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 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: An improved vent structure for a toilet which is normally open but automatically closable depending on the water level whereby to prevent unwanted spills allows air to escape from the interior of a flush water holding tank. A cruciform shaped stem including a buoyant body attached thereto reciprocates in a bore, and a seal, provided by an interior bellows or by the buoyant body, closes the air path when the stem is buoyed upwardly by a rise in the water level.

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 with a movable spout via which accumulated waste contents are dumped at a suitable sanitary disposal station. The portable toilet has separably mounted seat and holding tank sections which are separated for dumping. The spout is rotatably mounted in an aperture in the top wall of the holding tank and is swung from its stored position to a discharge position extending away from the holding tank and the one dumping the tank. 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, and a waste inlet valve on the tank is locked in its closed position during dumping by an auto lock actuating handle which is located adjacent the vent valve and provides a convenient holding handle for the tank during dumping.

Abstract: A tank fill assist for filling a tank or other equivalent volume from a remote source of liquid, for example filling a consumer product from a sink or bathroom faucet with fresh water. The fill assist is normally stowed within the interior of the tank. It is withdrawn for connection to a faucet for tank filling, and is then returned to stowed position after tank filling. The fill assist comprises standard flexible conduit with unique inlet and outlet fittings at opposite ends. The outlet fitting is disposed within the interior of the tank and is constructed and arranged to prevent accidental separation of the fill assist from the tank when the conduit is withdrawn from the tank yet to allow passage through the fill opening when it is intended to either join or separate the fill assist to or from the tank. The inlet fitting is of thermoplastic rubber and can be fitted over the outlets of typical sink and bathroom faucets.

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 pourspout accessory kit for use with a portable toilet holding tank to facilitate dumping of the holding tank's contents via an outlet opening in the holding tank. The accessory kit copmrises a pourspout having an inlet end for attachment to the holding tank outlet opening and an outlet end spaced from the inlet end. Respective inlet and outlet end closure caps cover the inlet and outlet ends respectively of the pourspout. The inlet end of the pourspout is configured to fit a holding tank outlet opening having either a partial internal screw thread or a full external screw thread. The attachment to the partial internal screw thread is by means of a pair of bayonets on diametrically opposite sides of the pourspout which engage the partial screw threads on diametrically opposite sides of the holding tank outlet opening.

Abstract: A level indicator for a portable toilet comprises a visible indicator on the exterior of the toilet's holding tank, a float mechanism on the tank's interior operable to sense the level of liquid material in the tank, and a magnetic coupling between the float mechanism and the indicator for causing the indicator to be operated to a position corresponding to the level of liquid material sensed by the float mechanism. The indicator is in the form of a wheel journaled on a receptacle in the top wall of the holding tank. A magnet mounts on the wheel in radially spaced relation to its axis. The float mechanism comprises an arm which is operated along an arc in response to changes in the level of liquid material in the tank. The arm has a magnet which swings in a corresponding arc and which confronts the wheel magnet so that the wheel is rotated about its axis as the float arm is operated about its own axis.

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.