Abstract: A toilet having a seat section that includes a bowl with a bottom discharge opening. The toilet also includes a source of flush water for rinsing the bowl and removing waste through the discharge opening into a waste storage tank. A pump provides the flush water through a nozzle which directs the flush water into the bowl. A check valve is associated with discharge nozzle to prevent flush water from inadvertently leaking into the bowl. The check valve is capable of being used with either a manually actuated pump or a power assisted pump and reduces the force required by the pump to maintain the valve open than to initially open it.

Abstract: A vent for a removable toilet holding tank includes a valve member that is in communication with both the holding tank interior and the ambient atmosphere and is moved off its valve seat when the pressure within the holding tank exceeds the ambient pressure by an amount sufficient to overcome the force of gravity acting to hold the valve member against its valve seat. The vent further includes a second valve member which is operable to close the vent when the holding tank is removed from the toilet bowl thereby precluding spillage of the tank contents during handling of the tank when separated from the toilet bowl.

Abstract: A mechanism for multiplying rotation. The mechanism includes two armatures of differing lengths which rotate about different centers of rotation. The armatures are coupled together such that a rotation of one armature will produce a multiplied rotation in the other armature. The multiplying mechanism has particular application with a valve assembly of the type used in self-contained sanitary systems of recreational vehicles. The valve assembly includes a seal element having a sealing lip directed toward generally inward and downward of a fill opening a valve blade in the holding tank. The sealing lip terminates in a downwardly and outwardly oriented flange. The valve blade is actuatable through two movements. The first movement moves the valve blade generally vertically into and out of engagement with the seal element. The second movement moves the valve blade generally horizontally to a position out of registry with the fill opening.

Abstract: A substantially closed loop waste treatment and water recycling system. The system includes one or more flush-type toilets and urinals which receive flush water from a water return station and deliver waste and flush water to an anoxic reactor. The anoxic reactor contains bacteria which de-nitrifies the mixture. The de-nitrified mixture is transferred into an aerobic digestion chamber where bacteria oxidizes various components of the mixture to obtain a liquid product having a high concentration of nitrates and a low concentration of soluble carbonaceous compounds. This liquid product is filtered, treated with activated carbon, disinfected, and subsequently returned to the water return station as colorless and odorless flush water. Recycled flush water in excess of flush water requirements is further treated in a secondary nitrate removal station and discharged from the system.

Abstract: A temporary sealing device for sealing a waste discharge conduit from an RV to an inlet receptacle of a waste receiving reservoir. The sealing device includes an inflatable bladder which is mounted so as to be positionable between the discharge conduit and the receptacle. A pump inflates the bladder to a size which seals the opening between the receptacle and the conduit to inhibit removal of the conduit and prevent the discharge of waste therearound. The sealing device is also provided with a valve which allows the bladder to be deflated after the transfer of waste and permits the conduit to be withdrawn from the receptacle.

Abstract: A low water flush toilet having a bowl with a horizontal ledge extending around the bowl periphery near its open upper end with a flush water nozzle on the ledge for discharging water in a generally horizontal direction onto the ledge. A pulsator is provided for producing pulses of flush water that are discharged onto the ledge with the water of each pulse flowing at varying velocities such that as the water flows around the ledge, some of the water will fall off the ledge around substantially the entire periphery of the bowl resulting in wetting of the entire bowl surface for cleaning the bowl. The pulsator includes a spring biased piston for discharging pulses of water.

Abstract: A toilet having a foot pedal flush control comprising two pedals, one for opening a toilet bowl discharge outlet and the other for supplying flush water to the bowl. The pedals both operate through actuation cables having a wire member slidable within a conduit. The flush water pedal can be independently actuated to partially fill the bowl prior to use of the toilet while the outlet closure member pedal coacts with the flush water pedal so that upon opening of the bowl outlet, the flush water pedal is depressed providing water to the bowl. The wire members are solid wire members coupled to the pedals for both pull and push operation so that upon a failure of the pedal return mechanism, the pedals can be manually returned closing the bowl outlet and terminating the flow of flush water to the bowl.

Abstract: A self-contained sanitary fixture, particularly for a recreational vehicle, comprises a bench supported on a base cooperatively defining a stowage compartment. The bench contains a bowl having an outlet which connects to a tank in the storage compartment. A valve on the tank controls passage between the bowl and the tank. The valve is itself operated from a knob on the bench through a coupling mechanism. Waste water from the bowl is collected in the tank and is disposed of by sliding the tank out of the stowage compartment through an opening in the RV's sidewall and carrying the tank to a suitable disposal site. The tank incorporates a rotatable pourspout and vent valve to facilitate pouring waste contents out of the tank. The connections between the bowl outlet and the tank and between the knob and valve automatically disconnect upon removal of the tank from the stowage compartment. Similarly they automatically reconnect when the tank is inserted back into the stowage compartment.

Abstract: A universal recreational vehicle toilet system with a removable waste holding tank is provided to enable the recreational vehicle manufacturer to have wide latitude in the positioning of the toilet within a recreational vehicle. The toilet system includes an upper section containing the toilet bowl and a lower section forming a base upon which the bowl section is supported in spaced relation above the recreational vehicle floor. A holding tank is partially or fully inserted in the base section and coupled to the toilet bowl for receiving waste therefrom. The holding tank is removable through an opening in the sidewall of the recreational vehicle for disposal of waste.

Abstract: A systen for extending and retracting the waste hose for a waste disposal system that is typically found on recreational vehicles and includes power or crank-driven hose extender means for extending the collapsible hose from its collapsed mode stored on-board the recreational vehicle, to its extended configuration which it is used for dumping waste from an RV holding tank into an inlet of an RV waste dump station. The system includes a specialized hose extension and retraction mechanism, and a universal coupling at the end of the hose which will fit waste station inlet pipes of all the commonly used sizes, which run from 3" to 41/2" in diameter. In addition, a special structure is used to create a 90 degree bend in the outboard end of the hose, and an optional unidirectional cuff around the hose will hold tension on the hose so it can be stretched between the recreational vehicle and the inlet, but will permit the hose to be manually pushed back through the cuff without substantial resistance.

Abstract: A portable toilet having a battery operated flushing assembly that is powered by batteries carried in the toilet. The batteries provide for a "pulsed" flushing action of the flush water and this is achieved by the use of an axial flow pump which is operable to lift small amounts of water small distances to the bowl in a repeatable fashion. This facilitates flushing of the toilet, makes it easier for the user to flush the toilet, and provides for efficient and complete flushing. A selectively operable closure plate prevents leakage of water from the toilet bowl during transport of the toilet.

Abstract: A portable toilet having a fill cap covering the fill opening for a flush water tank. The cap includes a lid with an air vent opening and a seal member captivated in a cage extending downwardly from the lid into the tank, the cap being removably mounted on a tube for filling the tank with water. An air path from the atmosphere to tank is defined by the lid vent opening and an annulus around the seal. The cage is inserted into the tube and should the water splash in the tube the seal is forced upwardly and against the vent opening to prevent water from escaping.

Abstract: The body of a recreational vehicle (RV) is configured to have a stowage compartment within the body's interior but separate from the interior occupant space. The stowage compartment contains a tank which serves water use fixtures in the interior occupant space. The stowage compartment is disposed adjacent the sidewall of the RV body and an opening is provided through the sidewall from the stowage space to the exterior. This opening is closed by a door. When the door is open, the tank can pass through the opening into and out of the stowage space. The tank can be either a fresh water tank containing a supply of fresh water for use at sanitary fixtures in the RV or alternatively it can be a waste water tank of either the gray water or black water type which collects waste from the water use fixtures.

Abstract: A self-contained sanitary fixture, particularly for a recreational vehicle, comprises a bench supported on a base cooperatively defining a stowage compartment. The bench contains a bowl having an outlet which connects to a tank in the stowage compartment. A valve on the tank controls passage between the bowl and the tank. The valve is itself operated from a knob on the bench through a coupling mechanism. Waste water from the bowl is collected in the tank and is disposed of by sliding the tank out of the stowage compartment through an opening in the RV's sidewall and carrying the tank to a suitable disposal site. The tank incorporates a rotatable pourspout and vent valve to facilitate pouring waste contents out of the tank. The connections between the bowl outlet and the tank and between the knob and valve automatically disconnect upon removal of the tank from the stowage compartment. Similarly they automatically reconnect when the tank is inserted back into the stowage compartment.

Abstract: A portable toilet having a battery operated flushing assembly that is powered by batteries carried in the toilet. The batteries provide for a "pulsed" flushing action of the flush water and this is achieved by the use of an axial flow pump which is operable to lift small amounts of water small distances to the bowl in a repeatable fashion. This facilitates flushing of the toilet, makes it easier for the user to flush the toilet, and provides for efficient and complete flushing. A selectively operable closure plate prevents leakage of water from the toilet bowl during transport of the toilet.

Abstract: An improved seal element for use with a self contained recreational vehicle sanitary system. This invention is particularly adapted for use with the type of sanitary system having a bench structure which defines an interior storage compartment and a waste holding tank removably disposed in the storage compartment. Waste products are transferred from the bench structure to the waste holding tank via a fill opening. A seal element is disposed around the perimeter of the fill opening which seals against both the bench structure and a movable blade valve mounted within the holding tank which closes off the fill opening when it is desired to remove the holding tank for dumping etc. The seal element includes one or more sealing lips which engage the valve blade member in its closed position. One of the seal lips is disposed in a generally radially outwardly projecting direction with respect to the fill opening when the valve is closed.

Abstract: A door assembly for an outside compartment in a recreational vehicle consisting of a generally upright rectangular frame member defining an access opening and a rectangular door member of a size to fit in the opening. Hinge members mount the upper end of the door member on the frame for up and down swinging movement between an open position disposed above the access opening and a closed position fitting in the opening. A continuous seal carried by the door engages the frame in order to maintain the compartment water tight. Separate latching and locking functions are incorporated in the door assembly and are separately accessed from side-by-side latch and lock members in the frame at a convenient position above the door.

Abstract: A waste treatment and water recycling system that includes a delivery system, a trap, a sump, an anoxic reactor, an aerobic digestion chamber, a filtering system, an adsorption system, a disinfecting system and a water return system. The delivery system includes one or more flush-type toilets and urinals which receive flush water from the water return system and deliver the toilet and urinal waste and flush water to the anoxic reactor. The anoxic reactor contains bacteria which utilizes organics in the toilet waste to convert oxidized nitrogen compounds, such as nitrates, to nitrogen gas, produce bicarbonates and other products. The bacteria, in accomplishing this, lower the organic load on subsequent processes.

Abstract: The body of a recreational vehicle (RV) is disclosed with a stowage compartment within the body interior but separated from the interior occupant space. The stowage compartment contains a tank which serves as a waste holding tank for a water use sanitary toilet within the RV. The stowage compartment is partially disposed beneath the toilet and has an opening provided through the sidewall from the stowage space to the exterior. The opening is displaced longitudinally relative to the toilet such that when moving the waste holding tank into and out of the stowage compartment, the tank travels in a generally horizontal arcuate path. The holding tank is curved as seen in a plan view to accommodate the arcuate path. A track guide in the stowage compartment guides the path of the tank.

Abstract: A flush pump is disclosed for use in pumping water from a storage tank to a toilet bowl for flushing waste from the toilet such as in a recreational vehicle. The pump disclosed includes a housing with a bellows disposed therein with an inlet extending into the flush water storage tank and a discharge connected to the toilet bowl. A piston positioned above the bellows is used to depress the bellows upon rotation of the piston by an actuator above the piston. The actuator includes a cylindrical wall portion extending into the housing having a plurality of vertical flanges extending from the cylindrical side wall engaged with the piston side wall such that when the actuator is rotated the piston will rotate therewith. The housing side wall includes a fixed cam which is engaged with an incline flange cam follower extending from the piston side wall such that the piston will move downward upon rotation of the actuator.