WO2011080735A1

WO2011080735A1 - Folding toilet seat

Info

Publication number: WO2011080735A1
Application number: PCT/IL2010/001066
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hen Mizrachy
Original assignee: Hen Mizrachy
Priority date: 2009-12-31
Filing date: 2010-12-16
Publication date: 2011-07-07

Abstract

A seat designed to be placed over a regular toilet seat in order to adapt it to the dimensions of a small child or to be used as a toilet seat in outdoor situations. The seat comprises an elliptical ring-shaped frame that can be folded in two and has four folding legs that are attached to the underside of the elliptical frame. The elliptical frame comprises two semi-ellipse-shaped arcs that are joined together by means of a hinge and is hollow and open on its underside. The seat's legs are attached to the underside of the elliptical frame by means of hinges so that they can be folded into the cavity in the underside of the elliptical frame.

Description

Folding Toilet Seat

Description TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention refers to a folding toilet seat.

BACKGROUND ART

Special toilet seats are currently available for various purposes, especially for use with children. Such seats are placed over the regular toilet seat as a kind of adaptor between the size of the child and the size of the standard toilet seat, which is designed for adults. In addition, there are also toilet seats available that are designed for outdoor use by children. The toilet seat, subject of the present invention, is in fact an upgrade of existing products and is designed to be used both over an existing toilet seat and in outdoor situations.

THE INVENTION

The present invention refers to a seat (1) designed to be placed over a regular toilet seat so as to adapt it to the dimensions of a small child or to be used as a toilet seat in outdoor situations. The main objectives of the present invention are: (a) To provide a comfortable and efficient seat that can be placed over a regular toilet seat and used as a toilet seat for small children; (b) to provide a seat with four folding legs that when opened enables the seat to be used as a toilet seat in outdoor situations; (c) to provide a seat, as mentioned, that folds relatively small and can be carried in a bag (when going on nature hikes, for instance) or in the luggage compartment of a vehicle.

The seat (1), subject of the present invention, comprises a folding frame (2) and four folding legs (3).

The frame (2) has the shape of an elliptical ring and is made up of two main parts, each of which is arc-shaped. Drawing No. 1 depicts the frame (2), which is composed of a front arc (21) and a rear arc (22). The front arc (21) and the rear arc (22) are each shaped like half an oval/ellipse. In general, the dimensions of the two arcs (21) (22) are identical and when they are joined they form a frame (2) with a general shape of an ellipse.

The size of the frame (2) can vary, but the inventor believes that the major axis (the "long" diameter) of the frame (2) should be 37 cm long and the minor axis (the "short" diameter) should be 30 cm long. The frame should be about 10 thick and about 3 cm wide. Nevertheless, the invention and application refer to and cover other dimensions as well. The top part of the frame (2) is intended to be sat on by the user (small child) and so it should be rounded, as depicted in the drawings, to enhance sitting comfort. Along the back part of the frame (2) [in other words along the middle part of the rear arc (22)] is an elongated protrusion that serves as a support and a back rest when the seat (1) is in use. The two parts of the frame (2) [in other words the front arc (21) and the rear arc (22)] are permanently joined by two hinges (24) that enable the frame (2) to be folded.

As mentioned, the frame (2) is ellipse-shaped/oval. The frame (2) is hollow and open on the underside, so as to enable the legs (3) of the seat (1), which are attached to the underside, to be folded and concealed when the seat is not is use. The underside of the frame (2) is equipped with four rubber friction pads (25) positioned in four "corners", which help the seat (1) remain stable and in place on the toilet seat during use. The legs (3) of the seat (1) are attached to the underside of the frame (2). The seat has four legs (3). Each of the legs is attached to the frame (2) by means of a hinge (31) so that the legs (3) can be folded into the underside cavity of the frame (2). When the legs (3) are open, the seat (1) becomes a kind of stool. The legs (3) can be of various shapes and designs and in the drawings attached to the present application they are depicted as hollow cylinders that are slightly flattened to enable them to fold completely into the underside of the frame (2). The legs (3) are attached underside of the frame (2) by means of hinges (31). The hinges (31) are designed so that they lock when the legs are fully extended. Within each of the legs (3) is another cylinder (not shown in the drawings), such that when the seat is used in an outdoor situation, the legs can be extended telescopically as desired.

The frame (2) also has three perpendicular plates (26) that are attached to the underside. Two of the perpendicular plates (26) are attached on either side of the frame and the third is attached at the back of the frame.

The plates (26) are designed to fasten the seat (1) to the toilet seat by pressing against the inner perimeter of the toilet seat at three points. The plates (26) also have slits that enable the user to attach a bag when using the seat (1) in outdoor situations.

The seat (1) can be used either by placing it over a regular toilet seat, with the legs (3) are folded into the cavity in the underside of the frame (2), or in an outdoor situation, with the legs (3) open. The seat (1) can be folded as depicted in the drawings so that it can be carried in a bag or stored in the luggage compartment of a vehicle without taking up much space. Using the seat (1), subject of the present invention, offers many advantages: it can be used over a regular toilet seat, in outdoor situations, it folds small, and is very simple and efficient to use.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Drawings Nos. 1-3 depict the frame (2) of the seat (1) from above.

Drawings Nos. 4-7 depict the frame (2) of the seat (1) from below.

Drawing No. 8 presents a front side view of the frame (2) of the seat (1) (with legs folded).

Drawing No. 9 presents a rear side view of the frame (2) of the seat (1) (with legs folded).

Drawings Nos. 10-11 present a side view of the frame (2) of the seat (1).

Drawings Nos. 12-14 depict the seat (1) in folded position.

Claims

Claims What is claimed is:

1. A seat, designed to be placed over a regular toilet seat, that adapts the size of the regular toilet seat to the size of a small child and that can also serve as a toilet seat for use in outdoor situations. The seat comprises an elliptical, ring-shaped frame that can be folded in two and that has four folding legs attached to its underside.

2. The seat mentioned in Claim No. 1, whereby the said elliptical frame comprises two half-ellipse- shaped arcs that are joined together by means of a hinge and is hollow and open on the underside; and whereby the said legs are attached to the underside of the elliptical frame by means of hinges, so that they may be folded in the cavity in the underside of the elliptical frame.

3. The seat mentioned in Claim No. 2, whereby the said legs are shaped like hollow, flattened cylinders with another cylinder inside that can be extended telescopically; and whereby the elliptical frame has two or more perpendicular plates attached to the underside of the said frame that are designed to fasten the seat to the toilet seat; and whereby the underside of the elliptical frame is equipped with one or more rubber friction pads designed to help stabilize the said seat over the toilet seat.