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: 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: 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 rotatable telescoping drain assembly permanently mounted at the end to waste receptacle drain on the underside of a recreational vehicle consisting of a swivel coupling unit attached to an axially extensible flow hose within a telescoping support tube assembly, a tie rod assembly connected to and extending between the tube assembly and the swivel coupling unit, and a discharge spout unit connected to the other end of the telescoping support tube and flow hose assembly which includes an internal valve. The telescoping tube assembly can be relatively telescoped, the swivel coupling relatively swiveled, and the tie rod relatively pivoted to locate the spout into the inlet of appropriate waste storage facility. During travel of the vehicle the discharge spout and drain assembly is supported within an enclosed cabinet mounted on the vehicle. The telescoping drain assembly allows the vehicle operator to conveniently avoid the usual mess associated with emptying liquid waste receptacles on the vehicle.

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 comprises a spout via which accumulated waste contents are dumped at a suitable sanitary disposal station. The disclosed embodiment of portable toilet comprises separably mounted seat and holding tank sections which cooperatively define a storage housing for the spout when it is not in use. For dumping the two sections are separated. The spout is rotatably mounted in an aperture in the top wall of the holding tank and is swung from its stored position and a cap at the end of the spout is unscrewed. A vent valve is also provided in the top wall of the holding tank and it is manually operated by the person dumping the holding tank so as to vent the head space during dumping.

Abstract: A portable toilet enclosure comprises a base and sidewalls attached to sides of the base. The base has a wall in which a portable toilet is disposed. A moveable wall is supported on the sidewalls and is operable to a closed position in which the portable toilet is concealed from view and to an open position which provides use of the portable toilet in the usual manner. The sidewalls incorporate integral hand grips along the top. The bottom edges of the sidewalls provide support for the enclosure on an underlying surface. A pair of wheels are mounted at the lower front corners of the enclosure. With the toilet resting on its sidewalls, the wheels are slightly out of contact with the underlying surface. Forward tipping of the enclosure brings the wheels into contact with the underlying surface while at the same time elevating the lower edges of the sidewalls from the underlying surface so that the enclosure can be rolled.

Abstract: A portable toilet comprises a spout via which accumulated waste contents are dumped at a suitable sanitary disposal station. The disclosed embodiment of portable toilet comprises separably mounted seat and holding tank sections which cooperatively define a storage housing for the spout when it is not in use. For dumping the two sections are separated. The spout is rotatably mounted in an aperture in the top wall of the holding tank and is swung from its stored position and a cap at the end of the spout is unscrewed. A vent valve is also provided in the top wall of the holding tank and it is manually operated by the person dumping the holding tank so as to vent the head space during dumping.

Abstract: A water closet (10) for conserving water which has a siphon jet (30) in the bowl (12) for initiating evacuation of the contents of the bowl through the trap (26), and a flush water storage tank (14) that includes chambers (68) and (72) through which water can flow in measured quantities, first to the siphon jet for initiating the siphon action, and second, to the bowl (12) for rinse purposes in a timed-delay action so that substantially no mixing of the rinse water with the contents of the bowl occurs.

Abstract: A knock-down portable toilet facility that has components made of thermoplastic material and which can be shipped in a disassembled state, and which can be erected at a site of intended use by interconnecting the components.

Abstract: A portable toilet of the type having two vertically stacked sections, the lower section (12) being a holding tank, and the upper section (14) including a toilet bowl (22), a water tank (26) for storage of water for flush purposes, and flush apparatus (32) for flushing the toilet bowl. Handles (78) and (80) are provided for separately carrying the lower section (12) and the upper section (14), the handles being arranged so that they form a unitary handle for carrying the toilet (10) without the need of a clasping mechanism for holding the sections together. An improved flush apparatus (32) including the flush bulb (84) is provided so that priming of the flushing system is unnecessary. A valve assembly (46) is mounted within the confines of the lower section (12) by providing a planar member (58) that is a part of the valve body (56) and can be inserted through an opening (72) in the top wall of the lower section (12) for attachment to the top wall within the holding tank.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for treatment of a fluid by use of a membrane tube wherein a volume displacement rod is positioned longitudinally through the membrane tube to provide desired filtration conditions for removal of a permeate from the fluid, and an improved support arrangement for the rod is provided that eliminates the use of a spider or similar support structure that constitutes a fluid flow obstruction. In the disclosed embodiment, the remote ends of the rod are seated in sockets located in bends in the walls of the inlet and outlet conduits associated with the membrane tube.