inwardly from the upper wall 62. The radially innermost surface of the collar 65 presents a cylindrical sealing wall 66 at the uppermost extent thereof. At the lowermost extremity of the sealing wall 66 a section of reduced internal diameter presents thread means 68 that extend radially inwardly with respect to the cylindrical sealing wall 66. In general, the details of the holding tank section 22 may satisfactorily incorporate those of the holding tank section disclosed in our copending U.S. application Ser. No. 310,557 now U.S. Pat. No. 3,801,991.

A unique valve assembly 70 is provided to open and close the inlet port 64 in the upper wall 62 of the seat section, and the housing 71 of the valve assembly 70 cooperatively interacts with the collar 65 to permit facile mounting and demounting of the valve assembly 70. Specifically, an annular neck 72 extends downwardly from the housing 71 and is removably received within the collar 65.

The upper portion 73 of the neck 72 has an outer diameter that approximates the inner diameter of the sealing wall 66 so that engagement of the wall 66 by an O-ring 74 received within an annular groove 75 in the upper portion 73 of the neck 72 effects a gas and liquid tight seal therebetween.

The lower portion 76 of the neck 72 is of lesser diameter than the upper portion 73 and presents thread means 78 that extend radially outwardly thereof to engage the thread means 68 on collar 65. The thread means 68 and 78 are designed to effect a mounting and demounting of the valve assembly 70 in preferably less than one revolution andat the same time interact to effect a tightly wedged seal between the neck 72 and collar 65. The details of the thread construction by which this result is obtained are also disclosed in our copending application, Ser. No. 310,557 now U.S. Pat. No. 3,801,991.

The thimble portion 80 of the housing 71 extends upwardly and is removably receivable within the annularly recessed socket 34 provided in the base wall 33 of the seat section 21. In fact, the outer diameter of the thimble 80 is preferably of such dimension that it closely approximates the inner diameter of the annular recess 34. Near the upper extent of the thimble 80 an annular groove 81 is provided on the radially outer wall 82 to receive an O-ring 83 for effecting a gas and liquid seal between the thimble portion 80 and the recess 34 in the seat section 21 when the seat and holding

tank sections

21 and 22, respectively, are conjoined as assembly 20.

As best seen in FlGf3 the groove 81 may be formed between a shoulder 84 on the axially uppermost extent of the thimble and a first, radially outwardly directed flange 85 of retainer ring 86. The retainer ring 86 has a generally T-shaped cross section with the upright portion thereof comprising an axially oriented, annular skirt 88 that embraces the cylindrical wall 89 of the thimble 80 that extends axially upwardly from the base of shoulder 84. A suitable adhesive means is preferably interposed between the skirt 88 and wall 89 to maintain the retainer ring 86 suitably positioned on the housing 71.

The retainer ring 86 has a second, radially inwardly directed flange 90 which cooperates with the thimble 80 to retain a drain valve seal 91. The radially inner side at the axially uppermost extremity of the thimble 80 is recessed, as at 92, to present an axially extending, annular, anchor rib 93 located medially of the outer wall 94 of recess 92 and the cavity 95 within the housing 71 which opens upwardly through the upper extremity of the thimble 80 as well as downwardly through the lower extremity of neck 72. The anchor rib 93 is received in a corresponding annular channel 96 in the body portion 98 of the drain seal 91. The location of the second flange 90 in spaced opposition to the anchor rib 93 precludes the seal 91 from being inadvertently removed, and the axially underside of the flange 90 is stepped, as at 99, to afford the fullest backing support to the seal without unnecessarily reducing the thickness of the material forming the seal at any point.

The seal 91 presents a plurality of, preferably four, annular beads 100 that engage the surface of the valve element 101 in spaced relation to effect a seal thereagainst. The valve element 101 is a spherical segment that may be satisfactorily made of a solvent resistant plastic. The valve element 101 must have sufficient area to engage the annular beads 100 and close the opening i.e., drain 31 to the cavity 95, said opening being delineated by the seal 91.

The spherical valve element 101 is selectively rotatable on one of its diametric axes and suitable rotation can be effected by providing a trunnion 103 that extends outwardly from one side of the valve element 101 to be rotatably received within a bearing boss 104 located between the collar 65 and thimble 80 of the valve housing 71.

Diametrically opposed to the trunnion 103 the valve element 101 presents a means for connecting the valve element 101 to a rotatable drive block 105. As best shown in FlG. 5, the valve element 101 may present a pair of spaced

legs

106 and 108 that embrace the block 105, and a screw 109 may extend through the block 105 medially of the

legs

106 and 108 to engage a nut fixed within the valve element. The foregoing arrangement allows for selective rotation of the valve element 101 and also permits the valve element to be re placed with considerable ease.

Further to facilitate changing the valve element 101 an opposed pair of indentations 111 and 112 are provided on the radially outer surface, one adjacent to trunnion 103 and the second adjacent the spaced

legs

106 and 108. To remove the valve element 101 the screw 109 is disengaged from nut 110 while the valve element is in the closed position, the valve element is then rotated and by engaging the indentations 111 and 112 with the thumb and an opposed finger extending into the cavity 95 through collar 65, the valve element may be sufficiently flexed by pitching the thumb and opposed finger together to rotate the

legs

106 and 108 away from the block 105 and outwardly from the cavity 95. The trunnion 103 can thereby be extricated from the bearing boss 104 and the valve elements removed. The same valve element, or a replacement, can be easily inserted by reversing the aforedescribed process.

It should be noted that the indentation 112 also provides a space into which that portion of the screw 109 threaded beyond nut 110 may extend.

when the block 105 is engaged by

legs

106 and 108 the valve element 101 can be rotated, as desired, by manipulation of a handle 115 (FIG. 3) readily accessible from exteriorily of the toilet assembly 20. In the embodiment depicted the handle is located at the front of the assembly and is normally nested between the front wall 32A of the seat section 21 and the front wall 63A of the holding tank section 22. In fact, the front wall 32A has a recess 116 and the front wall 63A has an opposed recess 118 to accommodate the handle 115 so that the outermost surface 119 thereon can remain flush with the

walls

32A and 63A.

The block 105 is carried on a spindle 120 that extends through a boss 121 located in the housing 71 between the neck 72 and the thimble 80. The journaled portion 122 of the spindle 120 within the boss 121 is cylindrical and is, therefore, rotatable within the boss 121 which serves as a bearing. To effect a liquid seal it is desirable that an annular recess 123 be provided in the journal portion 122 to receive an O-ring, or other suitable seal means, 124.

Radially outwardly of the boss 121 the cross section of the spindle 120 is such as to effect a rotatable driving connection between the spindle and an extension shaft 125 while allowing the two elements to move axially of each other. As shown in FIG. 4, the square cross section comprising the driving portion 126 of the spindle 120 which is matingly received within a square bore 127 in the extension shaft 125 effects the desired result.

The driving portion 126 of the spindle 120 and a portion of the extension shaft 125 are enclosed within a guide 128 that extends outwardly from the value housing 71 and terminates in an end wall 129 through which the outboard portion 130 of the extension shaft 125 protrudes.

A biasing means in the form of a compression spring 131 circumscribes the extension shaft 125 and acts to urge it toward its innermost position. This result may be accomplished by positioning the spring 131 between the end wall 129 and a shoulder 132 provided on the exterior of the extension shaft 125.

The handle 115 is secured to the outboard endportion of the extension shaft 125. As shown, the shank 133 of the handle is receivable over the outboard portion 130 of the extension shaft 125 and non-rotatably secured thereto. For example, the base of the shank 133 may present a square socket 134 into which the squared end 135 of the outboard portion 130 is received. The handle 115 may be fastened to the extension shaft 125 by virtue of a U-shaped spring clip 136 that snaps behind the head 138 on the stiffening rod 139 anchored within at least the outboard portion of the extension shaft 125.

The biasing pressure applied by spring 131 normally maintains the handle 115 within the

opposed recess

116 and 118, and the combined configuration of those recesses in such that when the handle 115 is confined therebetween it cannot be rotated although a person may extend his fingers through recess 118 so as to be able to grasp the handle.

When the handle 115 is confined within the

recesses

116 and 118 the valve element 101 is in its closed position. That is, the spherical valve element 101 is positioned fully across drain 31 and is engaged by the annular beads of seal 91. In this position communication between the drain 31 in bowl 30 and the interior of the holding tank section 22 is precluded.

To effect communication, and thereby transfer the contents of the bowl 30 into the holding tank section 22, one must grasp the handle and translate it axially outwardly beyond the influence of the

recesses

116 and 118. This axial translation of the handle 115 against the biasing action of spring 131 causes the extension shaft to slide axially along the driving portion 126 of the spindle 120. But even when the handle is translated to its outermost position the extension shaft 125 remains in driving contact with the spindle 120 so that rotation of the outwardly displaced handle 115 effects rotation of the valve element 101.

After translating the handle to its outer position it is rotated through approximately 90 to align the diametrically opposed,

semi-circular openings

140 and 141 in the valve element 101 with the drain 31 in order to allow the contents of the bowl 30 to pass through the drain 31, through the cavity 95 in the housing 71 of the valve assembly 70 and into the holding tank section 22.

Although it has heretofore been explained that the cooperative interaction of the handle 115 with the

opposed recesses

116 and 118 precludes inadvertent opening of the valve assembly 70 when the seat and holding

tank sections

21 and 22, respectively, are assembled, it should also be appreciated that the recess 118 in wall 63A of the holding tank section 22 will itself preclude rotation of the handle 115 unless the handle has been first translated to its fully outermost position. This way one is not inconvenienced by having the valve element 101 inadvertently open while the holding tank section 22 is being transported independently of the seat section 21.

It should also be appreciated that the subject configuration permits the thimble to be of larger diameter without impairing the operation of the valve element or the seal therearound and also permits a sufficient penetration of the larger diameter thimble portion 80 within the recessed socket 34 that a fairly stable connection can be effected between the seat and holding

tank sections

21 and 22, respectively, which holding clamps 23 such as those disclosed in our aforesaid copending U.S. application Ser. No. 3l0,557 now U.S. Pat. No. 3,801,991 need merely maintain. In fact, the particular configuration depicted in the preferred embodiment can easily afford a thimble portion 80 of approximately four inches in diameter which penetrates the socket 34 at least three-quarters of an inch. This provides a very stable interconnection with sufiicient interface area to permit the use of an O-ring 83 of sufficient cross sectional diameter to obviate any leakage of liquids or gas between the thimble portion and the socket in which it We claim:

1. A portable toilet comprising; a seat section and a holding tank section, said holding tank section having an inlet port, a flush valve housing, means to fasten said flush valve housing to said inlet port, a thimble formed on said valve housing and extending oppositely of said holding tank section, a passageway extending through said valve housing and thimble, a valve element comprising a portion of a sphere mounted for rotation within said thimble, means to rotate said valve element selectively to open and close said passageway, said seat section having a bowl portion that converges downwardly to a drain, a socket circumscribing said drain, the thimble presented from said valve housing being insertably receivable within said socket and means to effect a seal between said thimble and said socket.

2. A portable toilet, as set forth in claim l, in which a handle is operatively connected to said spherical valve element such that rotation of said handle rotates said valve element and means are provided to preclude inadvertent rotation of said handle.

3. A portable toilet, as set forth in claim 2, in which a recess is provided in at least one separable section of said toilet, said handle being normally confined against rotation within said recess and means being provided to displace said handle outwardly of said recess for unrestricted rotation of said handle.

4. A portable toilet, as set forth in claim 3, in which the means to displace said handle comprise, a spindle secured to said spherical valve element, an extension shaft, means to effect a rotatable driving connection between said spindle and extension shaft while allowing the spindle and extension shaft to move axially of each other, said handle being fastened to said extension shaft.

5. A portable toilet, as set forth in claim 4, in which means are provided to bias said extension shaft in that direction along said spindle which retains said handle within the said recess.

6. A portable toilet, as set forth in claim 1, in which said spherical valve element has a diametric axis, a trunnion extending outwardly on one side of said valve element along said diametric axis and being rotatably received within said valve housing, means on said valve element diametrically opposed to said trunnion for selective connection to the means for rotating said spherical valve element.

7. A portable toilet, as set forth in claim 6, in which a pair of indentations are provided in said spherical valve element in proximity to said diametric axis in order to facilitate removal and insertion of the valve element with respect to the valve housing.

8. A portable toilet, as set forth in claim 1, in which an annular drain seal is retained within said thimble for engaging said spherical valve element.

9. A portable toilet, as set forth in claim 8, in which said drain seal is located along the radially innermost portion of said thimble, and a second seal means is provided along the radial outermost portion of said thimble to effect a seal between said thimble and said socket, a common retainer ring locating both said seals.

10. A portable toilet, as set forth in claim 8, in which said drain seal presents a plurality of annular beads for engaging said spherical valve element and a channel to receive an anchor rib presented from said thimble.

ll ll. A portable toilet, as set forth in claim 1, in which a distribution ledge circumscribes said bowl portion, a source of flush fluid is provided within said seat section together with a means for pumping said flush fluid and a feed tube for communicating the flush fluid from said pump means to said distribution ledge, said feed tube being provided with a plurality of discharge orifices spaced along said distribution ledge.

12. A portable toilet, as set forth in claim ll, in which said distribution ledge progressively narrows to afford a spiral configuration and in which a first of said discharge orifices is directed obliquely inwardly with respect to a tangent to the distribution ledge at the point of discharge and in which a second of said discharge orifices is spaced circumferentially of said first discharge orifice along said distribution ledge.

13. A portable toilet, as set forth in claim 12, in which said second discharge orifice is spaced from said first discharge orifice at approximately one-quarter the circumference of said bowl portion.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE v CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PATENT o. 13,851,339 DATED December 3, 1974 INVENTORl'S) :Vaughn D. Flinner; Richard W. Sprang; Dana D. Zody; and

Howard A. Fulton. lt rs certrfred that error appears In the above-rdentrfred patent and that sard Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 1, line 56, "Vertical" should read --vortlcal--.

Column 4, line 18, "3, 801,99)" should read --3, 801,991".

Column 7, line 11, "when" should read -When--; line 43, "value" should read "valve"; line 67, "recess" should read "recesses".

Column 8, line 1, "in" should read --is--.

Signed and sealed this 20th day of May 1975 (SEAL) Attest:

C. MARSHALL DANN RUTH C. MASON Commissioner of Patents Attesting Officer and Trademarks

Claims

2. A portable toilet, as set forth in claim 1, in which a handle is operatively connected to said spherical valve element such that rotation of said handle rotates said valve element and means are provided to preclude inadvertent rotation of said handle.

11. A portable toilet, as set forth in claim 1, in which a distribution ledge circumscribes said bowl portion, a source of flush fluid is provided within said seat section together with a means for pumping said flush fluid and a feed tube for communicating the flush fluid from said pump means to said distribution ledge, said feed tube being provided with a plurality of discharge orifices spaced along said distribution ledge.

12. A portable toilet, as set forth in claim 11, in which said distribution ledge progressively narrows to afford a spiral configuration and in which a first of said discharge orifices is directed obliquely inwardly with respect to a tangent to the distribution ledge at the point of discharge and in which a second of said discharge orifices is spaced circumferentially of said first discharge orifice along said distribution ledge.