Baths – closets – sinks – and spittoons – Dry closets – Receptacle type
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-03
2002-04-30
Walczak, David J. (Department: 3751)
Baths, closets, sinks, and spittoons
Dry closets
Receptacle type
C004S479000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06378143
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to commodes and, more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a novel foldable commode. The present invention concerns commodes in general, and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to chair commodes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Persons who are infirm, disabled, invalid, or physically limited in some way, even if only temporarily, often must use a commode.
One primary consideration for such a commode is the space available in the room, building, or facility for maneuvering, positioning, and/or storing the device. Typically, a user is faced with a minimum of open space or storage space. While maneuvering the commode, the user or caretaker would likely collide with nearby furniture, a wall, or a fixture. The transporting of the commode into and out of a particular area becomes a necessity when other users of the area cannot, or do not wish to, utilize the assistance of the commode.
Furthermore, such a commode should be relatively self-contained in order to reduce or prevent excessive protruding or extending of various portions of the device, thereby minimizing unintentional contact between the device and the user and/or the often cramped surroundings.
Moreover, such a device should be capable of manipulation by a single user without the aid of tools.
One object of the present invention is to provide a foldable commode which is easy to use and maneuver.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a foldable commode which adequately supports a user.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a foldable commode which is deployable by a single user without tools.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a foldable commode which is self-contained.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a foldable commode which is not unwieldy, and which is convenient to use in a cramped setting.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a foldable commode which can lie generally flat when folded.
Other objects of the present invention, as well as particular features, elements, and advantages thereof, will be elucidated in, or be apparent from, the following description and the accompanying drawing figures.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In a first aspect, the present invention provides a foldable commode comprising a foldable frame, the foldable frame including: a first leg means having a top portion and a bottom portion; a second leg means having a top portion and a bottom portion, wherein the first and second leg means are pivotally attached to one another intermediate respective top and bottom portions; and a platform having a front end, a rear end, a top, and a bottom, the platform including an attachment member disposed on the bottom surface which defines a race for receiving the top portion of the first leg means, thereby slidably attaching the first leg means to the platform. The rear end of the platform is pivotally attached to the upper portion of the second leg means. The foldable frame is capable of being moved between a fully closed position and a fully open position. In the fully closed position, the first and second leg means are substantially disposed adjacent the platform. In the fully open position, the first and second leg means generally criss-cross each other and generally extend away from the platform. Thus, the top portions of each of the leg means is prevented from separating from the platform.
The platform further preferably includes a receptacle support means disposed intermediate the front and rear ends of the platform, and a receptacle may depend from the receptacle support means.
The foldable frame may further comprise a seat assembly pivotally attached to the platform. The seat assembly may comprise a seat having an inner perimeter which defines an opening therethrough. The seat assembly may include a pivotable lid disposed over the seat.
In one preferred embodiment, the attachment member comprises a pair of U-shaped brackets which depend downwardly from the bottom surface of the platform.
The foldable frame also preferably may includes a pair of armrests disposed on top of the platform.
In a preferred embodiment, the first leg means is a substantially U-shaped leg member having a bight portion slidably disposed in the race formed by the attachment member.
In the fully open position, the top portion of the first leg means may extends distally substantially beyond the top of the platform in order to form a backrest.
The platform may also include releasable locking means for releasably locking the top portion of the first leg means in a desired location. The releasable locking means may releasably lock the top portion of the first leg means proximate the rear end of the platform in the fully closed position, and/or the releasable locking means may releasably lock the top portion of the first leg means proximate the front end of the platform in the fully open position.
In another preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises a foldable commode comprising: a platform having a front end, a rear end, a top, and a bottom, the platform including a pair of slotted members disposed on the bottom, each slotted member defining a race extending from the front end to the rear end, the platform being provided with a through opening; a first pair of legs, each of the legs having a top portion, a middle portion, and a bottom portion, the top portions being slidably disposed in respective races; and a second pair of legs, each of the legs having a top portion, a middle portion, and a bottom portion, the top portions being pivotally mounted on opposite sides of the rear end of the platform, wherein the middle portion of each of the second pair of legs is pivotally attached to the middle portion of a respective one of the first pair of legs. In a fully closed position, the first and second pairs of legs are disposed substantially adjacent the platform. In a fully open position, the first and second pairs of legs generally criss-cross each other. Thus, the top portions of each of the leg means is prevented from separating from the platform, and the foldable commode assumes a folded state when the first and second pairs of legs are in the fully closed position.
The platform may further preferably include a receptacle support means disposed intermediate the front and rear ends, the receptacle support means surrounding the through opening. A receptacle may depend from the receptacle support means.
The foldable commode may also include a seat assembly pivotally attached to the platform. The seat assembly may include a seat having an inner perimeter which defines a seat opening therethrough, wherein the seat opening is generally positioned over the through opening in the platform. The seat assembly may also further include a pivotable lid disposed on top of the seat.
In a particular embodiment, each of the slotted members comprises a U-shaped bracket attached to the bottom of the platform, whereby the U-shaped brackets and the bottom of the platform form the races.
The foldable commode may also include a pair of armrests disposed on top of the platform.
The first pair of legs may comprise a substantially U-shaped leg member having a bight portion slidably disposed in the race formed by the attachment member.
In the fully open position, the top portion of the first pair of legs extends upwardly substantially above the top of the platform, thereby forming a backrest.
The platform may also comprise releasable locking means for releasably locking the top portion of the first pair of legs in a desired location. The releasable locking means may releasably lock the top portion of the first pair of legs proximate the rear end of the platform in the fully closed position, and/or the releasable locking means may releasably lock the top portion of the first pair of legs proximate the front end of the platform in the fully open position.
In a particular embodiment, the releasable locking means may include at least one clamp.
In one preferred embodim
Battiston David
Battiston Joseph
Klauber & Jackson
Tubular Fabricators Industry
Walczak David J.
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