Abstract:
The present invention is a portable urinal that may be handheld, freestanding or affixed to a toilet or a vertical member such as a wall. An embodiment of a handheld urinal may include a funnel top configured for attachment to a urinal base. The funnel top may include a splashguard along a portion of an upper periphery of the funnel top and a generally conical lower portion with a narrow orifice at a bottom end and a mount fitting. An embodiment of the portable urinal includes a wall mountable urinal for receiving a mount fitting from an assembled funnel top and urinal base according to the present invention. Another embodiment of the portable urinal includes a urinal base for adjustably receiving an assembled funnel top and urinal base. The funnel top may be configured to receive a handle or attached to a wall mount, toilet mount or freestanding base.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This utility patent application claims priority to, and benefit of, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/379,213, with the same title, filed, May 9, 2002. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to urinals. More particularly, the present invention relates to a urinal that may be handheld, freestanding or portable.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    While a conventional toilet may be used by males to eliminate urine, there are a number of drawbacks, including the splashing of urine from the toilet receptacle onto areas surrounding the toilet, noise from the stream of urine as it comes into contact with water in the toilet receptacle and the large volume of water required for each flushing of the toilet.  
           [0004]    Urinals are well known in the art. However, the most common urinals, i.e., those found in public buildings and elsewhere are generally expensive, not portable, not adjustable for the user and require plumbing. Another problem with conventional urinals is the difficulty in use for a male toddler who cannot reach the urinal receptacle without using a stool, unless it has been appropriately placed on the wall.  
           [0005]    The parents of male toddlers are quite familiar with the difficulty of training their child to urinate in a conventional toilet. For male toddlers transitioning from diapers to using a potty for urinating, the difficulty tends not to be urinating without a diaper. The primary problem with male toddlers urinating is their inability to aim the stream of urine at its intended target. Traveling with male toddlers can be inconvenient because of their small bladders, especially if untrained to eliminate prior to traveling. Portable urinals have been developed in an attempt to address some of the above problems.  
           [0006]    A portable urinal is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,164,795 to Johnson. The Johnson urinal includes an inlet tube for use with a container that prevents discharge of the contents of the container to prevent spillage and is removable for emptying and washing. However, the Johnson urinal does not appear to disclose a freestanding urinal.  
           [0007]    A stand-up training potty for male toddlers is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,040,248 to Kelly. The Kelly potty includes a waste-receiving receptacle and an open seat with a detachably fastenable urinal accessory. The urinal accessory includes a conduit for receiving urine and communicating it into the receptacle. The cylindrical members may be comprised of slidably extendable and retractable members to accommodate height variations in the user. However, the Kelly potty is not handheld and must be freestanding.  
           [0008]    A portable male urinal and stabilizer is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,926,858 to Heller. The Heller urinal includes a handle and a hollow urinal body with an inlet in communication with a reservoir. The urinal body has a flat stabilizer on the bottom of the reservoir structured to underlie the legs of a male patient lying on his back. However, the Heller urinal does not appear to disclose a freestanding urinal or be spill-proof with the use of the stabilizer.  
           [0009]    A portable male urinal is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,163,892 to Abbato. The Abbato urinal includes a conventional portable male urinal having and handle and a spout with a valve assembly for permitting flow of urine into the reservoir, while resisting undesired flow of urine out of the reservoir. However, the Abbato urinal does not appear to disclose a freestanding urinal.  
           [0010]    An adjustable urinal is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,079,057 to Mette. The Mette urinal may be used by person of either sex and includes a receptacle member and a tube. The receptacle member is pivotally mounted and movable between a variable first position and a second position. Waste liquids may be voided when the receptacle member is in the first position. A tube is located within the receptacle member and is adapted for connection to a supply of water. Additionally, the receptacle member is connected to a drain for disposal of the waste liquids and water. However, the Mette urinal is not portable and requires plumbing.  
           [0011]    None of the above-described conventional urinals appear to be configured for handheld, portable, and freestanding use. Additionally, there do not appear to be urinals that disclose decorative designs that encourage a male toddler to correctly aim his stream of urine when using the urinal. Thus, there remains a need in the art for a portable urinal that may be: handheld, freestanding or affixed to a toilet or wall and that assists in the potty training of male toddlers. Additionally, it is desirable for a urinal that may be used by adults and children of both sexes in environments such as hospitals, nursing homes, patients in wheel chairs, in the outdoors (e.g., camping) and in vehicles.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0012]    The present invention includes a portable urinal that may be handheld, freestanding or affixed to a toilet or a vertical member such as a wall. An embodiment of a handheld urinal may include a funnel top configured for attachment to a urinal base. The funnel top may include a splashguard along a portion of an upper periphery of the funnel top and a generally conical lower portion with a narrow orifice at a bottom end and a mount fitting. An embodiment of the portable urinal includes a wall mountable urinal for receiving a mount fitting from an assembled funnel top and urinal base according to the present invention. Another embodiment of the portable urinal includes a urinal base for adjustably receiving an assembled funnel top and urinal base. The funnel top may be configured to receive a handle or attached to a wall mount, toilet mount or freestanding base. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]    The drawings illustrate various views and embodiments for carrying out the invention. Like reference numerals refer to like parts in different views or embodiments:  
         [0014]    [0014]FIGS. 1A and 1B are side and top views, respectively, of a urinal base in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2 is a side view of an assembled urinal with a cover according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 3 is a side view of an assembled urinal with a handle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0017]    FIGS.  4 - 6  are top, side and back views, respectively, of a cover for a urinal in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIGS. 7A, 8 and  9  are top, back and side views, respectively, of a funnel top with a splashguard in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 7B is a top view of a funnel top with a splashguard illustrating a spiral design on the funnel in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 10 is a front view of a left-handed handle for a handheld urinal in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 11 is a side view of a handle for a handheld urinal in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 12 is a front view of a right-handed handle for a handheld urinal in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 13 is a side view of assembled urinal illustrating the funnel top in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 14 is a side view of a funnel top in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 15 is a side view of urinal base in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 16 is an illustration of a male toddler using a handheld urinal according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 17 is a front view of a toilet-mounting bracket for use with the urinal of an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 18 is a side view of the toilet-mounting bracket of FIG. 17 with exemplary dimensions.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 19 is a side view of a urinal with the toilet-mounting bracket of FIG. 17 attached to a toilet in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 20 is a front view of wall mount including a urine catch for use with a urinal in accordance with an embodiment of-the present invention.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 21 is a side view of the wall mount of FIG. 20.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 22 is a front view of a freestanding base for use with a urinal in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 23 is a side view of a freestanding base as shown in FIG. 22.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 24 is a front view of a freestanding base with oval-shaped splashguard for use with a urinal in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 25 is a front view of the freestanding base of FIG. 24 with train illustrations on it.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 26 is a front view of the freestanding base of FIG. 25 with a urinal attached in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a portable urinal with handle attached in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 28 is an illustration of a male toddler using a handheld urinal in a bathroom in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 29 is an illustration of a male toddler using a toilet-mounted portable urinal in a bathroom in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 30 is an illustration of a male toddler using a urinal with freestanding base and oval-shaped splashguard in a bathroom in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 31 is an illustration of a male toddler using a urinal with freestanding base in a bathroom in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 32 is a detailed top view of the urinal of FIG. 7B illustrating a decorative design in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0043]    In the following detailed description of the various embodiments of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims.  
         [0044]    [0044]FIGS. 1A and 1B are side and top views, respectively, of a urinal base  100  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Urinal base  100  may be generally cylindrical in shape. Alternatively, urinal base  100  may have an hourglass shape as shown in FIG. 1A for easy gripping by a male toddler. Funnel top  202  may be configured for screwing on to urinal base  100 . Alternatively, urinal base  100  and funnel top may be press or snap fitted together.  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 2 is a side view of an assembled urinal  200  with a cover  204  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Urinal  200  may include a urinal base  100 , a funnel top  202  and a mount fitting  206 . Funnel top  202  may include a splashguard  208 . Funnel top  202  may be conically shaped with a narrow opening  210  at the bottom as illustrated in FIG. 2. Alternatively, funnel top  202  may be bowl shaped or concave when viewed from above. In yet another embodiment, funnel top  202  may be convex when viewed from above. Narrow opening  210  may be centered in funnel top  202  (as shown in FIG. 7A and further described below). Alternatively, narrow opening  210  may be offset from center.  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 3 is a side view of an assembled urinal  300  including a handle  302  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Handle  302  may be configured to mate with mount fitting  206 . Of course, one skilled in the art will recognize other equivalent means for securing handle  302  to funnel top  202 . Such other equivalent means, e.g., screws, snaps, tongue and groove slide, are considered to be within the scope of the present invention.  
         [0047]    FIGS.  4 - 6  are a top, side and back views, respectively, of a cover  204  for a urinal  200 ,  300  in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Cover  204  may have an extension  502  for extending over a corresponding lip  702  (see FIGS. 7A, 7B and  9  and related discussion below).  
         [0048]    [0048]FIGS. 7A, 8 and  9  are top, back and side views, respectively, of a funnel top  202  with a splashguard  208  in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 7B is a top view of a funnel top  202  with a splashguard  208  illustrating an exemplary decorative design  802  on the funnel in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The inside surface  800  of funnel top  202  may be formed of a heat-sensitive material that is opaque or clear at room temperature, but reveals decorative design  802  at temperatures consistent with warm urine or above 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Alternatively, the inside surface  800  of funnel top  202  may be formed of a moisture-sensitive material that is opaque or clear when dry, but, reveals a decorative design  802  when exposed to a water-based liquid, e.g., urine. In this way, a male toddler will be encouraged to use urinal  200 ,  300  because of the decorative design  802  that will appear. The decorative design  802  shown in FIG. 7B (a spiral train pattern) is merely exemplary and any suitable decorative design  802  may be placed on the inside surface  800 . FIG. 32 is detailed top view of the funnel top  202  and splashguard  208  of FIG. 7B illustrating a decorative design  802  in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Decorative design  802  may be temperature-induced or moisture-induced according to embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0049]    [0049]FIG. 10 is a front view of an exemplary left-handed handle  1000  for a handheld urinal  200 ,  300  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Left-handed handle  1000  may include an interlock  1002 , a riser  1004  and a grip  1006 . Interlock  1002  may be configured to mate with mount fitting  206 . Alternatively, interlock  1002  may include other means known to one of skill in the art for attaching left-handed handle  1000  to funnel top  202 . FIG. 12 is a front view of a right-handed handle  1200  for a handheld urinal  300  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a side view of either handle  1000  or  1200  for a handheld urinal  200 ,  300  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Riser  1004  may be configured or shaped to give a male toddler an appropriate angle or elevation for using handheld urinal  200 ,  300 .  
         [0050]    [0050]FIG. 13 is a side view of an assembled urinal  1300  illustrating the funnel top  202  and splashguard  208  illustrating urinal base  100  dimensions for width, W, and height, H, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Dimensions of W=4 inches and H=5.25 inches for urinal base  100  are consistent with a presently preferred embodiment of the present invention. However other suitable dimensions for width, W, and height, H, will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art and are considered to be within the scope of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a side view of a funnel top  202  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 is another side view of urinal base  100  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 16 is an illustration of a male toddler  1600  using a handheld urinal  300  according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0051]    [0051]FIG. 17 is a front view of a toilet-mounting bracket  1700  for use with the urinal  200 ,  300  according to an embodiment of the present invention. Toilet-mounting bracket  1700  may have appropriately spaced holes  1702  to receive mount fitting  206 . Toilet-mounting bracket  1700  may be dimensioned to fit over a toilet seat or the rim of a toilet bowl. For example, dimensions of H 1 =5 inches, W 1 =2.5 inches, H 2 =2 inches and W 2 =0.75 inches for toilet-mounting bracket  1700  are in accordance with a presently preferred embodiment of the present invention. Other suitable dimensions for toilet-mounting bracket  1700  to allow for use with a conventional toilet  1900  (see FIG. 19) will be known to one of ordinary skill in the art and are considered within the scope of embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 18 is a side view of the toilet-mounting bracket  1700  shown in FIG. 17. FIG. 19 is a side view of a urinal  200 ,  300  with the toilet-mounting bracket  1700  shown in FIG. 17 attached to a conventional toilet  1900  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0052]    [0052]FIG. 20 is a front view of wall mount  2000  including a urine catch  2002  for use with a urinal in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Wall mount  2000  may include one or more wall mounting holes  2004  and appropriately spaced holes  2006  for receiving mount fitting  206 . Wall mounting holes  2004  may be used with screws or other fasteners (not shown) to affix the wall mount  2000  to a wall. Alternatively, wall mount  2000  may be affixed to a vertical surface using glue, double-sided tape or hook-and-loop cloth. Other means of affixing wall mount  2000  to a vertical surface will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art and, thus, will not be further elaborated on herein. FIG. 21 is a side view of the wall mount of FIG. 20. Dimensions of W=12 inches and H=18 inches for wall mount  2000  are consistent with a presently preferred embodiment of the present invention. However other suitable dimensions for width, W, and height, H, will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art and are considered to be within the scope of the present invention.  
         [0053]    [0053]FIG. 22 is a front view of a freestanding base  2200  for use with a urinal  200 ,  300  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Freestanding base  2200  may include base  2202  and an adjustment arm  2204 . Base  2202  may be appropriately weighted with sand, water, stone, metal or other mass for stability. Adjustment arm  2204  may include appropriately spaced holes  2206  for receiving mount fitting  206  on a urinal  200 ,  300  and allowing for adjustability in the vertical displacement of urinal  200 ,  300 . Any suitable dimensions for an adjustment arm  2204  may be used consistent with the intended purpose of the invention. For example, dimensions of H 1 =16 inches, W=4 inches, H 2 =4 inches and T=1 inch for adjustment arm  2204  are in accordance with a presently preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 23 is a side view of a freestanding base  2200  as shown in FIG. 22 for use with a urinal  200 ,  300  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0054]    [0054]FIG. 24 is a front view of a freestanding base  2400  with half-bowl-shaped urine catch  2002  for use with a urinal  200 ,  300  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 25 is a front view of a freestanding base  2500  similar to freestanding base  2400  of FIG. 24 with decorative train illustrations  2502  on it in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 26 is a front view of the freestanding base  2500  of FIG. 25 with a urinal  200 ,  300  attached in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0055]    [0055]FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a portable urinal  2700  with right-handed handle  1200  attached in accordance with other embodiments of the present invention. Portable urinal  2700  may be urinal  200  or  300  with illustrations on it, or in it, as described above.  
         [0056]    [0056]FIG. 28 is an illustration of a male toddler  1600  using a handheld urinal  200 ,  300 ,  2700  in a bathroom  2800  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 29 is an illustration of a male toddler  1600  using a toilet-mounted portable urinal  2900  in a bathroom in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Toilet-mounted portable urinal  2900  may include a portable urinal  200 ,  300 ,  2700  and toilet-mounting bracket  1700  as shown in FIG. 17.  
         [0057]    [0057]FIG. 30 is an illustration of a male toddler  1600  using a urinal  200 ,  300 ,  2700  with freestanding base and oval-shaped splashguard  2400  in a bathroom  2800  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 31 is an illustration of a male toddler  1600  using a urinal  200 ,  300 ,  2700  with freestanding base  2200  in a bathroom  2800  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0058]    Portable urinals  200 ,  300 ,  2700  and all of the other embodiments described herein may be used to assist young male toddlers in their “potty training.” Portable urinals  200 ,  300 ,  2700  may also be used by adults and children of both sexes, handicapped persons and geriatrics in environments such as hospitals, nursing homes, on a wheel chair, in the outdoors (e.g., camping) and in vehicles. Features include portability, ease of cleaning and adjustability.  
         [0059]    Although this invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, the invention is not limited to these described embodiments. The invention is limited only by the appended claims, which include within their scope all equivalent devices or methods that operate according to the principles of the invention as described herein.