Background of the invention Field of the invention

The invention relates to a latrine apparatus, in particular to a latrine apparatus for use as a cover on the floor surface of a pit latrine.

Background information

In many parts of the world, pit latrines are widely used especially in rural areas and in informal settlements in urban areas. A pit latrine primarily consists of a pit dug in the ground and covered with a layer of timber or a concrete slab with a hole therein through which waste passes to the bottom of the pit. Pit latrines however provide poor sanitation conditions and they suffer from many disadvantages such as discharging offensive odours and being sources of flies that are a health hazard to people living in surrounding areas. Poor sanitation conditions are known to cause disease such as cholera, typhoid, dysentery and diarrhoeas, which can be prevented by use of proper sanitation methods and facilities. The way pit latrines are designed also causes users to soil their surfaces thus creating an unpleasant site to other users.

Various embodiments of pit latrine apparatuses are known from GB1 13814, ZA 874646 and US3949431 which describe some form of pit latrine floor plates. GB1 13814 describes a flat floor plate with a central tapered hole with projecting or recessed foot guides on either side of the hole to ensure correct use of the pit latrine. ZA874646 describes a pit latrine floor with an orifice and a surface, which supports a toilet hut. On the other hand, US3949431 describes a pit latrine designed to prevent escape of odours and ingress of insects and is provided with a platform adapted to overlie a pit dug in the ground and tippable pan for holding water inside the pit. These latrines however do not reduce infestation of flies and discharge of offensive odours neither do they provide an appealing or conducive environment to the user. It is therefore an objective of invention to provide an apparatus that eliminates or greatly reduces the above cited and other disadvantages in pit latrines. A further objective is to improve the condition of pit latrines to avoid or minimize infestation by flies as well as to reduce offensive odours in such facilities. Yet another objective is to provide an apparatus for use in pit latrines that is easy to operate, clean and safe to the user.

Yet another objective is to provide an apparatus that can be installed easily in a pit latrine, and which can be removed and relocated from one pit latrine to another.

Yet another objective is to provide an apparatus that can be installed in existing pit latrines as well as in newly constructed pit latrines, which, at the time of construction can be designed to accommodate the apparatus.

Yet another objective is to provide an apparatus that can be used in different surfaces of pit latrines, for example in pit latrines whose surface is made of timber or even where the floor surface of a pit latrine is cemented. Summary of the invention

According to the invention, there is provided a latrine apparatus, which is designed to be used as a cover on the floor surface of a pit latrine. The apparatus comprises of a slab to be fastened or fixed on the surface of a pit latrine. The slab is provided with a drain hole, which is designed to overlie the hole of a pit latrine when the slab is fitted on the surface of such pit latrine.

A lid is provided for covering the drain hole of which the lid is mounted on the slab using a plug that is designed to allow the lid to be moved from a closed position to an open position in very flexible ways for the convenience of different types of users. The design of the plug allows the lid to flip pivotally about the plug or to rotate 360 degrees around the plughole.

The slab has foot surfaces on each side of the drain hole to allow different types of users, whether adults, the old and young children, to position themselves in the right place along the foot surfaces to avoid soiling the surface of the apparatus. To enhance the safety of the user, the foot surfaces are provided with grip enhancing members to make the foot surfaces less slippery to the user.

The bottom side of the slab is made in the form of a grid structure to increase the rigidity and stability of the apparatus for it to withstand the weight of the user without deforming.

The slab is further provided with fastening means for fastening the slab to the floor surface of a pit latrine. The slab can be fastened on the surface of the pit latrine by nails or screws. To further enhance the rigidity of the apparatus the slab may be provided with a reinforcing skirting around the perimeter. The slab is provided with a recessed trough between the foot surfaces, which is made to slant towards the drain hole. This design of the recessed trough and slanting foot surfaces is intended to improve the hygienic conditions of a host pit latrine as it enhances the flow of any liquid matter from the surface of the apparatus into the drain hole thus making it easy to clean the apparatus. The recessed trough and the foot surfaces are also designed to form or define angled inner walls to allow for smooth and gradual movement of the lid.

When the apparatus is assembled, the rear end of the lid is pivotally mounted on the plug through a shaft. The design of the plug is such that the lid can be removably mounted on the plug for example to allow the apparatus to be cleaned more easily. The lid is further provided with handle fastening means for fastening a handle thereof. The handle is used to move the lid in order to open or close the drain hole. The lid is provided with a lip such that a user can also move the lid by hooking their foot under the lip. The lid is designed to close the drain hole firmly and to prevent flies from getting in or out of a pit latrine. The mounting of the lid on the slab provides the user with the choice of either using the handle or the foot to move the lid to open or close the drain hole.

The slab is provided with a plughole for mounting the lid on the slab. The plug is designed such that when it is fitted in the plughole, the lid can be moved relative to the slab so as to open and close the drain hole. The plug has a channel and a groove that allows the lid to be pivotally mounted on the plug.

The plug is further provided with lug members that make the plug to overlie the surface of the recessed trough thus retaining the plug in a position that prevents it from sliding through the plughole.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a latrine apparatus of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a top view of the latrine apparatus of Fig. 1 ; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the components of the latrine apparatus of Fig. 1 before the apparatus is assembled;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the components of the latrine apparatus of Fig.1 during assembly;

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view along the line B-B of Fig. 2 when a lid for covering a drain hole is mounted on the apparatus;

Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view along the line A-A of Fig.2;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the bottom side of the apparatus of Fig.1 ;

Fig. 8 is an example showing movement of the lid from a closed position of the drain hole to an open position; Fig. 9 is example showing another movement of the lid from a closed position of the drain hole to an open position;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a plug for connecting the lid and the slab of the latrine apparatus;

Fig. 1 1 is a side view of the plug of Fig. 10; Fig. 12 is another side of the plug of Fig. 10; Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the lid of the latrine apparatus;

Fig. 14 is a front view of the lid of Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is a side view of the lid of Fig. 13;

Fig. 16 is a top view of a lid of Fig. 13; Fig. 17 is a bottom perspective view of a lid of Fig. 13;

Fig. 18 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the latrine apparatus of the invention; and

Fig. 19 is a top view of latrine apparatus of Fig. 18.

Detailed description of the invention The invention is more specifically described in the following paragraph with reference to the drawings only by way of example.

With reference to Fig. 1 to 4 there is provided an embodiment of a latrine apparatus, which is designed to be used as a cover on the floor surface of a pit latrine. The apparatus is designed to be used on different types of surfaces of pit latrines. For example, the apparatus can be used in pit latrines whose surface is made of timber or even where the floor surface is cemented. The apparatus comprises of a slab (10), a lid (30), for covering a drain hole (25), and a plug (23) for mounting the lid (30) on the slab (10), each of which is preferably made as a separate unit.

The slab has a drain hole (25) that is designed to overlie the hole of a host pit latrine. Alternatively, the hole of the pit latrine may be constructed or modified to correspond to the drain hole of the apparatus.

The slab is designed with foot surfaces (12, 17) on each side of the drain hole (25) for the user to stand on. The slab is specifically designed with extended foot surfaces (12, 17) to allow different types of users, whether adults, the old and young children, to position themselves on the right place astride the drain hole by moving to and fro along the foot surfaces (12, 17), so that the user can avoid or lessen the likelihood of soiling the surface of the apparatus.

As illustrated in Fig. 7 the bottom side of the slab (10) is in the form of a grid structure (27) comprising of a plurality of horizontal and cross members. The grid structure increases rigidity and stability of the apparatus to withstand the weight of the user without deforming. The apparatus is made as light as possible by reducing the weight of the production material used in order to make it affordable. The grid structure is therefore essential in increasing rigidity of the apparatus as well as maintaining a flat surface of the apparatus. To enhance the safety of the user, the foot surfaces (12, 17) are provided with a plurality of grip enhancing members (1 1 , 16) designed to make the foot surfaces (12, 17) less slippery for the user. In a preferred embodiment, the grip enhancing members (1 1 , 16), as illustrated in Fig. 2, comprise a plurality of spherical projections on the foot surfaces (12, 17). While it is possible to use other types of projections, the spherical projections are preferred as they make it easy to clean the apparatus unlike other possible alternatives for example oval and rectangular projections for which dirt is likely to get stuck around the edges.

The apparatus is designed to be fastened on the surface of a pit latrine and the slab (10) is therefore provided with one or more slab fastening means (14, 18) for fastening the slab (10) on to the floor surface of a pit latrine. Such slab fastening means (14, 18) include holes embedded on the surface of the slab (10). The slab is then fastened on the surface of the pit latrine by nails or screws through the holes. To enhance rigidity of the apparatus the slab (10) may be provided with a reinforcing skirting (26) around the perimeter. An important aspect of the apparatus is that it is easy to install and it can also be easily unfastened and relocated to a different pit latrine, for example in the event that a host pit latrine is filled up or is no longer in use.

A step (not shown) may be provided around the perimeter of the reinforcing skirting (26) to act a as level guide during installation of the apparatus on a floor surface of a pit latrine. Maintaining such a level guide allows the apparatus to be mounted such that the surface of the apparatus is at a level above the floor surface of the pit latrine, thus preventing or minimizing the likelihood of flow of dirt onto the surface of the apparatus. The level guide can be used a reference point for compacting cement or soil around the apparatus, where necessary, for example depending on the desired design of the pit latrine

The slab (10) is provided with a recessed trough (13, 20) between the foot surfaces (12, 17). As illustrated in Fig. 5, the recessed trough (13, 20) slants from the front side (19) and backside (15) of the slab (10) towards the drain hole (25) respectively. As illustrated in Fig. 6, the foot surfaces (12, 17) also slant towards the recessed trough (13, 20). The angle of slanting at the front side of the slab (10) towards the drain hole (25) is preferably 9° while the angle of slanting from the backside towards the drain hole (25) is preferably 4°. This design of the recessed trough and the slanting foot surfaces (12, 17) towards the drain hole is intended to enhances the flow of any liquid matter from the surface of the apparatus into the drain hole. This also makes it easy to clean the apparatus and improve the hygienic condition of a host pit latrine.

The recessed trough (13, 20) and the foot surfaces (12, 17) are configured such that inner walls (302,303) are defined thereof between each side of the foot surfaces (12, 17) and the recessed trough (13, 20). The inner walls (302, 303) are in particular obliquely angled towards the foot surfaces (12, 17) to allow for smooth and gradual movement of the lid (30) in a horizontal direction as illustrated in Fig.9.

With reference to Fig. 13 to 17, the lid (30) is provided, at the rear end, with a shaft (22). When the apparatus is assembled, the rear end of the lid is pivotally mounted through the shaft (22) on the plug (23). The design of the plug is such that the lid (30) can be removably mounted on the plug (23). This is suitable, for example, to allow for cleaning of the apparatus or for replacement of the lid (30). In one aspect of operation of the apparatus as illustrated in Fig. 8, the lid (30) can be moved by the user in a swivel movement in a vertical direction about the horizontal axis of the shaft (22). The lid (30) is therefore capable of swivelling up to 180° in the vertical direction from the closed position to the open position of the drain hole. The lid (30) is further provided with handle fastening means (28) for fastening a handle (21 ) to the lid (30). In a preferred embodiment, as illustrated in Fig. 13, the handle fastening means (28) comprise a recess capable of receiving a threaded handle. Preferably, the recess is threaded in commonly used thread size, for example, those used to thread water bottles so that in the event the handle is lost or destroyed a water bottle for example can be used as a replacement handle.

In operation, the handle is used to move the lid from the closed position to the open position of the drain hole and vice versa. Handles of various lengths can be made to cater for users, for example the elderly or the like, who for various reasons would have difficulties in opening the drain hole.

At the front end of the lid (30) there is provided a lip (31 ) projecting outwardly, such that a user can move the lid (30) to open and close the drain hole by hooking the foot under the lip (31 ). An example of the movement of the lid (30) using the foot is illustrated in Fig. 9. In a further aspect of the invention as illustrated in Fig. 17, underneath the lid (30), there is provided horizontal members (36) intersecting with cross members (37), with a lid wall (34) extending around the outer sides of the horizontal members (36) and cross members (37) to form a grid structure. The cross members (37) are provided with cut-out edges along the corners that are in contact with the recessed trough (13, 20) so that when the lid (30) is in a closed position (as shown in Fig. 6), the lid (30) lies flush with the surface of the recessed trough (13, 20). The lid is designed to close the drain hole firmly for purposes of preventing flies from getting in or out of the pit latrine through the drain hole. Thus, the apparatus of the present invention provides an ideal and hygienic environment for users as well for people in the surrounding environment.

Adjacent to the drain hole (25), the slab (10) is provided with a plughole (24) for receiving the plug (23) for mounting the lid (30) on the slab. The plug (23) is designed such that when it is fitted in the plughole, the lid (30) can moved relative to the slab (10) so as to open and close the drain hole (25). As illustrated in Fig. 10, 1 1 and 12, the plug (23) is provided, at the top side thereof, with a channel (231 ) and a groove (235). The shaft (22) can be removably fitted into the channel (231 ). The arrangement of the channel and the groove is such that the lid (30) is pivotally mounted on the plug (23) and therefore flexible enough to rotate about the vertical axis of the shaft. The groove (235) preferably runs along the length of the channel (231 ). The channel and the groove are designed to allow the shaft to snap fit into the plug, thus making it possible for the lid (30) to be removed easily from the plug (23).

The plug (23) is further provided with one or more lug members (230) projecting from the surface of the plug (23), such that when the plug (23) is mounted in the plughole (24) ( as shown on Fig. 5), the lug members (230) overlie the surface of the recessed trough (13) to retain the plug (23) in a position that prevents the plug (23) from sliding through the plughole (24). This configuration of the plug inside the plughole also enables the lid (30) to rotate about the axis of the shaft (22). The plug (23) is further provided, along the circumference of the bottom side, with a rim (232) and one or more cut outs (233). In addition, at the bottom side, the plug (23) is provided with a chamfer (234), This arrangement of the rim (232), the cut outs (233) and the chamfer (234) allows the plug (23) to compress as it is fitted into the plughole (24). Thus, the plug (23) can be removably mounted on the slab (10) and also rotate in a horizontal direction relative to the slab (10) when the lid (30) is moved in a horizontal direction. This configuration of the apparatus makes the lid (30) capable of rotating 360° relative to the slab (10).

The various parts of the apparatus are preferably made by injection moulding to provide a firm and solid apparatus. It should be appreciated to those skilled in the art that various modifications of the apparatus can be made to suit specific circumstances without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. As illustrated in Fig. 18 and 19 there is shown by way of example a modified apparatus that is designed to be cheaper and suitable for small sized latrines. The size of this embodiment is reduced to make it affordable to target market segment. The modified apparatus is made in trapezoidal or hexagonal shape to cut down on the material used but without affecting the functionality and sturdiness of the apparatus. In this embodiment, the slab fastening means (14) are located on the foot surfaces (12, 17) of the slab.

Other changes may be made in the details, especially with regard to shape, size and arrangements of parts within the scope of the invention to the full extent indicated by the appended claims.