US20150272408A1

US20150272408A1 - Portable toilet seat for children

Info

Publication number: US20150272408A1
Application number: US14/720,218
Authority: US
Inventors: Laurie Smith Hall
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-03-25
Filing date: 2015-05-22
Publication date: 2015-10-01

Abstract

A portable toilet set having a base, a foldable stand and a pivoting lid is provided. The base includes a top surface, a bottom surface, an outer edge, and an inner edge. The inner edge forms an opening through the base. The stand is pivotally connected to the base and may include a deployed position and a retracted position. The deployed position includes the stand pivoting away from the base and operable to support the base in an elevated position. The retracted position includes the stand pivoting towards the base. The lid is pivotally connected to the base and includes an open position and a closed position. The open position includes the lid pivoting away from the base and exposing the opening. The closed position includes the lid pivoting towards the base and covering the opening.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 61/970,075, filed Mar. 25, 2014, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to toilet training and, more particularly, to a portable toilet training device.
Currently, children's toilet training devices or potties are bulky and do not fold up. They are not meant to be portable or on-the-go. When children use public toilets or toilets in residential settings, they may be subjected to a lack of comfort and/or sanitation.
As can be seen, there is a need for a toilet training device that may be used in the home and conveniently folded up and used at other locations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a portable toilet seat comprises: a base comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, an outer edge, and an inner edge, wherein the inner edge forms an opening through the base; a stand pivotally connected to the base and comprising a deployed position and a retracted position, wherein the deployed position comprises the stand pivoting away from the base and operable to support the base in an elevated position, wherein the retracted position comprises the stand pivoting towards the base; and a lid pivotally connected to the base and comprising an open position and a closed position, wherein the open position comprises the lid pivoting away from the base and exposing the opening, wherein the closed position comprises the lid pivoting towards the base and covering the opening.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front top perspective view of the present invention shown in a retracted and closed position;

FIG. 2 is a rear top perspective view of the present invention shown in a retracted and closed position;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the present invention shown in a retracted and closed position;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the present invention shown in a retracted and closed position;

FIG. 5 is a rear bottom perspective view of the present invention shown in a retracted and closed position;

FIG. 6 is a front top perspective view of the present invention shown in a deployed and open position;

FIG. 7 is a rear top perspective view of the present invention shown in a deployed and open position;

FIG. 8 is a rear bottom perspective view of the present invention shown in a deployed and open position;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the present invention along line 9-9 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a carry bag of the present invention; and

FIG. 12 is an exploded view of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.
Referring to FIGS. 1 through 12, the present invention includes a portable toilet set having a base 10, a stand 24 and a lid 18. The base 10 includes a top surface, a bottom surface, an outer edge, and an inner edge. The inner edge forms an opening 12 through the base 10. The stand 24 is pivotally connected to the base 10 and may include a deployed position and a retracted position. The deployed position includes the stand 24 pivoting away from the base 10 and operable to support the base 10 in an elevated position. The retracted position includes the stand 24 pivoting towards the base 10. The lid 18 is pivotally connected to the base 10 and includes an open position and a closed position. The open position includes the lid 18 pivoting away from the base 10 and exposing the opening 12. The closed position includes the lid 18 pivoting towards the base 10 and covering the opening.
The lid 18 of the present invention may be pivotally connected to the top surface of the base 10 by hinges 26. The lid 18 may be connected to the top surface near the outer edge of the base 10. In certain embodiments, the lid 18 may include stoppers 28 located near the hinge 26. Therefore, when the lid 18 is pivoted to the open position, the stoppers 28 may rest against the outer edge of the base 10 and prevent the lid 18 from pivoting more than 90 degrees relative to the base 10.
The stand 24 of the present invention may include two legs pivotally connected to the bottom surface of the base 10. The folded position may include the legs being substantially parallel with the base 10, and thereby in a compressed form and easily transportable. The deployed position may include the legs being substantially perpendicular with the base 10 and protruding from the bottom surface of the base 10. In certain embodiments, the base 10 may include a recessed portion 14. The legs may fit within the recessed portion 14 in the retracted position, thereby making the present invention more compressed.
In certain embodiments, the present invention may include a seat cushion 22. The seat cushion 22 may secure to the top surface and include an opening aligned with the opening 12 of the base 10. In certain embodiments, the seat cushion 22 may be releasably attachable by a connector 16 to the top surface so that the seat cushion 22 may be removed and cleaned. The connector 16 may be a hook and loop fastener, snap buttons, clips, straps and the like. The lid 18 may include an indent 20 to fit the cushion 22 within when the lid 18 is in the closed position.
The present invention may include a carry bag 30. The carry bag 30 may easily store the portable toilet seat within when the portable toilet seat is in a closed and retracted position. When the user is ready to use the present invention, the portable toilet seat is removed from the carry bag 30. The stand 24 is pivoted to the deployed position. The stand 24 may rest on surface, thereby supporting the base 10 in an elevated position from the surface. A bag 32 may be secured in between the seat cushion 22 and the upper surface of the base 10, hanging out of the opening from the bottom surface. The lid 18 may be opened and the child may use the toilet seat. Once the child is finished, the bag 32 may be removed, the toilet seat may be placed in the closed and retracted position, and the toilet seat may be placed within the carry bag 30.
The device may be made with plastic, wood or any suitable material. The plurality of legs and the lid may be attached by a metal or plastic hinge. The seat cushion may be made from plastic, foam and the like. The width and length of the components may vary. In certain embodiments, the base may be approximately nine inches by approximately ten inches. In certain embodiments, the plurality of legs may be approximately four inches in length. Total height with the lid covering the base may be approximately six inches to approximately seven inches.
The device may be a training tool which may allow a child the ability to use a familiar toilet which may also be used in the home. The device may replace the conventional toilet because it can be folded up. The device may be stored into a convenient antibacterial carrying bag. The device may be used in commercial and residential restrooms as well as other settings. The device may be light weight and portable, fitting under strollers, carried on the shoulder similar to a laptop bag. In certain embodiments, the device may also be a step stool. With the lid in the down position, the device may provide sturdy support for a child to stand on in order to reach the sink to wash their hands.
It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A portable toilet seat comprising:

a base comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, an outer edge, and an inner edge, wherein the inner edge forms an opening through the base;

a stand pivotally connected to the base and comprising a deployed position and a retracted position, wherein the deployed position comprises the stand pivoting away from the base and operable to support the base in an elevated position, wherein the retracted position comprises the stand pivoting towards the base; and

a lid pivotally connected to the base and comprising an open position and a closed position, wherein the open position comprises the lid pivoting away from the base and exposing the opening, wherein the closed position comprises the lid pivoting towards the base and covering the opening.

2. The portable toilet seat of claim 1, wherein the lid is pivotally connected to the top surface of the base.

3. The portable toilet seat of claim 1, wherein the stand is pivotally connected to the bottom surface of the base.

4. The portable toilet seat of claim 1, wherein the stand comprises a first leg and a second leg pivotally connected to the bottom surface of the base.

5. The portable toilet seat of claim 4, wherein the base comprises a recessed portion, wherein the first leg and the second leg are within the recessed portion in the retracted position.

6. The portable toilet seat of claim 1, wherein the lid further comprises at least one stopper operable to prevent the lid from pivoting more than 90 degrees from the base.

7. The portable toilet seat of claim 1, further comprising a seat cushion comprising an opening aligned with the opening of the base, wherein the seat cushion is releasably attachable to the top surface.

8. The portable toilet seat of claim 1, further comprising a bag releasably attachable to the base and positioned to cover the opening formed through the bottom surface.