Abstract:
An apparatus for permitting portable installation and use of a toilet is disclosed. The apparatus is lightweight and transportable in an accompanying duffel bag. The apparatus provides privacy and protection from the elements as well as the presence of toilet facilities for receiving human waste in remote areas where permanent toilet facilities are lacking, such as beaches, parks, and the wilderness.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     The present application is a continuation-in-part of, and entitled to the earlier filing date and priority of, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/351,615 which is assigned to the same assignee as the current application entitled “BEACH JON,” which was filed on Feb. 11, 2006, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION  
       [0002]     This invention relates to portable toilet facilities, and more specifically, to portable toilet facilities that are manipulable by an individual user such that the facilities may be erected and broken down by the individual user.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0003]     It is a natural human condition to expel waste, or, in colloquial terms, “use the restroom.” It is also usual human condition to travel from one&#39;s home, and, by extension, away from convenient restroom facilities. For instance, when one visits a campground, park, or beach, there may not be readily-accessible restroom facilities on such a site. When one finds space to set up his or her chair or towel at a crowded beach, that space may be a significant distance from the nearest restroom facility such that a walk thereto is tiring and otherwise inconvenient. Also, when one ventures into the wilderness or a national park, for example, while fishing a river or an oceanfront, there will often be no restroom facilities provided other than at the park entrance or ranger station. The fisherman will inevitably face the difficult decision of leaving the fishing spot and returning to the distant facilities to relieve himself or of polluting the environment by going to the bathroom in the wilderness area.  
         [0004]     Therefore, having a proximate restroom facility is a desirable condition for campers, park visitors, outdoorsmen, and beachgoers. Certain attempts in the prior art have been made to address this need.  
         [0005]     U.S. Pat. No. 7,200,878 to Payne discloses a collapsible portable toilet with a chair frame including a built-in foldable seat with a hole, a disposable absorbent fragrant flexible refuse bag extending through the hole in the seat and draped around the seat, the refuse bag attached to an underside of the seat, a roof support frame and a bag removably attached to a top of the roof with curtain material draped around the roof for privacy. The chair frame contemplated by the &#39;878 presents a risk that the toilet apparatus might collapse during use, which could result in undesirable unsanitary conditions for the user.  
         [0006]     U.S. Pat. No. 7,185,375 to Movsas discloses a collapsible portable toilet apparatus with a privacy screen. The &#39;375 patent contemplates a folding chair with a platform and an opening therein containing a removable receptacle. Telescoping poles attached to the back of the chair and a collapsible planar frame attached to the top of the poles provide support for a foldable canopy and privacy screen. The folding chair in the &#39;375 patent requires an additional step in setting up and collapsing the portable toilet device.  
         [0007]     U.S. Pat. No. 7,103,926 to Rasberry shows a portable latrine with an annular seat with an opening formed therein and a lip formed with a perimeter of the opening that extends downwardly and orthogonally from a seat top surface. A biodegradable sack has an elastic open top end for fitting beneath the seat opening.  
         [0008]     U.S. Pat. No. 7,020,909 to Ciotic discloses a portable self-contained vented commode with a frame, a pivoting toilet seat, and an aligned removable collection container capable of being dumped post receipt of human waste, which container is disposed beneath the toilet seat. A flexible hose with a DC powered fan thereon is attached to the frame for collection of vapors from the container and the disposal thereof, by creating a positive pressure to expel the vapors to a distant location relative to the frame, through a vent. The &#39;909 patent presents an undesirable level of complexity in incorporating the use of electric or battery power.  
         [0009]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,694,538 to Jones shows a portable toilet enclosure assembly with a base assembly including a support base, wheels upon which the support base is mounted; a height adjustable pole assembly being mounted upon the support base; and a curtain rod and curtain support assembly attached thereto. Notably, the &#39;538 patent is not self-contained, rather, it attaches to and encloses an existing toilet.  
         [0010]     Accordingly, there remains a need for an easily portable toilet capable of being erected and disassembled with relative ease, providing a space where a user may relieve him or herself in comfort and privacy, while at the same time avoiding the complexities of configuration, manufacturing and assembly to provide an easy-to-use and inexpensive device.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011]     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the prior art, the general purpose of the present invention is to provide a portable toilet configured to include all the advantages of the prior art, and to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art.  
         [0012]     An object of the present invention is to provide a portable toilet that can be used in outdoor locations, such as a beach. The portable toilet of the present invention is lightweight and easy to assemble and disassemble, is low in cost and is effective in solving the problem of having a readily available toilet.  
         [0013]     Another objective of the present invention is to provide a set of frames which can be assembled to become a temporary toilet. After assembly, a cloth cover is then used to cover the assembled frame. This will not only maintain personal privacy, but also provide a private environment and shield the user from wind, rain, and other external elements.  
         [0014]     Still another objective of the present invention is to provide a portable toilet which, when not in use, can be easily disassembled and stored in a bag or trunk of a vehicle.  
         [0015]     Another objective of the present invention is to provide a means of collecting human waste and ready disposal of such waste. The basin portion of the invention bowl is designed includes a removable waste bag that collects waste and allows the user to quickly and cleanly dispose of such collected waste.  
         [0016]     According to the present invention, the foregoing and other objectives and advantages are attained by the portable toilet of the present invention comprising a base which includes tubular members connected to form a square. A bowl having a seat, a lid, and a disposable bag is also part of the portable toilet. The seat is situated upon a circular bucket, which bucket supports the seat and receives the disposable bag. The lid is attached to a side of the seat that is opposite the door of the present invention. The lid attaches such that it operates swingably to permit open and closed positions over the seat and bucket.  
         [0017]     Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention which refers to the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]     The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:  
         [0019]      FIG. 1A  shows a T-joint,  FIG. 1B  shows a base pole, and  FIG. 1C  shows a door jamb pole, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0020]      FIG. 2  shows an included tote bag, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0021]      FIG. 3  shows the constructed support frame of the present invention in the assembled state, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0022]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the present invention toilet with opaque fabric covering attached to the support frame, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0023]      FIG. 5  shows the assembled form of the component parts of a door, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0024]      FIG. 6A  shows a disposable waste-collection bag, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 6B  shows a bucket with a seat and lid attached thereto, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 6C  shows another perspective view of the bucket with the lid in the closed position, according to an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 6D  shows a bracket that secures the seat and the lid to the bucket, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0025]      FIG. 7  shows the component parts of the door handle, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0026]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  are perspective views of the door handle, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0027]      FIG. 9  shows the plurality of base poles joined together by elbow joints to form a base of the frame in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 9  also shows a roof pole with attached elbow joints and two sets of two attached T-joints, each set of T-joints capable of receiving a flag pole, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 9  also shows a toilet paper holder in connection with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0028]      FIG. 10  shows a stake that may secure the frame, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 11  is another perspective view of the stake.  
         [0029]      FIG. 12A  shows a base pole received by a T-junction, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 12B  shows an angled roof pole in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0030]      FIG. 13A  depicts a series of fasteners for securing opaque fabric sheets that comprise the opaque walls of the portable toilet invention, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0031]      FIG. 14  shows a view of the vertical pole and T-joints upon which the door (not shown) hinges, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 14  also shows a toilet paper holder attached to the vertical pole, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Also disclosed in  FIG. 14  is a pin and a hole capable of accepting such pin to secure a T-joint, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
       [0032]     Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the description of several views of the drawings.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0033]     For a thorough understanding of the present disclosure, refer to the following detailed description, including the appended claims, in connection with the above-described drawings. Although the present disclosure is described in connection with exemplary embodiments, the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but these are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present disclosure. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.  
         [0034]     The terms “first,” “second,” and the like, herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another, and the terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.  
         [0035]     In accordance with the present invention, a portable toilet is provided. The portable toilet includes a frame comprising a square-shaped base, a plurality of vertical poles affixed at their first end to each corner of said base, a roof portion that is attached at each corner thereof to the second end of each of the vertical poles. The invention further comprises an openable door that attaches to and hinges upon one of the vertical posts, and a breathable and opaque fabric covering attached to the vertical poles and roof portion. The portable toilet also comprises a bucket disposed inside the area bounded by the base and vertical poles, said bucket capable of receiving human waste. The bucket includes a seat and a lid that cover the open top of the bucket. The internal area bounded by the base and vertical poles also includes an attachable arm on one of the poles that may be used to store a roll of toilet paper.  
         [0036]     In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the components used to form the frame comprise polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plumbing pipe and plumbing fittings. In another embodiment, the frame components comprise acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plumbing pipe and plumbing fittings. The plumbing fittings may attach to and secure the pipe pieces in the desired configuration via compression by a fitting onto a pipe piece, or by compression by a pipe piece onto a fitting.  
         [0037]     In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a flag pole holder may be attached to one of the vertical poles such that the user may insert a pole to which a flag is mounted.  
         [0038]     The present invention is collapsible and the component parts thereof easily fit into and are transportable in an included duffel bag.  
         [0039]     Referring now to the attached figures,  FIG. 1A  shows a T-joint  10  that is capable of receiving a first end of a vertical pole (not shown) in its central input and is capable of receiving a base pole  20  in each of its end inputs.  FIG. 1B  shows the base pole  20 .  FIG. 1C  shows a doorjamb pole  110 . A hook  112  on the doorjamb pole  110  permits the user to secure a water pouch (not shown) or shower bag (not shown) thereto.  
         [0040]      FIG. 2  shows an included tote bag  300  that is capable of storing and transporting the various component parts of the present invention.  
         [0041]     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the constructed form of the frame of the present invention is disclosed. The constructed frame comprises the plurality of base poles  20  joined together by elbow joints  30  to form a base  40 . Joined to each base pole  20  is a cross fitting  50 , each of which cross fitting receives a vertical pole  60  that extends upwardly from the base. Affixed to the upper end of each vertical pole  60  is the central input of a T-joint  70   a . The end inputs of the T-joint  70   a  receive a roof pole  80 . Attached on each end of each roof pole  80  is an elbow joint  90   a . The elbow joints  90   a  attached to each end of each roof pole  80  are such that a square top  100  is formed. The square frame is of the identical dimensions as the base  40 .  
         [0042]     Referring again to  FIG. 3 ., two roof poles  80  lying in parallel are each fitted with a T-joint  70   b  such that the roof poles run through the end inputs thereof. The central inputs of the T-joint  70   b  are aligned inwardly with respect to the square formed by the roof poles  80  such that an angled roof support pole  110  is disposed and received by the central inputs of the T-joints  70   b . The angled roof support pole  110  is disposed and received by the T-joints  70   b  such that the pole  110  rises from the roof poles  80  to form a peak at its midpoint. In one embodiment of the present invention, the angle of the angled roof support pole  110  is 22.5 degrees.  
         [0043]     Referring further to  FIG. 3 ., two T-joints  70   c  are attached to at least one of the vertical poles  60 , and each T-joint receives therein a complementary T-joint  70   d  such that a flag pole (not shown) may be inserted into and secured by the T-joints  70   d . In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the T-joints  70   c  are separated by no more than  12  inches such that each corresponding T-joint  70   d  receives a flagpole.  
         [0044]     On another vertical pole  60   FIG. 3  shows two T-joints  70   e  disposed at opposite ends of the pole  60 . Each T-joint  70   e  receives one end of a door jamb pole  120 , and the other end of each door jamb pole  120  accordingly receives an elbow joint  90   b . The other ends of the elbow joints  90   b  are aligned to face each other such that they receive and secure opposite ends of a door edge pole  130 . The door jamb poles  120  and door edge pole  130  are moveable in concert and hinge openably upon the corresponding vertical pole  80  to which the door jamb poles  120  attach such that a door is formed. The door jamb poles  120  further include a fastening hook  125  to which a door support  140  is affixed to each pole  120 . In one embodiment of the present invention, the door support  140  comprises a chain. A handle (not shown) removably attaches to the door edge pole  130  to allow the user to open and shut the formed door.  
         [0045]     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , the portable toilet with opaque fabric covering attached to the support frame is shown.  
         [0046]      FIG. 5 , shows a detailed depiction of the door comprising T-joints  70   e , the door jamb poles  120 , the elbow joints  90   b , the door edge pole  130 , and door support  140 . A handle  150  removably attaches to the door edge pole  130  to facilitate opening and closing of the door. In one embodiment, the handle  150  is a metal clamp that secures to the door edge pole by means of bolts. Refer to  FIG. 7 ,  FIG. 8A , and  FIG. 8B  for a detailed view of the structure of the door handle  150 , wherein the handle  150  comprises a grip  152  and clamps  154 . The grip  152  attaches to the claims  154  and is secured by a cotter pin  156 .  
         [0047]      FIG. 6A  shows the disposable bag  160  that is inserted into the bucket.  FIG. 6B  shows the bucket  170  with the seat  180  and lid  190  attached thereto. The lid  190  is attached to the seat  180  with a hinge  182  that permits the user to open and close the lid as desired.  FIG. 6B  also shows L-shaped mounting brackets  172  disposed on the base of the bucket, which may receive staking pins  174  to secure the bucket to the ground in the event that the ground on which the user has placed the bucket is not level or solid.  FIG. 6C  is another perspective view of the bucket  170  with the lid  190  in the closed position.  FIG. 6D  shows the bracket  182  that secures the seat  180  and the lid  190  to the bucket  160 .  
         [0048]      FIG. 7  shows the component parts of the door handle  150 . The handle  150  includes pivoting member  152  and non-pivoting members  154 . The pivoting member is in the form of an “L.” One extension of the pivoting member  152  is disposed through matching receiving holes of the non-pivoting members and is secured to the non-pivoting members with a cotter pin  156 .  
         [0049]      FIG. 8A  is perspective of the handle  150  in a closed position, wherein the pivoting member  152  of the handle  150  is aligned with the non-pivoting member  154  of the handle  150 . When the two members of the handle are so aligned, the pivoting member  152  flanks the vertical pole  60  that mates with the door edge pole  130  and secures the door in a closed position. The handle  150  attaches to the door edge pole  130  by aligning the non-pivoting member  154  with the door edge pole  130  and fastening the non-pivoting member  154  to the door edge pole  130  with sheet metal screws (not shown) passed through the screw holes  156  of the non-pivoting member  154 .  FIG. 8B  is another perspective of the handle  150 .  
         [0050]      FIG. 9  shows the plurality of base poles  20  joined together by elbow joints  30  to form a base  40 . Joined to each base pole  20  is a cross fitting  50 , each of which fitting receives a vertical pole  60  that extends upwardly from the base.  FIG. 9  also shows a roof pole  80  with attached elbow joints  82  that permit attachment of the roof pole  80  to the vertical poles  60 .  FIG. 9  shows further two sets of two attached T-joints  70   c  and  70   d , each set of T-joints capable of receiving a flag pole (not shown). The T-joints  70   c  and  70   d  may, in one embodiment of the present invention, be attached and secured with glue or other similar adhesive material.  FIG. 9  also discloses a toilet paper holder  270  that comprises a T-joint  272 , and elbow joint  274 , and a longitudinal length of pipe  276 . The T-joint  272  is received by a vertical pole  60  (not shown) and is oriented toward the interior of the portable toilet apparatus. The elbow joint  274  attaches to the T-joint  272  and is oriented upward. The length of pipe  276  is received by the elbow joint  274  such that a user can place a standard roll of toilet paper onto the length of pipe  276 . In one embodiment of the present invention, the T-joint  272  is glued to the vertical pole.  
         [0051]      FIG. 10  shows a stake  200  that may be driven into the surface on which the user erects the frame. The stake  200  includes a flange  210  that overlaps the base pole  20  such that the stake secures the base pole  20 .  FIG. 11  is another perspective of the stake  200 .  
         [0052]      FIG. 12A  shows a base pole  20  received by a T-junction  10 .  FIG. 12B  shows the angled roof pole  110 .  
         [0053]      FIG. 13A  depicts a series of fasteners  210  that includes buttons  220  for securing opaque fabric sheets that comprise the opaque walls of the portable toilet invention. In one embodiment of the present invention, the opaque walls are canvas material. In one embodiment, the fasteners  210  are disposed on the edges of the fabric sheet. The edge of the sheet is wrapped around the vertical poles  60  and back onto itself so that the buttons can snap. In this way, the user may attach an appropriately-sized piece of fabric (featuring corresponding buttons) to cover an area defined by two vertical poles  60 , a base pole  20 , and a roof pole  80 .  FIG. 4  shows the present invention with such fabric sheets secured and attached to form opaque walls  240  and an opaque roof  250 . Preferably, one vertical wall  240  will include a vented portion  260  to permit air and odors to escape from the interior of the enclosed frame.  
         [0054]      FIG. 14  shows a another view the vertical pole  60  and T-joints  70   e  upon which the door (not shown) hinges.  FIG. 14  also shows a toilet paper holder  270  attached to the vertical pole  60 . Also disclosed in  FIG. 14  is a pin  280  and a hole  290  capable of accepting such pin to secure the upper T-joint  70   e.    
         [0055]     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present disclosure have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the disclosure and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the disclosure and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omission and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but such are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present disclosure.