The present invention relates to a hygienic/sanitary apparatus for cyclists.

It is known that during cycling races, which in some cases can last several hours, the athletes occasionally need to stop to urinate.

It being necessary to reduce the length of parking time to the minimum, and to not lose sight of the bicycles owing to the risk of theft or tampering, often cyclists are forced to urinate in open spaces, with the risk moreover of being seen.

This practice entails no small amount of drawbacks among which is the fact that situations can arise that are embarrassing for the cyclists themselves and also for other people nearby, which is absolutely unhygienic and also has a negative effect on the decorum of the sites that host the sports events.

The aim of the present invention is to eliminate the above mentioned drawbacks of the background art by providing a hygienic/sanitary apparatus for cyclists that ensures privacy, comfort and adequate conditions of hygiene for cyclists, without entailing a considerable lengthening of parking times, and which allows the cyclists to keep their bicycles under supervision.

Within this aim, an object of the present invention is to provide a hygienic/sanitary apparatus that helps to preserve the decorum and the conditions of hygiene of the sites where the sports events are held.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hygienic/sanitary apparatus that has a pleasing visual impact.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hygienic/sanitary apparatus that allows customizable layouts so as to also act as a vehicle for advertising.

Last but not least, another object of the present invention is to provide a hygienic/sanitary apparatus that has a simple structure that is easy and practical to implement, safe in use and effective in operation, and of low cost.

This aim and these and other objects which will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by the present hygienic/sanitary apparatus for cyclists according to the main claim below and which is optionally provided with one or more of the characteristics in the subsequent claims.

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become better apparent from the detailed description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a hygienic/sanitary apparatus for cyclists, which is illustrated for the purposes of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view from the front of a hygienic/sanitary apparatus for cyclists, according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view from the rear of the apparatus of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a perspective partial view from the front of the apparatus of Figure 1 with the functional wall and the collection means shown transparent, showing the rinsing means and the draining means;

Figure 4 is an enlarged-scale view of a portion of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a perspective view from the front and on an enlarged scale of a portion of functional wall with the corresponding rinsing means and the draining means;

Figure 6 is a plan view from above of the apparatus according to the invention;

Figure 7 is a front elevation view of the functional wall of the apparatus according to the invention with the corresponding collection means, rinsing means and draining means;

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VIII- VIII in Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IX-IX in Figure 7.

With reference to the figures, the reference numeral 1 generally designates a hygienic/ sanitary apparatus for cyclists.

The apparatus 1 comprises a structure 2 which defines a passage corridor 3 for users and is provided with at least one functional wall 4, collection means 5 for physiological liquids of the users associated with the functional wall 4, rinsing means 6 for rinsing the collection means 5 with a washing liquid, and draining means 7 for removing the physiological liquids and the washing liquid from the collection means 5.

The washing liquid can be water, optionally mixed with detergent and/or disinfectant substances.

In the embodiment shown, the corridor 3 is substantially straight. The corridor 3 preferably extends between an entry zone and an exit zone, both of which are open in order to allow the flow of users. Preferably the entry and exit zones are separate from each other. In this manner, users with their bicycles can enter through the entry zone, transit along the corridor 3 and, finally, leave through the exit zone. The possibility is not ruled out, however, that the corridor 3 could be blind or have a different shape structure.

The functional wall 4 preferably extends along the entire length of the corridor 3.

The arrangement of the functional wall 4 is substantially vertical.

In the present description the term “substantially” means “except for the usual machining and assembly tolerances”.

Furthermore, the functional wall 4 has a vertical extension that is at least equal to or higher than the height of the users, therefore in the order of magnitude of 2 meters.

Furthermore, the structure 2 can have a resting base 8, which acts as the floor of the corridor 3. Preferably the resting base 8 extends along the entire corridor 3 and can have access ramps at the entry and exit zones in order to facilitate the transit of users mounted on bicycles.

Furthermore, the structure 2 can have a delimiting wall 9 which faces the functional wall 4. The delimiting wall 9 is arranged spaced apart from the functional wall 4 in order to allow the transit of users with their bicycles. The delimiting wall 9 extends substantially parallel to the functional wall 4.

The arrangement of the delimiting wall 9 is substantially vertical. Furthermore, the delimiting wall 9 has a vertical extension that is at least equal to or higher than the height of the users, therefore in the order of magnitude of 2 meters.

In this manner the functional wall 4 and the delimiting wall 9, if present, prevent the users in transit along the corridor 3 from being seen from outside.

The delimiting wall 9 can also be blended with the resting base 8, if present.

Furthermore, the apparatus 1 can be provided with means, not shown, for supporting the bicycles belonging to the users, which are associated with the face of the delimiting wall 9 that is directed toward the inside of the corridor 3. Alternatively the bicycles can be leaned directly on the delimiting wall 9.

It should be noted that the visible surfaces, in particular from outside the corridor 3, of the functional wall 4 and of the delimiting wall 9, if present, can be personalized with advertising or decorative graphics in order to render the apparatus 1 aesthetically pleasing, as well as to be able to use it as a vehicle for communication.

At the mutually opposite ends, the functional wall 4 can be associated with end walls 10 which are transverse thereto, in order to further prevent the users from being seen from outside. Furthermore, such end walls 10 increase the stability of the structure 2. In this case the access openings 3a and 3b to the corridor 3 at the entry and exit zones are defined between the end walls 10 and the delimiting wall 9. The structure 2 can also have brackets 12 for supporting the delimiting wall 9.

Advantageously the structure 2 can be of the modular type in order to facilitate its assembly, disassembly and transport. In this case the functional wall 4 can be constituted by a plurality of panels 13 which are arranged in aligned adjacent pairs.

If the resting base 8 and the functional wall 9 are also present, the structure 2 of the modular type can comprise a plurality of U-shaped elements arranged one after the other to define the corridor 3, each U- shaped element comprising one of the above mentioned panels constituting the functional wall 4, a resting base 8 segment, and a delimiting wall 9 segment.

Such U-shaped elements can be constituted, for example, by a metallic frame covered with adapted multilayer materials. The U-shaped elements can be assembled in pairs using connection elements, which are not described since they are of conventional type.

The collection means 5 comprise at least one trough element 15 blended with the functional wall 4. The at least one trough element 15 is associated with the face of the functional wall 4 that is directed toward the corridor 3.

Preferably the at least one trough element 15 is defined integrally with the functional wall 4. The functional wall 4 with corresponding integrated trough element 15 can be provided, for example, from conveniently shaped sheet metal.

The at least one trough element 15 is constituted by an upward-curved wing that extends substantially horizontally.

The at least one trough element 15 is positioned at an elevation of approximately 1 meter from the ground or from the base element 8.

Furthermore, there can be a supporting wall 11 for the functional wall 4, arranged behind it. In the preferred embodiment, the functional wall 4 is constituted by panels 13, each one of which is associated or integral with a respective trough element 15 and is delimited at the ends by lateral facings 14.

Furthermore, the rinsing means 6 comprise at least one distribution element 16 of the washing liquid on the functional wall 4, arranged above the collection means 5. In this manner, the washing liquid exits from the at least one distribution element 16 and flows along the functional wall 4 until it reaches the collection means 5.

The at least one distribution element 16 comprises a feeder conduit for the washing liquid which is provided with a plurality of exit holes or openings for the liquid, which are distributed longitudinally, not shown in the figures. The feeder conduit 16 can be a single element that extends along the entire functional wall 4 or it can be divided into a plurality of segments which are associated with respective panels 13 and are mutually connected at the time of assembly of the apparatus 1.

The feeder conduit 16 can be inserted so that it passes through adapted openings defined in the lateral facings 14 of the panels 13.

Furthermore, the rinsing means 6 comprise at least one storage tank 17 for washing liquid which is associated with pumping means 18 of that liquid which are in fluid communication with the feeder conduit 16.

Preferably there can be two storage tanks 17 which are connected mutually in series and to the feeder conduit 16.

The draining means 7 comprise at least one evacuation port 19 of the physiological liquids and of the washing liquid, which is associated with the at least one trough element 15 and is connected to a transfer conduit 20 for these liquids.

Preferably there is a plurality of evacuation ports 19 arranged on the bottom of the trough element 15 and distributed along it. Each evacuation port 19 is connected to the transfer conduit 20 arranged below, via a respective trap 21. In the preferred embodiment, each trough element 15 associated with a corresponding panel 13 is provided with a respective evacuation port 19.

The transfer conduit 20 can be a single element that extends along the entire functional wall 4 or it can be divided into a plurality of segments which are mutually connected at the time of installation of the apparatus 1 if the structure 2 is of the modular type.

Furthermore, the draining means 7 comprise at least one collection tank 22 for the physiological liquids and the washing liquid, which is associated with suction means 23 which are in fluid communication with the transfer conduit 20.

Advantageously there can be a generator 24 of electric current for the electric power supply of the pumping means 18 and of the suction means 23, the electrical wiring of the apparatus 1 not being shown since it is conventional.

In addition, preferably there are sensor means 25 for detecting the presence of at least one user along the corridor 3 for the activation of the pumping means 18 and of the suction means 23.

Such sensor means 25 can have, for example, a photocell positioned at the entrance to the corridor 3.

In practice it has been found that the invention as described achieves the intended aim and objects and, in particular, attention is drawn to the fact that the apparatus according to the invention enables users to stop to attend to physiological needs in a reserved area and with optimal conditions of hygiene, while keeping the time required for parking to the minimum and while monitoring their bicycles.

Furthermore, the apparatus according to the invention also avoids the occurrence of unpleasant or embarrassing situations for the spectators at sports events, and avoids offending propriety at the sites where they are held.

The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims.

Moreover, all the details may be substituted by other, technically equivalent elements. In practice the materials employed, as well as the contingent dimensions and shapes, may be any according to requirements without for this reason departing from the scope of protection claimed herein.

The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. 102022000002489 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.