US20100058527A1

US20100058527A1 - Portable Toilet, Stool and Table

Info

Publication number: US20100058527A1
Application number: US12/205,682
Authority: US
Inventors: David W. Richardson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-09-05
Filing date: 2008-09-05
Publication date: 2010-03-11

Abstract

The present invention is directed toward a combination toilet and stool/table. This structure includes opposing and parallel front and rear walls, along with opposing and parallel side walls. The side walls are capable of folding so that the structure can be portable. A foldable seat is attached to the rear wall and is secured to the structure by securing tabs located along the top edge of the side walls and front wall. A bag for receiving waste, garbage and other items can be placed within the interior of the structure. Access to the bag is through an opening in the foldable seat. The foldable seat includes a lid that can be moved between an open position and a closed position.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally directed toward a lightweight toilet that can also serve as a stool and/or table. More specifically, the present invention is directed toward a disposable, collapsible toilet, which can also be used as a stool and/or table.
Various designs for portable toilets are currently being used while traveling, camping, hiking, hunting or participating in other activities where conventional toilets are not readily accessible. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,199,826, shows a portable toilet combination. This device shows a structure shaped like a suitcase. The device has various compartments for storing accessories and a central compartment for waste reception. While the device may be portable in some fashion, it appears to be relatively large and bulky. Consequently, it would be difficult to transport easily, especially for backpackers and the like. Also, it appears as if the device would require an inordinately large amount of storage space when not in use. Thus, it would adversely affect the storage space otherwise available to a traveler in a vehicle.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,524,301 shows a portable toilet that includes shows two separate components that may be folded to decrease the overall bulk of the device. However, the device does not appear to provide a suitable seating structure when not in use as a toilet. Also, the device is not a unitary structure and the disparate top could be easily lost or misplaced, causing the device to malfunction. U.S. Pat. No. 6,047,414 discloses a portable toilet that includes foldable sides and interlocking seat. However, the seat is not secured to the foldable sides making it prone to collapse.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,801,991 shows a portable self-contained toilet that is reasonably sized compared to conventional toilets but still entirely too bulky. This device also uses fluids to flush its bowl. As a consequence, the device would be weighty as well. The device also fails to provide a comfortable seating structure when not in use as a toilet. U.S. Pat. No. Des. 358,459, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,526,537 and 5,586,344 show various portable toilet structures. However, none of these devices appear to be compact. They also fail to provide a comfortable seating structure when not in use as a toilet.
Thus, there exists a need in the art for an improved portable toilet in combination with a stool and/or table and toilet.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention satisfies the needs discussed above. As set out above, the present invention is generally directed toward a lightweight toilet that can also serve as a stool and/or table. More specifically, the present invention is directed toward a disposable, collapsible toilet, which can also be used as a stool and/or table.
One aspect of the inventive toilet/seat/table includes a structure being made from lightweight, corrugated cardboard, resulting in a structure that is simple to assemble and is capable of supporting the weight of its user. Further, this aspect is disposable making is easy to deposit in an appropriate waste receptacle and/or incinerated in a campfire and/or buried beneath the surface for disposal after use.
The cardboard is cut to include a series of preformed folds such that the cardboard can be arranged to form four walls defining an interior. Additionally, the cardboard includes two top panels that create the top portion that can be used as a seat or table top.
The four walls include a solid front wall, a solid rear wall and two collapsible side walls. The two collapsible side walls include having perforations to enable the walls to collapse inward toward the interior of the structure. An adhesive strip is placed along one of the side panels in order interlock the four walls.
The top panels include a support panel and a seat panel. The support panel includes an opening so that waste, garbage and other items may be placed within the interior of the structure. The seat panel is foldably connected to the support panel and also includes hinged panel that when in an open position creates an opening that is aligned with the opening of the support panel. This hinged panel allows the user to use the structure as a table or stool when not being used as a toilet.
Securing tabs are located along the top edge of the side walls and along the top edge of the front wall. These securing tabs fit within openings within the support panel to secure it in place. Further, a bag for collecting waste, garbage and other items can be placed within the interior of the structure and held in place by being secured to the securing tabs.
Upon reading the above description, various alternative embodiments will become obvious to those skilled in the art. These embodiments are to be considered within the scope and spirit of the subject invention, which is only to be limited by the claims which follow and their equivalents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIG. 1 with the top panels open.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the present invention as shown in FIG. 1 with the support panel in place and the seat panel open.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIG. 1 before folding into the storage configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The attached drawing demonstrates an embodiment of the present invention. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in a variety of ways. It is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and not of limitation.
As illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, an embodiment 10 of the present invention is shown. Embodiment 10 comprises a folding structure 11 having front wall 12 and a rear wall 14. These walls 12, 14 are opposing and parallel from each other. Two side walls 16 connect front and rear walls 12, 14, forming an interior 20 having an open top and bottom. Each of the side walls 16 have a fold 22 that enables each side wall 16 to be capable of angling inwardly.
Located along the top edge of each side wall 16 are one or more securing tabs 18. Further a securing tab 24 is located along the top edge of front wall 12. Rear wall 14 is constructed from an interior panel 14A and an exterior panel 14B. Adhesive (not shown) is used to connect these panels together in order to create folding structure 11.
A support panel 30 is hingedly connected to the top edge of said rear wall 14. Support panel has a plurality of openings 32 that are configured to receive support tabs 18, 24. By securing support panel 30 to the top edge of the side walls 16 and front wall 12, the structure is provided with sufficient strength to support the weight of the user and movement of that user during use. Support panel 30 also includes an opening 34 to allow access into the interior 20 of the structure 11.
A seat panel 40 is foldably connected to the support panel 30. Seat panel also has an opening 44 configured to receive securing tab 24 located along the top edge of front wall 12. This allows for seat panel 40 to be secure during use. Seat panel 40 includes a hinged lid 42. When lid 42 is in the open position, see FIG. 1, an opening 46 is created that is aligned with the opening 34 of the support panel 30.
In this embodiment, a bag (not shown) can be placed within the interior 20 of structure 11 to receive waste, garbage and other items. This bag can be secured in place by being adapted to be secured over the securing tabs 18, 24.
In operation, the user folds structure 11 such that interior panel 14A and an exterior panel 14B overlap. The adhesive (not shown) is used to secure the two panels together, see FIG. 2. Support panel 30 is then placed over the top edges of front wall 12 and the side walls 16 wherein it is secured in place by engaging securing tabs 18, 24 with openings 32, see FIG. 3. Seat panel 40 is folded over support panel 30, and is secured in place by engaging securing tab 24 with opening 44. Lid 42 can be opened providing access to interior 20 when being used as a toilet or can be closed when used as a stool or table.
While the invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is manifest that many changes may be made in the details of construction and the arrangement of components without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. It is understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments set forth herein for purposes of exemplification.

Claims

1. A combined portable toilet and stool comprising:

a folding structure including opposing and parallel front and rear walls, said front and rear walls connected by opposing and parallel side walls to define an interior with open bottom and top, each of said side walls having folds to enable said side walls to angle inwardly near their middle and having securing tabs located along the top edge of each side wall, said front wall having a securing tab located along its top edge, said rear wall includes an interior panel and an exterior panel and wherein at least one of said interior panel and said exterior panel has adhesive thereon in order to secure said panel to the other panel;

an support panel hingedly connected to the top edge of said rear wall, said support panel having a plurality of openings adapted to receive said tabs located along the top edges of said side walls and said front wall, said support panel having an opening adapted to allow access to said interior;

a seat panel is foldably connected to said support panel, said seat panel having a hinged lid such that when said lid is in the open position creates an opening that is aligned with the opening of the support panel, said seat panel having an openings adapted to receive said securing tabs located along the top edge of said front wall.

2. The combined portable toilet and stool as set out in claim 1 further comprises a bag adapted for being located within said interior of said structure and being adapted for being secured to said securing tabs of said side walls.