Baths – closets – sinks – and spittoons – Dry closets – Receptacle type
Reexamination Certificate
1998-04-29
2001-06-05
Eloshway, Charles R. (Department: 3751)
Baths, closets, sinks, and spittoons
Dry closets
Receptacle type
C004S458000, C004S476000, C004S478000, C297S188090, C297S188130, C297S250100, C297S485000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06240576
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to toilets and, more particularly, to a self-contained toilet that can be transported to, and used at, different locations.
2. Background Art
Many portable toilets have been designed for use by children. These toilets are typically designed to be used while supported on a stable surface, such as a floor.
It is common to empty the contents of this type of toilet immediately after use to avoid spilling of the contents thereof and to avoid the development of odors in the vicinity of the toilet.
To the knowledge of the inventor herein, no portable toilet design exists that is useable safely and effectively by a child as in a car. As a result, vehicle travel is normally interrupted to take children to an appropriate location to either use a permanent toilet or safely set up a portable toilet for use. Unfortunately, young children are often incapable of giving sufficient warning of the need to use a toilet to allow a permanent toilet facility to be accessed or the setting up of a portable toilet at a suitable location outside of the vehicle. The consequence of this is that vehicle seats may become soiled.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one form, the invention is directed to a portable toilet having a frame defining a collection space for waste product, an opening in the frame, and a seating surface for supporting a user in a seated position to allow waste product from a user in the seated position to be discharged through the opening into the collection space. A removable cover is provided on the frame for selectively blocking and exposing the frame opening.
The frame may be made from molded plastic.
In one form, the frame has a front and rear and laterally spaced sides and a wall projecting upwardly from the seating surface at the rear and each of the spaced sides of the frame to confine a user in the seated position on the frame.
The frame may have a receptacle for a strap that can be used to maintain the portable toilet seat in the operative position on a passenger seat of a movable vehicle.
The movable vehicle has a seat strap with joinable strap parts that can be extended around an occupant of the passenger seat and joined to confine an occupant to the passenger seat. The seat strap is extendable through the receptacle with the strap parts joined.
An opening may be provided in the wall projecting upwardly from the seating surface to accept fingers on the hand of a user to facilitate lifting of the portable toilet by a user. The opening may extend fully through the wall projecting upwardly from the seating surface.
In one form, there is a gasket located between the cover and frame whereby the frame opening is substantially sealed by the cover and gasket.
A liner may be used to define a container for waste product. The liner can be removably connected to the frame to reside at least partially within the collection space to accumulate waste product directed into the collection space.
A cushion may be provided that is selectively placeable in a) a first position wherein the cushion bears against the seating surface, covers the frame opening, and is situated between the seating surface and the user in the seated position and b) a second position wherein the seating surface and frame opening are exposed to allow a user in the seated position to be supported directly against the seating surface.
In one form, the frame has a base portion defining a downwardly facing surface which supports the portable toilet and there is a single piece that defines the downwardly facing surface, the seating surface, and at least a part of the wall projecting upwardly from the seating surface.
In one form, the frame has one piece that defines the collection space and seating surface and with the cover on the frame, the cover and frame cooperatively define a closed collection space.
The invention is also directed to a portable toilet having a frame with a front and rear and laterally spaced sides and defining a collection space for waste product, a seating surface for supporting a user in a seated position to allow waste product from a user in the seated position to be discharged into the collection space, a receptacle for a strap that can be used to maintain the frame in an operative position at a point of use, and a wall projecting upwardly from the seating surface at the rear and each of the sides of the frame to confine a user in the seated position on the frame.
The invention is also directed to the combination of a movable vehicle having a passenger seat and a portable toilet which is removably maintained in an operative position on the passenger seat. The portable toilet has a frame defining a collection space for waste product and a seating surface for supporting a user in a seated position to allow waste product from a user in the seated position to be discharged into the collection space with the portable toilet in the operative position on the passenger seat.
The invention is also directed to a method of using a portable toilet having a frame defining a collection space for waste product, a seating surface for supporting a user in a seated position to allow waste product from a user in the seated position to be discharged into the collection space, and a receptacle for a strap. The method includes the steps of situating the portable toilet in an operative position on a passenger seat within a movable vehicle having joinable seat strap parts, directing one of the seat strap parts through the receptacle, joining the one seat strap part to the other seat strap part, and placing a user in a seated position on the seating surface so as to allow waste product from the user in the seated position to be discharged into the collection space.
REFERENCES:
patent: 233257 (1880-10-01), Klett
patent: 541219 (1895-06-01), Weston
patent: 1440132 (1922-12-01), Chrisman
patent: 2662229 (1953-12-01), Wenkstern
patent: 5286085 (1994-02-01), Minami
patent: 5359737 (1994-11-01), Hodge
patent: 5485637 (1996-01-01), Green
patent: 5720513 (1998-02-01), Raukauskas
patent: 5779306 (1998-07-01), Ohlsson
patent: 5806924 (1998-09-01), Gonas
patent: 3534745 (1987-01-01), None
patent: 2415447 (1979-09-01), None
Eloshway Charles R.
Wood Phillips VanSanten Clark & Mortimer
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