Abstract:
In one preferred embodiment, the present invention includes a self-standing public restroom facility requiring only sewer and water at the installation site. The facility is a functional, low-cost, easy-to-maintain, low-power-consumer, safe, accessible public restroom facility available to all citizens of a modern society, whether such citizens be tourists, business-persons, transients, home-less, able-bodied or physically challenged. The facility comprises a plurality of wall panels that bolt to a slab and to each other to enable rapid, low cost, off-site, modular construction and easy assembly on-site.

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
       [0001]    The present application claims benefit under 35 USC Section 119(e) of U.S. regular Patent Application No. 61/147,541 filed on 27 Jan. 2009: The present application is based on and claims priority from this application, the disclosure of which is hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to public restroom facilities and more specifically to handicapped accessible public toilet facilities. 
         [0003]    Known public restroom designs may be generally classified into three broad categories: stand-alone, semi-permanent units that require some services such as electricity and sewer services, self-contained (i.e. portable) units not connected to any power or sewer grid, or traditional facilities incorporated in buildings. Each of these aforementioned categories of public facilities can be further enhanced with automated, self-cleaning apparatus, handicap accessible, and the like. Further, some public facilities include aesthetic features that make the overall exterior or interior design more pleasing to the public. 
         [0004]    One known public restroom includes a self-cleaning restroom disclosed by Stock in U.S. Pat. No. 3,713,176 issued on 30 Jan. 1973. Stock teaches a self-cleaning restroom having a panel swingably mounted within the restroom between a normally vertical position and a horizontally disposed or cleaning position. A front side of the panel includes various dispensers as commonly found in public restrooms and a reverse side includes a group of nozzles suitably arranged thereon and communicated with a variety of fluids each of which is programmed to emanate from the nozzles in a predetermined sequence for spray cleaning and disinfecting the entire restroom. 
         [0005]    Another example of a self-cleaning restroom includes the disclosure of Garvey et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 3,869,732 issued on 11 Mar. 1975. Garvey teaches a restroom design having three bathroom fixtures, of which a lavatory and counter are mounted on a wall which is rotatable  90 -degrees about a hinge to a cleaning position where the lavatory is above the toilet. The movable fixtures close on themselves over the toilet and retractable nozzles position to clean each fixture when the hingeable walls are closed in. 
         [0006]    An example of a portable toilet facility includes the disclosure of Patterson in U.S. Pat. No. 4,163,294 issued on 7 Aug. 1979. Patterson teaches a toilet facility that is completely independent of water supply and sewer lines and includes a house having a waste-receiving tank within it and another tank located outside the house connected by a transfer pipe via a provided pump for pumping waste from the inside take to the outside tank. The tanks contain aeration pipes with pressurized air and a heat-generating source to encourage and activate aerobic bacteria in the waste. The house includes a translucent, dome-shaped roof with gutter and a vent that lowers and raises. Major components of the house are formed from plastic. 
         [0007]    An example of an attempt to make a public facility more aesthetically appealing include the design Ariza et al. as shown in U.S. Pat. No. Des. 424,667 issued on 9 May 2000. Ariza describes a structure rectangular structure having a generally square footprint and domed top portion. Another similar example includes the design of Tagg disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. Des. 360,471 issued on 18 Jul. 1995. 
         [0008]    More successful improvements to public toilet designs recognize both the human dignity element and conflicting size requirements between ADA accessible facilities constrained in high-density urban environments where the public facility is retrofit on an existing public right-of-way that is overly narrow and was not originally designed for such a structure. One such improved public restroom includes a self-cleaning facility described by White, Jr. et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,647,074 issued on 15 Jul. 1997. The White facility includes an automatic, self-cleaning, ADA compliant facility with a toilet that lowers from a vertical position to any number of adjustable-height horizontal positions. The compact facility includes a semicircular door, which is stored behind the equipment and machinery compartment when the facility is unoccupied. This design makes the facility adaptable for narrow sites and reduces the footprint of the structure when not in use. Despite many advantages of the White teaching, there remain yet a number of disadvantages. Such disadvantages include a number of motorized components including the folding toilet, the height-adjustment for the toilet, curved door, and the automated cleaning apparatus, for example. The motors require providing power to the structure from external power lines and are expensive and difficult to maintain and repair and added unnecessary complexity and cost. Another disadvantage includes a difficulty to install the structure flush with the existing grade, as the curved door requires an in-ground mounted track to guide itself from the open to the closed position. Another problem is the inability of law-enforcement to monitor illicit activity when the facility is in use. Also, the door may easily become blocked, thus preventing closure from the open position and rending the structure inoperable for its intended use. 
         [0009]    Despite numerous attempts of providing suitable public facilities, there remains need for an improved public restroom facility that is easy to clean without the need of complex automated apparatus. Further, such an improved facility should be economical to produce and install, requiring minimal services comprising essentially of fresh water and sewer connections to an existing grid, not require power from the grid. Additionally, an improved public restroom should be energy-efficient in its use, be economical to repair and maintain, provide access for all users—able bodied or challenged—and provide means for privacy while simultaneously enabling law-enforcement to monitor the facilities against illicit uses. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    In one preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises a self-contained public restroom facility particularly adapted for use in urban settings or other settings were a water supply and sewer connection is provided. The so-called Portland Loo brand (a trademark of the City of Portland, Oreg., USA) public facility is the brainchild of Commissioner Randy Leonard, who saw a growing global problem and devised a novel, local solution. Recognizing that all humans are entitled to a little dignity when taking car of such private business, there is an ever increasing demand for functional, low-cost, easy-to-maintain, low-power-consuming, safe, and accessible public restroom facilities available to all citizens of a modern society, whether such citizens be tourists, business-persons, transients, home-less, able-bodied or physically challenged. 
         [0011]    Certain elements of the present invention include:
       Lightweight construction. Each unit is composed of minimal materials. Utilizing stainless steel wall panels mounted to a slim-profile structural members results in a facility weighing a fraction of typical restrooms and can be delivered on-site as a complete enclosure.   Safe and Open. Louvers at the top and bottom of the wall create an interior environment that offers complete user privacy, while remaining as connected with the outside as possible. The lower louvers are angled to provide law enforcement the opportunity to observe the number of simultaneous users within the unit without compromising user privacy. The unit&#39;s hand-washing station is mounted on the exterior to promote shorter use times and to serve the general pedestrian population, including providing a means for pet owners to obtain potable water for their pets.   Functional. The entire unit can be off-grid and lit entirely by solar-powered LED fixtures. Or the unit can be pre-wired for 115-volt AC power, or both. At night, a gentle light washes the exterior until it is occupied, at which time interior lights activate and the exterior lights dim announcing that the facility is occupied. All of the cleaning and maintenance implements as well as electrical components and solar batteries, are housed in a cabinet at the rear of the unit.       
 
         [0015]    Advantages of preferred embodiments of the present invention include: an affordable design that is cost-effective to build, install and maintain; an industrial design that deters illicit activity; durable materials that resist vandalism attempts; an overall assembly design that makes repair, maintenance and replacement of components fast, easy, and affordable; requires only water and sewer hook-up and does not require electrical hook-up (but can be modified to hook-up to grid, if desired); ADA accessible; no attendant required; designed for 24-hour use, 365-days a year; sustainable materials and power source (solar powered). 
         [0016]    Other features of the present invention include: replaceable stainless steel wall panels, a button-activated exterior hand wash fixture and exterior drain; angled lower louvers for privacy and for external monitoring of activity within restroom; integrated solar panels and storage batteries; low-power consuming, LED light fixtures that adapt between in-use and available; translucent skylight. 
     
    
     
       DRAWING 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is an offset top view of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a front elevation view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a left side view of one embodiment according to the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a right side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a back elevation view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a top view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a partial detail view of the left side of structure shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is an alternative back elevation view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  and shows access doors open. 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  is a top plan view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  with the roof structure removed to illustrate the interior portion. 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  is a schematic representation of a solar collection, storage, and activation system according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0027]    Possible embodiments will now be described with reference to the drawings and those skilled in the art will understand that alternative configurations and combinations of components may be substituted without subtracting from the invention. Also, in some figures certain components are omitted to more clearly illustrate the invention. 
         [0028]      FIGS. 1 through 10  illustrate a first preferred embodiment of a public restroom facility. In this embodiment, a stand-alone restroom requires only sewer and water supply from an external source such as a sewer line and water line provided by a municipality and roughed at the desired installation site. The desired installation site further includes a level concrete slab at or above grade. If above grade, appropriate ramps are provided to enable physically challenged or mobility challenged individuals unencumbered access according to governmental mandates, regulation, and guidelines, as appropriate, and including, for example, the American&#39;s with Disabilities Act (ADA). The structure or facility  10  comprises a plurality of wall panels. Each wall panel  20  includes at least one structural frame element such as a metal support post  22 . A first wall panel comprises a pair of generally parallel support posts vertically arranged with a series of panels intermediately disposed. A first panel includes an upper louvered panel  24 , a second, middle, solid panel  25  and a third, lower louvered panel  27 . A second wall  21  adapts to couple to one of the vertical support posts of the first wall and, therefore, comprises a single vertical support post. A pair of wall panels, then, may share the intermediate post. In a like fashion, other wall panels are combined to create an interior enclosure. The louvered portions of each panel are angled to ensure privacy during use by a user, yet enable law enforcement the ability to monitor the facility to deter illicit use. 
         [0029]    The roof structure  12  includes an opaque skylight  14  adapted to illuminate the interior or enclosed portion during daylight. The roof structure covers the interior or enclosed portion and further provides structural support for one or more solar photovoltaic panels  16 . The photovoltaic panels convert solar energy into electricity by means well understood in the art. The facility includes a bank of batteries  42  or other suitable storage means for storing excess electricity and for discharge on demand when the solar panels are unable to provide sufficient current to power the facility as needed. 
         [0030]    The facility further includes a series of low-voltage, highly efficient light-emitting diode (LED) lights  18 . The LED light fixture illuminates the enclosed interior when the ambient light falls below a predetermined threshold as indicated by the appropriate light sensors  19  in communication with a controller  40 . Additionally, the light fixtures are controlled based on use or availability of the facility. A sensor determines whether the enclosed interior is occupied, and determines a first color indicator light color for an exterior LED light to indicate to the public that the facility is in use. A second color of the exterior LED light indicates availability for use. Interior LED lights illuminate according to occupancy and ambient lighting conditions. This configuration enables the facility to remain off-grid for electrical purposes. 
         [0031]      FIGS. 3 and 7  illustrate an exterior (left) side of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. Particularly, the exterior hand-wash station  32  comprising a push-button  36  controller to initiate the flow of clean water from an exterior mounted faucet  34 , which empties into a ground based drain  38 . This facility  10  includes an exterior wash station only: this ensures a more efficient use of both the toilet (inside) and hand-washing (outside) enabling multiple simultaneous users and further deters prolonged use of the interior as commonly experienced by public facilities where patrons wash their clothes and bodies. 
         [0032]    A locking door  26  suitably sized and configured to comply with ADA mandates accesses the enclosed interior portion. Further, interior portions of the wall panels provide grab-handles  54 . 
         [0033]    The access door  26  preferably includes an art panel  28  to make the exterior more aesthetically pleasing and/or for advertising use to offset the cost of maintaining and operating the facility. These figures more clearly show the opaque skylight  14  and solar panel  16 . 
         [0034]    The public restroom  10  of this first preferred embodiment anticipates a stand-alone, self-sufficient structure on a level site that is provide with a sewer  44  and water supply  46  from a municipality or other source. Accordingly, an appropriate vent  48  is included in the modular facility. 
         [0035]    In this preferred embodiment, the public restroom facility  10  includes a plurality of wall segments  20  wherein each wall segment comprises a louvered top panel  24 , a solid intermediate panel  25 , a louvered bottom panel  27 , and a structural frame system  22 . The plurality of wall segments cooperates and couple to each other (or other adjoining structures as will be discussed subsequently) to enclose a space. 
         [0036]    A roof structure  12  supported by at least one of the plurality of wall segments covers the enclosed space and further comprises at least one solar-photovoltaic panel  16  in communication with an energy storage device  42 , the energy storage device further communicating with one LED light fixture  18 , the LED light fixture being in communication with a sensor system  19  whereby occupancy of the enclosure by a user is indicated by one color of the LED light fixture, and availability of the enclosure being indicated by a second color of the LED light fixture  18 , and a light-sensor to control interior illumination of the enclosure based on a first pre-set condition. 
         [0037]    Additionally, a toilet  52  is disposed within the enclosure and is in communication with the sewer and the water supply as would be well understood in this art. 
         [0038]    Further, a hand-wash station mounts on an exterior portion of one of the plurality of wall panels and is in communication with the water supply and a drain as would be well understood in this art. 
         [0039]    The public restroom, or facility,  10  further includes a service enclosure comprising a lockable door  30  member and adapted to enclose the energy storage device  42  and further providing means for connecting the toilet and the hand-wash facility to the sewer and water supply. 
         [0040]    Additionally, the facility adapts for use on a site having a concrete slab and includes a means for attaching at least one wall panel  20  at the structural frame system  22  to the slab (i.e. bolted) wherein the lower louvered panel is suspended above the slab by a predetermined distance. 
         [0041]    The facility includes a roof structure  12  having an opaque skylight window  14  adapted to illuminate the enclosed interior space during daylight hours and a use-door  26  adapted to enable a user to access the enclosure, the use-door further comprising a locking means and a panel adapted to display art  28  or advertising. 
         [0042]    Each respective wall panel consists of louvered panels adapted to promote privacy for the user, yet enable law-enforcement to monitor the interior enclosure. 
         [0043]    Although the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.