US20180352876A1

US20180352876A1 - Private Potty-Training Belt

Info

Publication number: US20180352876A1
Application number: US16/003,053
Authority: US
Inventors: Gail M. Hayes; Rickey Lynn Hayes
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-06-07
Filing date: 2018-06-07
Publication date: 2018-12-13

Abstract

A private potty-training belt is a garment that provides privacy to the wearer and compartments which allow the wearer to access distracting objects such as, but no limited to, toys. The private potty-training belt includes a waist garment and a plurality of pockets. The waist garment can be wrapped around the waist of an individual such as a child learning to utilize the toilet. The waist garment additionally conceals the area below the waist of the individual which provides privacy to the individual when utilizing the toilet. The plurality of pockets provides compartments which can carry objects such as, but not limited to, toys. The objects, placed inside of the plurality of pockets, can be easily accessed by the wearing individual which keeps the wearing individual occupied when utilizing the toilet.

Description

The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 62/516,336 filed on Jun. 7, 2017.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to children's garments and children's training accessories. More specifically, the present invention is a private potty-training belt that provides privacy to the wearer and compartments which allow the wearer to access distracting objects such as, but not limited to, toys.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is a common stage for children to go through toilet training after they have grown and are ready to stop using diapers. Parents usually start training their children to use the toilet through various methods. Generally, parents first introduce children to the idea of using a toilet when the children need to urinate or defecate. Then, the parents show the children how to use it and often they buy special devices that accommodate the body of a child for the child to sit on the toilet. During the early stages of toilet training, children often are distracted or fail to do their natural needs as they are not accustomed to using the toilet. After some time, the children get accustomed to use the toilet but are still distracted or feel awkward at being watched by an adult. Further, when the children use a toilet away from home, the children feel more uncomfortable and require extra encouragement for the children to feel secure to use a strange toilet. Now, toilet or “potty” training devices have been introduced to help parents train their children to use a toilet when the children need to urinate and/or defecate. Most potty-training devices provide a device for the children to sit on during the potty training and multiple toys or activities to distract the children while they are using the toilet. However, most of those potty-training devices are not very portable, are not worn by the children, and lack a method to provide privacy to children while they are using the toilet. Other devices or garments do offer some privacy to children or adults that can be worn when they change clothes or use the toilet. However, they lack activities or methods to distract the children while the children use the toilet. So, there is a need for a device that provides privacy to children while they are using the toilet and that also provides some activities or distractions, so the children are distracted while they are using the toilet.
An objective of the present invention is to provide a private potty-training belt which can be worn by a child and provides privacy to the child while the child is using the toilet. A garment that provides privacy to the child is beneficial to both children and parents as children often want some privacy while using the toilet as they are not accustomed to use the toilet or to be supervised by an adult while using the toilet. Further, a garment that can be worn by the child is beneficial to both children and parents as the parents would not have to hold the device while the child is using the toilet, which then frees the parents to do other things or to better supervise the children. In addition, it would give more independency to the children as the children would eventually have to use the toilet by themselves. Another objective of the present invention is to provide a private potty-training belt that provides activities or distractions for the children to play with while the children are using the toilet. A garment that provides activities or distractions to children while they are using the toilet is beneficial to the children and parents as children are easily distracted by things happening around them and parents have to spend less time keeping their children focused on using the toilet. Another objective of the present invention is to provide a private potty-training belt that can be easily put on children and can be comfortably carried around by the parent. A garment that is easy to transport and easy to put on the child is beneficial to both parents and children as parents often have to rush to get their children ready to use the toilet while they are potty training. In addition, a garment that can be comfortably transported is beneficial to parents as oftentimes parents have to carry many things necessary for the children when the family is going out. Another objective of the present invention is to provide a private potty-training belt that allows the parent to check if the child has finished using the toilet. Allowing the parents to check if the children are done using the toilet without having to remove the garment is useful as oftentimes children can take a long time to finish using the toilet and children do not usually tell the parents that they are done. Another objective of the present invention is to provide a private potty-training belt which comprises all mentioned benefits and are also beneficial to preschoolers and daycare providers. The present invention is beneficial to not just parents and children but preschoolers and daycare providers. Additional advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Additional advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the detailed description of the invention section. Further benefits and advantages of the embodiments of the invention will become apparent from consideration of the following detailed description given with reference to the accompanying drawings, which specify and show preferred embodiments of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention displaying a lifted privacy cover.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the present invention displaying the electrical connections.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the present invention displaying the electronic connections.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
In reference to FIGS. 1 through 7, the present invention is a private potty-training belt that provides privacy to the wearer and compartments which allow the wearer to access distracting items such as, but not limited to, toys. The present invention provides privacy to the wearer while the wearer is utilizing the toilet. The present invention is a practical and easy to use garment which helps parents, guardians, or caretakers train children to use the toilet when they need to defecate and/or urinate. The present invention is comfortable to transport and can be used anywhere whenever the child needs to use the toilet. The present invention allows parents to easily supervise the child while the child is using the toilet. The present invention comprises a waist garment 1 and a plurality of pockets 10. The waist garment 1 conceals the area below the waist of the wearer. The plurality of pockets 10 provides compartments which can carry items such as, but not limited to, toys that provide a means of distracting and occupying the child while he or she is using the toilet.
The general configuration of the aforementioned components allows the present invention to conceal the private parts of the wearer and to distract the wearer with items that can be placed inside the plurality of pockets 10. As seen in FIG. 1, the waist garment 1 comprises a belt strap 2 and a privacy cover 5. The belt strap 2 provides a garment that can be wrapped of the waist of the wearer which prevents the present invention from falling below the waist of the wearer. The belt strap 2 may be composed of any material such as, but not limited to, elastic material, rubber, nylon, string, and other similar material. The privacy cover 5 conceals the private parts of the wearer when utilizing the present invention. The privacy cover 5 may be composed of any material such as, but not limited to, cloth, nylon, paper, and other similar material. The privacy cover 5 comprises a fixed edge 6, a free edge 7, an inner surface 8, and an outer surface 9. The fixed edge 6 is laterally connected to the belt strap 2. This arrangement allows the privacy cover 5 to efficiently conceal the private parts of the wearer when the belt strap 2 is around the waist of the wearer. The plurality of pockets 10 is distributed about the waist garment 1 to provide the wearer and parent with a multitude of receptacles for holding and storing of various items. In particular, the plurality of pockets 10 is externally connected to the waist garment 1. This arrangement allows the plurality of pockets 10 to be easily accessed by the wearer of the present invention. The present invention can be worn by an individual such as, but not limited to, a child learning to use the toilet. The belt strap 2 is wrapped around the waist of the wearer and the privacy cover 5 should be oriented to conceal the area below the waist of the wearer. Objects such as, but not limited to, toys can be placed inside of the plurality of pockets 10. When using a toilet, the wearer can freely urinate and/or defecate while wearing the present invention while the privacy cover 5 conceals private area of the wearer. Additionally, while using the toilet, the wearer can be occupied by the objects from the plurality of pockets 10.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, in one embodiment, the present invention is designed for female wearers. For this, the belt strap 2 comprises a front segment 4 and a rear segment 3. The front segment 2 wraps around the belly, or front portion, of the wearer while the rear segment 4 wraps around the rear portion of the wearer. The fixed edge 6 traverses along the front segment 4 and the rear segment 3 to yield a shroud-like design which covers the front and rear portion of the wearer. The privacy cover further comprises a buttock opening 30. The buttock opening 30 allows a female wearer to freely defecate while wearing the present invention and using the toilet. The buttock opening 30 is positioned adjacent to the rear segment 3. In further detail, this embodiment provides a skirt for a female wearer of the present invention. Additionally, the plurality of pockets 10 is positioned across the outer surface 9. This arrangement positions the plurality of pockets 10 where the wearer can comfortably and easily access the items placed inside the plurality of pockets 10.
As seen in FIG. 2, the present invention may further comprise a viewing slit 13. The viewing slit 13 is a vertical cut in the privacy cover 5 to allow the guardian, parent, or caretaker of the wearer to check if the wearer has finished using the toilet. The viewing slit 13 is positioned adjacent to the front segment 4 and traverses through the privacy cover 5. This arrangement allows the parent, guardian, or caretaker of the wearer to visually see inside the toilet through the privacy cover 5 by simply parting the viewing slit 13.
As seen in FIG. 2, the present invention may further comprise a slit fastener 14. The slit fastener 14 ensures that the viewing slit 13 stays closed when necessary and does not accidentally open due to the wearer's natural movements. Additionally, the slit fastener 14 allows the parent, guardian, or caretaker of the wearer to open or close the viewing slit 13 when desired. The slit fastener 14 may be any type of fastener such as, but not limited to, hook-and-loop fasteners, buttons, a zipper, and other similar mechanisms. In general, the slit fastener 14 comprises a first interlocking portion 15 and a second interlocking portion 16. The first interlocking portion 15 and the second interlocking portion 16 are connected to the privacy cover 5, within the viewing slit 13. More specifically, the first interlocking portion 15 is positioned adjacent to the viewing slit 13. The second interlocking is positioned adjacent to the viewing slit 13, opposite to the first interlocking portion 15 across the viewing slit 13. This arrangement allows the parent, guardian, or caretaker of the wearer to easily open or close the viewing slit 13 through the slit fastener 14
Referring to FIGS. 3 through 5, in another embodiment, the present invention is intended for male wearers. For this, the fixed edge 6 traverses along the front segment 4 only. This arrangement allows the privacy cover 5 to conceal of the frontal area below the waist of the wearer. In further detail, this embodiment provides a flap for a male wearer of the present invention. When the male wearer needs to urinate, the privacy cover 5 may be lifted up by the free edge 7. The back area of the below the waist of the wearer is exposed to allow the male wearer to defecate when sitting on a toilet. The parent, guardian, or caretaker of the wearer may lift up the privacy cover 5, when the male wearer is sitting on the toilet, to check if the male wearer is finished utilizing the toilet. In further detail, this embodiment provides a flap for a male wearer of the present invention.
Referring to FIGS. 3 through 5, in one embodiment, the present invention may be implemented in a short-like design to provide the wearer additional coverage and protection. The waist garment may further comprise a first leg strap 17, a second leg strap 18, a first leg sleeve 21, and a second leg sleeve 22. The first leg strap 17 and the second leg strap 18 each comprise a proximal end 19 and a distal end 20. The first leg strap 17 and the second leg strap 18 are positioned opposite to each other along the front segment 4 to provide symmetrical support. The proximal end 19 is laterally connected to the belt strap 2. The distal end 20 of the first leg strap 17 is laterally connected to the first leg sleeve 21. Similarly, the distal end 20 of the second leg strap 18 is laterally connected to the second leg sleeve 22. This arrangement provides a short-like garment for a male wearer in which the upper thighs of the male wearer are conceal. Additionally, the first leg sleeve 21 and the second leg sleeve 22 provide another means to prevent the present invention from falling down when worn. Furthermore, the first leg sleeve 21 and the second leg sleeve 22 provide additional surface for the plurality of pockets 10. In particular, the plurality of pockets 10 is laterally connected to the first leg sleeve 21 and the second leg sleeve 22. This arrangement positions the plurality of pockets 10 where the male wearer can easily access items placed inside of the plurality of pockets 10. More specifically, in this embodiment, the plurality of pockets 10 further comprises a first pocket 11 and a second pocket 12. The first pocket 11 is laterally mounted to the first leg sleeve 21. The first pocket 11 is positioned adjacent to the first leg sleeve 21, opposite the second leg sleeve 22. The second pocket 12 is laterally mounted to the second leg sleeve 22. The second pocket 12 is positioned adjacent to the second leg sleeve 22, opposite the first leg sleeve 21. This arrangement allows the male wearer to easily access items placed inside the first pocket 11 and the second pocket 12 and therefore be occupied when utilizing the toilet.
Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the present invention may further comprise a plurality of illumination devices 23. The plurality of illumination devices 23 may be any type of lights such as, but not limited to, LED lights. The privacy cover 5 may be composed of translucent material which allows the light produced by the plurality of illumination devices 23 to pass through the privacy cover 5. The plurality of illumination devices 23 distracts and keeps the wearer occupied while the wearer is using the toilet. The plurality of illumination devices 23 is mounted in between the inner surface 8 and the outer surface 9. Additionally, the plurality of illumination devices 23 is distributed across the privacy cover 5. In more detail, the plurality of illumination devices 23 can be arranged in a variety of patterns for aesthetic purposes. To control the plurality of illumination devices 23, the present invention further comprises a control unit 24, and a battery 25. The control unit 24 allows the wearer to control the plurality of illumination devices 23 while utilizing the toilet; i.e. turn on and off or implement a specific light pattern by the plurality of illumination devices 23 The battery 25 provides power to the control unit 24 and to the plurality of illumination devices 23. The battery 25 is mounted in between the inner surface 8 and the outer surface 9. The control unit 24 is mounted onto the outer surface 9. The battery 25 is electrically connected to the plurality of illumination devices 23 and the control unit 24. The control unit 24 is electronically connected to the plurality of illumination devices 23.
With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the present invention may further comprise at least one audio device 26. The at least one audio device 26 may be any type of audio device such as, but not limited to, a small waterproof speaker or a squeaker. Similar to the plurality of illumination devices 23, the at least one audio device 26 serves the purpose of distracting and keeping the wearer occupied while the wearer is using the toilet. The at least one audio device 26 is mounted in between the inner surface 8 and the outer surface 9. The at least one audio device 26 is oriented towards the outer surface 9.
The control unit 24 and the battery 25 used to control the power the plurality of illumination devices 23 is also used to control and power the at least one audio device 26. The battery 25 being electrically connected to the at least one audio device 26 and the control unit 24. The control unit 24 is electronically connected to the at least one audio device 26.
As seen in FIGS. 3 through 5, the present invention may further comprise a belt fastener 27. The belt fastener 27 allows the parent, guardian, or caretaker of the wearer to wrap and securely attach or detach and remove the present invention off the waist of the wearer. The belt fastener 27 comprises a first interlocking piece 28 and a second interlocking piece 29. The first interlocking piece 28 is terminally connected to the belt strap 2. The second interlocking piece 29 is terminally connected to the belt strap 2, opposite to the first interlocking piece 28. This allows the parent, guardian, or caretaker to remove the present invention without having to slide the present invention off of the wearer.
Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A private potty-training belt comprises:

a waist garment;

a plurality of pockets;

the waist garment comprises a belt strap and a privacy cover;

the privacy cover comprises a fixed edge, a free edge, an inner surface, and an outer surface;

the plurality of pockets being distributed about the waist garment;

each of the plurality of pockets being externally connected to the waist garment; and

the fixed edge being laterally connected to the belt strap.

2. The private potty-training belt as claimed in claim 1 comprises:

the belt strap comprises a front segment and a rear segment;

the privacy cover further comprises a buttock opening;

the fixed edge traversing along the front segment and the rear segment;

the buttock opening being positioned adjacent to the rear segment; and

the plurality of pockets being positioned across the outer surface.

3. The private potty-training belt as claimed in claim 2 comprises:

a viewing slit;

the viewing slit being positioned adjacent to the front segment; and

the viewing slit traversing through the privacy cover.

4. The private potty-training belt as claimed in claim 3 comprises:

a slit fastener;

the slit fastener comprises a first interlocking portion and a second interlocking portion;

the first interlocking portion and the second interlocking portion being connected to the privacy cover;

the first interlocking portion being positioned adjacent to the viewing slit; and

the second interlocking portion being positioned adjacent to the viewing slit, opposite to the first interlocking portion across the viewing slit.

5. The private potty-training belt as claimed in claim 1 comprises:

the belt strap comprises a front segment and a rear segment; and

the fixed edge traversing along the front segment.

6. The private potty-training belt as claimed in claim 5 comprises:

the waist garment comprises a first leg strap, a second leg strap, a first leg sleeve, and a second leg sleeve;

the first leg strap and the second leg strap each comprise a proximal end and a distal end;

the first leg strap and the second leg strap being positioned opposite to each other along the front segment;

the proximal end being laterally connected to the belt strap;

the distal end of the first leg strap being laterally connected to the first leg sleeve;

the distal end of the second leg strap being laterally connected to the second leg sleeve; and

the plurality of pockets being laterally connected to the first leg sleeve and the second leg sleeve.

7. The private potty-training belt as claimed in claim 6 comprises:

the plurality of pockets comprises a first pocket;

the first pocket being laterally mounted to the first leg sleeve; and

the first pocket being positioned adjacent to the first leg sleeve.

8. The private potty-training belt as claimed in claim 6 comprises:

the plurality of pockets comprises a second pocket;

the second pocket being laterally mounted to the second leg sleeve; and

the second pocket being positioned adjacent to the second leg sleeve.

9. The private potty-training belt as claimed in claim 1 comprises:

the privacy cover being made of a translucent material;

a plurality of illumination devices;

the plurality of illumination devices being mounted in between the inner surface and the outer surface; and

the plurality of illumination devices being distributed across the privacy cover.

10. The private potty-training belt as claimed in claim 9 comprises:

a control unit;

a battery;

the battery being mounted in between the inner surface and the outer surface;

the control unit being mounted onto the outer surface;

the battery being electrically connected to the plurality of illumination devices and the control unit; and

the control unit being electronically connected to the plurality of illumination devices.

11. The private potty-training belt as claimed in claim 1 comprises:

at least one audio device;

the at least one audio device being mounted in between the inner surface and the outer surface; and

the at least one audio device being oriented towards the outer surface.

12. The private potty-training belt as claimed in claim 11 comprises:

a control unit;

a battery;

the battery being mounted in between the inner surface and the outer surface;

the control unit being mounted onto the outer surface;

the battery being electrically connected to the at least one audio device and the control unit; and

the control unit being electronically connected to the at least one audio device.

13. The private potty-training belt as claimed in claim 1 comprises:

a belt fastener;

the belt fastener comprises a first interlocking piece and a second interlocking piece;

the first interlocking piece being terminally connected to the belt strap; and

the second interlocking piece being terminally connected to the belt strap, opposite to the first interlocking piece.

14. A private potty-training belt comprises:

a waist garment;

a plurality of pockets;

the waist garment comprises a belt strap and a privacy cover;

the belt strap comprises a front segment and a rear segment the plurality of pockets being distributed about the waist garment;

each of the plurality of pockets being externally connected to the waist garment;

the fixed edge being laterally connected to the belt strap;

the belt strap comprises a front segment and a rear segment; and

the fixed edge traversing along the front segment.

15. The private potty-training belt as claimed in claim 14 comprises:

the proximal end being laterally connected to the belt strap;

16. The private potty-training belt as claimed in claim 15 comprises:

the plurality of pockets comprises a first pocket;

the first pocket being laterally mounted to the first leg sleeve; and

the first pocket being positioned adjacent to the first leg sleeve.

17. The private potty-training belt as claimed in claim 15 comprises:

the plurality of pockets comprises a second pocket;

the second pocket being laterally mounted to the second leg sleeve; and

the second pocket being positioned adjacent to the second leg sleeve.

18. The private potty-training belt as claimed in claim 14 comprises:

the privacy cover being made of a translucent material;

a plurality of illumination devices at least one audio device;

the plurality of illumination devices being mounted in between the inner surface and the outer surface;

the plurality of illumination devices being distributed across the privacy cover;

the at least one audio device being oriented towards the outer surface.

19. The private potty-training belt as claimed in claim 18 comprises:

a control unit;

a battery;

the battery being mounted in between the inner surface and the outer surface;

the control unit being mounted onto the outer surface;

the battery being electrically connected to the plurality of illumination devices, at least one audio device and the control unit; and

the control unit being electronically connected to the plurality of illumination devices and the at least one audio device.

20. The private potty-training belt as claimed in claim 14 comprises:

a belt fastener;

the first interlocking piece being terminally connected to the belt strap; and