Dual mode toilet assembly

An on-board interior space structure comprising:

• at least one passenger section for accommodating passengers;
• and
• at least one passenger lavatory unit comprising an enclosing structure at least partly enclosing a lavatory space, and a toilet assembly arranged inside the lavatory space, the toilet assembly comprising:
• a load bearing base unit;
• a toilet bowl for receiving and discharging material, the toilet bowl supported by the base unit;
• support structures coupled to the base unit and comprising two lateral support surfaces;
• and
• a one-piece shroud structure that is a separate and distinct component from the toilet bowl, the shroud structure configured to support a user during use of the toilet assembly and configured to cover the toilet bowl, the shroud structure having an interface section for a functional connection with the toilet bowl, and the shroud structure removably connected to the toilet bowl and the base unit;
• wherein the toilet assembly is provided as a hybrid toilet configured to be used as a sitting toilet in a first mode of use, and as a squatting toilet in a second mode of use;
• wherein the shroud structure comprises a toilet seat integrated therein and having an upper edge at least partly surrounding an upper opening of the toilet bowl, the toilet seat allowing the user to adopt a sitting position during the first mode of use;
• wherein a feet placing area is provided on a floor segment in front of the toilet assembly to allow the user to adopt the sitting position during the first mode of use;
• wherein the shroud structure comprises two lateral tread portions integrated therein, one on either side of the toilet bowl, and, for allowing the user to adopt a squatting position during the second mode of use, the lateral tread portions are provided as elevated rest-platforms, which are arranged on an intermediate level provided above a floor level and below a toilet seat level;
• wherein the lateral support surfaces abut the shroud structure below the lateral tread portions to transfer load;
• and
• wherein the least one passenger lavatory unit is accessible from the at least one passenger section.

A vehicle, comprising:

• a body structure;
• and
• at least one on-board interior space having at least one lavatory unit comprising an enclosing structure at least partly enclosing a lavatory space, and a toilet assembly arranged inside the lavatory space, the toilet assembly comprising:
• a load bearing base unit;
• a toilet bowl for receiving and discharging material, the toilet bowl supported by the base unit;
• support structures coupled to the base unit and comprising two lateral support surfaces;
• and
• a one-piece shroud structure that is a separate and distinct component from the toilet bowl, the shroud structure configured to support a user during use of the toilet assembly and configured to cover the toilet bowl, the shroud structure having an interface section for a functional connection with the toilet bowl, and the shroud structure removably connected to the toilet bowl and the base unit;
• wherein the toilet assembly is provided as a hybrid toilet configured to be used as a sitting toilet in a first mode of use, and as a squatting toilet in a second mode of use;
• wherein the shroud structure comprises a toilet seat integrated therein and having an upper edge at least partly surrounding an upper opening of the toilet bowl, the toilet seat allowing the user to adopt a sitting position during the first mode of use;
• wherein a feet placing area is provided on a floor segment in front of the toilet assembly to allow the user to adopt the sitting position during the first mode of use;
• wherein the shroud structure comprises two lateral tread portions integrated therein, one on either side of the toilet bowl, and, for allowing the user to adopt a squatting position during the second mode of use, the lateral tread portions are provided as elevated rest-platforms, which are arranged on an intermediate level provided above a floor level and below a toilet seat level;
• wherein the lateral support surfaces abut the shroud structure below the lateral tread portions to transfer load;
• wherein the vehicle is provided as at least one of the group of a train carriage, a coach, and an aircraft;
• and
• wherein the at least one on-board interior space is provided by the body structure.