Patent Publication Number: US-11647875-B2

Title: Collapsible child toilet seat

Description:
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/028,526 filed on May 21, 2020, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference thereto. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The field of the invention relates to child toilet training and the general comfort of small children when sitting atop conventional toilet seats. More particularly, this invention relates to a toilet seat device which is both storable in a collapsed configuration and employable to support an infant, toddler, or small child atop a conventional toilet seat when unfolded to a deployed configuration. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In the United States and in many industrialized countries, toilet training is the process of training someone, particularly an infant, toddler, or small child, to use the toilet for urination and defecation. For parents and caregivers having small children in their care the process of educating the child to use a toilet rather than the diaper they have become used to since birth can be easy in some cases, such as when the child has older siblings setting an example. However, in other cases such can be an ordeal. 
     One significant issue facing parents and guardians during such training is that toddlers and small children, being small in stature, are not easily positionable atop a conventional toilet seat. Such conventional toilet seats, be they at home or in a public restroom, are configured for supporting an older child or adult atop the toilet during use. Toddlers and young children, being small in stature, must balance on the edge portions of a conventional toilet seat or be held steady by the adult caring for them at the time. While such a balancing act may work when toilet training is conducted at home, it is less than desirable when having to use a public restroom, all the more so given the conventional large open-front seats frequently used in such environments. The issue is such that some caregivers may decide to place children who are largely potty trained when in the home environment back into diapers for purposes of going out in public. This reintroduction of diapers can confuse children and cause a regression in potty training. 
     As such, children may face certain risks associated with toilet training and using conventional-sized toilets in general, such as slipping or falling from toilet seats. Further, trying to form an insulating barrier between the body of a child and a public toilet seat that can be maintained during use is a task not easily accomplished. Thus, even if the child can somehow maintain their position atop a conventional toilet seat, they still are at risk of contacting germs and bacteria from the underlying seat should the paper or other interface between the child and the underlying seat fail. 
     The forgoing examples of related art as to toilet seats and the perils of toilet training for infants, toddlers, and young children are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive, and they do not imply any limitations on the invention described and claimed herein. Various limitations of the related art will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading and understanding of the specification below and the accompanying drawings. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The toilet seat device herein is configured in a manner to provide the user with significant utility over prior art. The toilet seat device has a body which is collapsible to a very compact configuration for storage and transport. From this collapsed configuration, the body of the device is easily reconfigured to a deployed configuration, wherein a non-slip skirt or flange extending from the bottom surface of the device is configured to securely engage atop an existing toilet seat in the home or while traveling. 
     In all modes of the toilet seat device herein, the device has a substantially U-shaped body formed of a first body portion and a second body portion which surround a central opening. The first body portion is in a first pivoting engagement with the second body portion. The first body portion is formed of a first segment which is in a second pivoting engagement with a second segment. In a similar fashion, the second body portion is formed of a third segment in a third pivoting engagement with a fourth segment. It is the plurality of pivoting engagements which configure the device to easily move between a highly compact collapsed configuration for storage and travel to a deployed configuration which is easily positioned for a secure engagement atop a toilet seat in the home or in a restroom when traveling. 
     By pivoting engagement, herein, is meant any rotating connection engaging two body portions and/or two segments of the device herein. For example, and in no way limiting, hinge members engaged with one body portion may be rotationally connected by a pin or axle with other hinge members engaged with a second body portion. 
     A particularly preferred pivoting engagement employed for at least one pivoting engagement between the segments of the body of the device includes structure to generate a “click to open” and a “click to close” feature. In addition to generating a noise for the user and a vibration to the device which may be felt by the user such also imparts a bias of the engaged segments toward each other to form a biased contact thereof. Currently, such is provided by first and second projections on the hinge or pivoting engagement, which cause a deflection or snapping movement of complementary recesses located on one of the segments engaged in the pivoting engagement. 
     In operation, when the segments so engaged are being folded or unfolded, the projections will cause the respective leading edges of the respective complementary recesses to momentarily deflect subsequently snap back to an original positioning as it descends into the recess. This snap back movement itself will generate a noise and/or vibration and concurrently causes the endwalls of the opposing segments to collide against each other, thereby generating a further noise for an auditory signal and/or concurrently communicating a tactile sensation or vibration into the body of the device which may be felt by the user. This vibration and noise is preferable during unfolding of the device to the deployed position, because the noise and/or vibration alerts the user that the device is locked in the deployed position. A similar tactile and audible operation occurs with a first pivoting engagement between the first and second body portions of the device. 
     One particularly preferred aspect of the above noted structure included as part of the pivoting engagement is that it locks the toilet seat device in the fully deployed position under normal use conditions (i.e. the “first locked position”) with endwalls adjacent each pivoting engagement in a biased contact with each other and that respective pivoting engagement in the first locked position. This biased contact eliminates gaps between the adjacent segments at the pivoting engagements, thereby eliminating a potential source of pinching of the skin of the child sitting atop the device. The locking aspect of this same structure further prevents pinching that would otherwise occur in the same location were the device to move slightly in and out of the deployed position as a result of the child&#39;s movement atop the device. Such moving in and out of the deployed position would result in the opening and closing of slight gaps between adjacent segments at the pivoting engagements that could grab and pinch the sitting child&#39;s skin. 
     This same structure allowing for the biased contact of the endwalls of adjacent segments at each pivoting engagement while in the first locked position, also provides the above noted auditory signal or feedback and/or tactile signal or feedback that notifies the caregiver-user the device is in the fully deployed position. This allows the caregiver-user to avoid placing the child on a seat that is not fully deployed, which can result in pinching of the skin as the endwalls of the adjacent segments come together. 
     A second aspect of the structure included in each such pivoting engagement provides an auditory signal or feedback and/or a tactile signal or feedback notifying the caregiver-user that the device is in the fully collapsed configuration (i.e. moved to the “second locked position”). This collapsed feedback is provided by pivoting engagements between the segments forming the first and second portions of the body and a pivoting engagement between the first and second portions of the body, where projections and recesses thereon are rotated to the second locked position to thereby hold the device in the fully collapsed configuration to prevent the device from partially deploying when stowed in the caregiver-user&#39;s bag. To move back to the deployed position and the first locked position of each pivoting engagement requires the user to exert force to overcome the lock formed at each pivoting engagement while in the second locked position and then to rotate each pivoting engagement to the first locked position where each pivoting engagement exerts a biasing force to bias the endwalls adjacent thereto to a biased contact with each other. Moving out of the first locked position for the plurality of pivoting engagements requires force exertion by the user to unlock each of the pivoting engagements and to rotate it back toward and to the second locked position. 
     As noted, using a folding sequence of the first and second segments, and the third and fourth segments, followed by a folding of the pivoting engagement between the first body portion and second body portion, the toilet seat device, herein, is folded from the enlarged deployed configuration to a collapsed configuration. In this highly compact collapsed configuration, the device is easily stowed in a purse or carrying case for use when needed, thereby encouraging ongoing use at home and during travel from the home to provide continuous toilet training to a toddler or simply a comfortable sitting platform for small-yet-toilet-trained children when faced with the need to sit atop a conventional toilet seat. 
     Particularly preferred in all modes of the device herein, is the formation and positioning of a first recess on the bottom surface of the body on the first segment of the first body portion and a second recess on the bottom surface of the body on the third segment of the second body portion. Through this recessed positioning, the second segment of the first body portion, when folded in the pivoting engagement, will be positioned within the first recess, and the fourth segment of the second body portion will settle into the second recess. So positioned in the respective recesses, when the first body portion is folded along the pivoting engagement with the second body portion, a significant enhancement to the compact volume of the device in the collapsed position is achieved over a mode of the device without such recesses. 
     In concert with the recesses formed in the bottom or lower surface of the body of the toilet seat device herein is the provision of a non-slip skirt or ledge extending around the exterior perimeter edge of the toilet seat device which is clearly visible in the deployed position. This skirt provides an especially secure, non-slip engagement when the body of the toilet seat device herein is positioned for use atop an underlying toilet seat. This skirt may be formed by an extending ledge which will form a non-slip contact with the underlying toilet seat. More preferably, the ledge will be formed of a pliable polymeric material which will slightly deform to match the contour of the surface of the underlying toilet seat, thereby increasing the amount of the surface area of the skirt or ledge in frictional engagement with the toilet seat below. Additionally preferred is that the pliable skirt or ledge is formed of a polymeric material or a thermoplastic elastomer having a durometer which is between Shore 40A and Shore 80A with a current favorite durometer being between Shore 45A and Shore 60A which has shown to be durable yet pliable and to enhance the frictional engagement with the toilet seat surface on top of which the toilet seat device herein is used when in the deployed configuration in an as-used positioning located atop the underlying toilet seat. 
     Further, the skirt or ledge extending substantially around the exterior circumference of the deployed seat device herein, helps maintain a separation distance for the skin and body of the user sitting atop the toilet seat device from the surface of the underlying toilet seat, which may not be in the most hygienic of conditions. 
     Additionally preferred in the toilet seat device is a shaping of the mating portions of the pivotally engaged segments with curved intersections of endwalls at each of the pivoting engagements between sections. These curved intersections of the endwalls with the top surface of the body of the device form a curved V-shape. Experimentation with differing shapes at the contact point between pivotally engaged segments forming the body has shown that forming complementary curves or curving endwalls at the upper corners of pivotally engaged segments where such corners communicate with the top surface of the body provide a significant enhancement in the prevention of pinching of the skin of a toddler or small child situated on the top surface during use. Where a small child is the user, the prevention of any negative feedback is paramount to the voluntary and enthusiastic use of the toilet seat device during toilet training. 
     With respect to the above description, before explaining at least one preferred embodiment of the herein disclosed collapsible toilet seat device in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangement of the components or method steps within the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The device and system herein described and disclosed in the various modes and combinations is also capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways which will be obvious to those skilled in the art upon reviewing this disclosure. Any such alternative configuration or equivalent as would occur to those skilled in the art is considered within the scope of this patent. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other collapsible toilet seat devices and methods for carrying out the several purposes of the present disclosed device. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent construction and methodology insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING FIGURES 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate some, but not the only nor the exclusive examples of embodiments and/or features of the disclosed collapsible toilet seat device. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative of the invention herein, rather than limiting in any fashion. 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG.  1    depicts a top perspective view of the toilet seat device herein in a deployed configuration of the body thereof adapted for sitting atop a conventional toilet seat in an as-used positioning, to support a child thereon. 
         FIG.  2    depicts a perspective view of the bottom of the body forming the toilet seat device of  FIG.  1    showing the pivoting engagement of a first body portion to a second body portion and the pivoting engagements of the multiple segments thereof having respective recesses formed therein. 
         FIG.  3    shows a bottom view of the device of  FIG.  1   , from the same perspective view as  FIG.  2   , depicting a folding sequence in broken lines to move the multiple pivoting engagements from the first locked position of  FIG.  2   , to the second locked position, to both configure the toilet seat to the collapsed configuration of  FIG.  4    from the deployed configuration of  FIG.  1   , and hold it in that position. 
         FIG.  4    shows the device of  FIGS.  1 - 3    in a collapsed configuration subsequent to the folding sequence of  FIG.  3    wherein all three pivoting engagements have been rotated to the second locked position. 
         FIG.  5    depicts a side view of the device in the collapsed configuration of  FIG.  4    showing the positioning of segments within recesses to significantly enhance the compactness of the device in the collapsed position of  FIG.  4   . 
         FIG.  6    is a view of the device from an opposite side of the device as depicted in  FIG.  5    showing the compact positioning of segments within recesses. 
         FIG.  7    shows the device of  FIG.  4    in a perspective view and shows line  8 - 8  which refers to the sectional view therethrough in  FIG.  8   . 
         FIG.  8    depicts a sectional view through  FIG.  7   , along line  8 - 8  thereof, showing the device in the collapsed configuration with portions nesting within respective recesses on the first and second segments and also shows an enlarged depiction of the flange having a ledge consisting of a preferred pliable covering engaged thereon. 
         FIG.  9    depicts an outside perimeter view of the second pivoting engagement between the first and second segments of the toilet seat device, which operates in the same fashion as the third pivoting engagement between the third and fourth segments, enabling the movement between the deployed configuration of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  10    depicts a lower perspective view of the second or pivoting engagement of  FIG.  9   , which is typical also of the third pivoting engagement, such as a hinge showing second projections which will removably hold respective segments in the collapsed position. 
         FIG.  10 A  shows a perspective view of the first pivoting engagement between the two body portions of the device as in  FIGS.  14 - 16    which is depicted in the first locked position to maintain the device in the deployed configuration which maintains the endwalls in a biased contact such as in  FIG.  1   , and which can also be rotated to the second locked position to maintain the device in the collapsed configuration such as in  FIG.  4   . 
         FIG.  11    shows two segments of the device in the second pivoting engagement which is substantially similar to that of the third pivoting engagement and formed by a hinge but viewed from the central opening of the toilet seat device. 
         FIG.  12    shows the pivoting segments, such as in  FIG.  11    and  FIG.  19   , rotated in the pivoting engagement to the first locked position yielding the deployed configuration of  FIG.  1    and showing the biased contact of the endwalls of the segments imparted by the pivoting engagements and the particularly preferred curved sections on opposing segments, which form a no-pinch recess for seating atop the device. 
         FIG.  13    depicts an exploded view of the second pivoting engagement which is substantially similar to the third pivoting engagement and formed by a hinge as is currently employed between the first and second and third and fourth segments of the device forming the two body portions. 
         FIG.  14    shows a perspective view of the first pivoting engagement in the first locked position as in  FIG.  10 A  with hatching to more clearly show the different components forming a locked engagement. 
         FIG.  15    shows a side view of the first pivoting engagement of  FIG.  14    and  FIG.  10 A  showing the endwalls of the first body portion and second body portion held in a biased contact with each other by the first pivoting engagement in the first locked position, and showing the curved intersection of the endwalls with the top surface of the device. 
         FIG.  16    depicts a sectional view of the first pivoting engagement between the body portions of the device along line  16 - 16  of  FIG.  14   , and shows the secondary projection and the second locking member having a recess in which the secondary projection engages in the second locked position, to hold the body portions to the collapsed position. 
         FIG.  17    is another view of the device as in  FIG.  11    showing another view of the second pivoting engagement which, as noted, is of the same configuration as the third pivoting engagement having a hinge formed of opposing hinge members and a pin, which will impart a biased contact of the endwalls when in the first locked position shown in  FIG.  19   . 
         FIG.  18    shows a sectional view running through the hinge member of the second pivoting engagement of the device as in  FIG.  17   , which is the same configuration as the third pivoting engagement, which provides a clearer view of the first and second projections which engage against the sidewall of the complimentary recess to hold the device in the deployed and collapsed configurations with the endwalls in biased contact. 
         FIG.  19    shows the second pivoting engagement of  FIGS.  17 - 18    rotated to the first locked position to show the biased contact of the endwalls of the engaged segments being forced towards each other as imparted by the first projection positioned against a sidewall of the complementary recess, and which is of the same operation and configuration in the third pivoting engagement. 
     
    
    
     Other aspects of the present toilet seat invention will be more readily understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and the following detailed description, neither of which should be considered limiting. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     In this description, the directional prepositions of up, upwardly, down, downwardly, front, back, top, upper, bottom, lower, left, right and other such terms refer to the toilet seat device as it is oriented and appears in the drawings and are used for convenience only; they are not intended to be limiting or to imply that the device has to be used or positioned in any particular orientation. 
     Now referring to drawings in  FIGS.  1 - 19   , wherein similar components are identified by like reference numerals, there can be seen in  FIG.  1    the disclosed collapsible toilet seat device  10  herein, in a deployed configuration of the body  12  thereof showing an upper surface  14  opposite the lower surface  16  shown in  FIG.  2   . In this deployed configuration of  FIGS.  1 - 2   , the device  10  is adapted for positioning to an as-used or mounted position atop a conventional toilet seat, with a flange  15  which preferably has a pliable cover  17  engaged thereon, in contact with the top surface of the conventional toilet seat. In this mounted position, the upper surface  14  of the device  10  herein, is positioned whereby a toddler or small child may sit thereon, supported over the underlying conventional toilet (not shown but well known). 
     The body  12  is substantially U-shaped in the deployed configuration shown in  FIGS.  1 - 2    and has a first body portion  18  connected to a second body portion  20  in a first pivoting engagement  22 . This first body portion  18  is formed of a first segment  24  and a second segment  25  which are in a second pivoting engagement  26  therebetween. The second body portion  20  is formed of a third segment  28  and a fourth segment  30 , which are in a third pivoting engagement  32  therebetween. 
     Also shown in  FIGS.  1 - 3    is the central opening  34  which is positioned between the first body portion  18  and the second body portion  20  and the flange  15  which projects away from the segments of the first body portion  18  and the second body portion  20  forming the body  12 , substantially along an exterior circumference of the formed body  12 . The flange  15  includes a pliable cover  17  engaged thereon in a position wherein a portion of the cover  17  will contact against an underlying toilet seat, with the device  10  positioned thereon. 
     As shown in  FIG.  2    and  FIG.  3   , on the lower surface  16  of the body  12 , the first segment  24  of the first body portion  18  has a first recess  36  formed therein. Also shown is the second recess  38  formed into the lower surface  16  of the third segment  28  of the second body portion  20  of the body  12 . As noted, the first recess  36  is dimensioned for a recessed positioning of the second segment  25  therein when rotated to place the body  12  in the collapsed configuration of  FIG.  4   . Additionally shown, the second recess  38  is dimensioned for a recessed or nesting positioning therein of the fourth segment  30 , when the body  12  is configured to the collapsed configuration shown in  FIG.  4   . 
     As can be seen in  FIGS.  2 - 3   , the first pivoting engagement  22 , the second pivoting engagement  26 , and the third pivoting engagement  32  may be formed by hinges rotating around an engaged hinge pin  40 . However, as noted above, other pivoting engagements which will allow rotational or pivoting engagements between the segments may be employed as would occur to those skilled in the art. For pinch protection of the person sitting atop the device  10 , it is preferable that such pivoting engagements provide the biasing force to urge the adjacent engaged components toward each other with the device  10  in the deployed position, as shown for example in  FIG.  15    and  FIG.  19   . 
       FIGS.  4 - 8    show the device  10  with the body  12  positioned in the collapsed configuration, from the deployed configuration of  FIGS.  1 - 3   . As noted, this change in configuration is accomplished through a sequenced folding of the respective segments forming one of the first body portion  18  or the second body portion  20 , and then the other of the first body portion  18  or the second body portion  20 . Once the respective segments forming both the first body portion  18  and the second body portion  20  have been folded along broken lines F 1  and F 2  of  FIG.  3   , to place the respective second segment  25  into the first recess  36  and the fourth segment  30  into the second recess  38 , the first body portion  18  is then folded against the second body portion  20 , or vice versa, as shown along broken line F 3  of  FIG.  3   . This sequential folding, such as shown in  FIG.  3   , positions the body  12  in the collapsed configuration of  FIG.  4   . 
     Shown in  FIG.  4    is a view of the top surface  14  of the device  10  with the body  12  folded to the noted collapsed configuration. As can be seen and is preferred in all modes of the device  10 , in the collapsed configuration, the body  12  has an area defined by the perimeter edge looking from overhead as in  FIG.  4   , which is substantially 25-30% of the total area of the body  12  as compared with the deployed configuration of  FIGS.  1 - 3   . 
     This recessed positioning of the second segment  25  into the first recess  36  and the recessed positioning of the fourth segment  30  into the second recess  38  located in the third segment  28 , and the subsequent folding of the first body portion  18  against the second body portion  20 , or vice versa, configures the device  10  to the most compact configuration. In this collapsed configuration it is significantly smaller than the body  12  in the deployed configuration, making it small and compact for carrying in a bag or a purse. Being storable in a small area, the device  10  is easily carried and deployed for use in locations remote to the home. 
       FIG.  5   , as noted, is a side view of the body  12  of the device  10  folded to the collapsed configuration as in  FIG.  4   . As shown, the second segment  25  is rotationally engaged to the first segment  24  by the second pivoting engagement  26  and is positioned within the first recess  36 . Also, the fourth segment  30  is rotationally engaged to the third segment  28  by the third pivoting engagement  28  and rotated to a stowed position within the second recess  38 . 
     This nesting of the second segment  25  within the first recess  36  and the fourth segment  30  within the second recess  38  allows the device  10  to be folded to an overall height which is substantially 20% smaller in a collapsed height, defined by the distance between the upper surface  14  on the first segment  24  and the upper surface  14  on the third segment  28 , than it would be without such a nesting configuration. 
     In  FIGS.  5 - 6   , the device  10  is depicted in the collapsed configuration. In the collapsed configuration, the first body portion  18  has been folded against the second body portion  20  such that the top surfaces  14  of the second segment  25  and of the fourth segment  30  are in a contact with each other. The view of the device  10 , with the body  12  in the collapsed configuration shown in  FIG.  6   , is a view opposite the view from the arched edge side of  FIG.  5   . Also shown are the first endwall  24 A and the second endwall  25 A on opposing sides of the second pivoting engagement  26 , and the third endwall  28 A and the fourth endwall  30 A on opposing sides of the third pivoting engagement  32 . As noted below, these respective endwalls on opposing sides of each of the second pivoting engagement  26  and third pivoting engagement  32  move to form a respective biased contact with each other when the device  10  is moved to the deployed position as in  FIG.  1   . 
     Depicted in  FIG.  7    is the body  12  of the device  10  in the collapsed configuration as in  FIG.  4    but in a perspective view thereof. As can be seen, the second segment  25  is folded and positioned to nest entirely within the first recess  36  in the first segment  24 . The fourth segment  30  has been folded to a nesting position entirely located within the second recess  38  of the third segment  28 . This configuration, in the collapsed position, can also be seen in  FIG.  8   , which shows a sectional view of  FIG.  7    along line  8 - 8  shown in  FIG.  7   . As noted, the nesting of the second segment  25  within the first recess  36  in the first segment  24 , and of the fourth segment  30  within the second recess  38  in the third segment  28 , significantly reduces the thickness and thus the size of the device  10  in the collapsed configuration. 
     Additionally shown in an enlarged view in  FIG.  8    is the flange  15  which, as noted above, projects from the device  10  substantially about the perimeter thereof. While the device  10  will perform well with the flange  15  in contact with an underlying toilet seat, preferably the pliable cover  17  is engaged to the flange  15  such that the pliable cover  17  will contact against an underlying toilet seat with the device  10  positioned thereon. As noted above, the pliable cover  17  is formed of a pliable polymeric material or a thermoplastic elastomer having a durometer which will aid it to better form to the contour of the underlying toilet seat and to increase both the area of frictional engagement as well as enhancing the frictional engagement itself, and thereby prevent slipping and sliding of the device  10  when deployed. 
     Depicted in  FIGS.  9 - 10  and  11 - 13    are views of a preferred pivoting engagement employed between the four segments forming the two body portions of the device  10  such as the second pivoting engagement  26  and third pivoting engagement  32 . For ease of explanation, the depicted second pivoting engagement  26  provided by a hinge is shown between the first segment  24  of the first body portion  18  and the second segment  25  of the first body portion  18  in  FIGS.  9  and  10  and  11 - 13   . The same configuration is employed to form the third pivoting engagement  32  where hinge members are connected to the third segment  28  and fourth segment  30 , and the first projections  41  and second projections  42  are operatively positioned thereon to engage with a locking member  49  as described with relation to the second pivoting engagement  26 . 
     As can be seen in  FIGS.  9  and  10   , the hinge defining the second pivoting engagement  26  has hinge members  62  with a set of first projections  41  and a set of second projections  42  positioned thereon. Also shown are complementary recesses  43 . Each of the complementary sized recesses  43  align respectively with both the first projections  41  and second projections  42 . 
     Sidewalls of each complementary recess  43  will contact and engage with a respective second projection  42  during a “click to close” function to move the device  10  to the collapsed configuration shown in  FIG.  7    and to the second locked position. Sidewalls of each complementary recess  43  will contact and engage with a respective first projection  41 , during the “click to open” function, to achieve the first locked position which corresponds with the device  10  reaching the deployed position in  FIG.  1   . This contact, as shown in  FIG.  19   , also imparts a biasing between the adjacent segments such that the endwalls thereof are in a biased contact towards each other when the device  10  is in the deployed position of  FIG.  1   . Common to hinges  26  and  32 , the first projections  41  and second projections  42  rotate concurrently with rotation of a hinge member  62  portion of the formed hinge, such as that forming the depicted second pivoting engagement  26 . 
     In operation, to move segments of the device  10  to the collapsed configuration, as in  FIG.  4   , surfaces on or adjacent the second projections  42  will slide past a leading edge of a respective complementary recess  43  located on an adjacent segment such as the depicted first segment  24 . As the second segment  25  is rotated toward and into a nesting position within the first recess  36 , movement of each second projection  42  past the leading edge and into a respective engagement within a complementary recess  43  will cause an audible sound and/or tactile click or vibration as the second projection  42  passes over a leading edge. 
     While in the collapsed configuration, each of the second projections  42  will remain in a removably locked engagement within a respective complementary recess  43  in the second locked position. As shown, but common to all the segments in such a pivoting engagement, this second locked engagement of each second projection  42  within a complementary recess  43  holds the second segment  25  in a nesting position within the first recess  36 . 
     Also, as depicted in  FIGS.  9  and  10   , for convenience but also common to the third pivoting engagement  32 , when the second segment  25  is rotated toward the deployed position of the device  10  as in  FIGS.  1 - 2   , each first projection  41  will rotate into and form a biased engagement within a respective complementary recess  43  to reach the first locked position. During this movement of each first projection  41  into a respective complementary recess  43 , an audible noise and/or tactile feedback for the “click to open” signal is generated. The feedback is generated by movement of the first projections  41  past and over a leading edge on the complementary recesses  43  and a subsequent resulting collision and contact of the contact surface  48  of the second segment  25  against the contact surface  48  of the first segment  24 , as shown in  FIG.  12   . As can be seen in  FIG.  19   , a biasing force to hold the endwalls of the adjacent segments is imparted by the second pivoting engagement  26  as shown, as well as the third pivoting engagement  32  which operates the same. 
     This locked engagement of the first projections  41  within the complementary recesses  43  (i.e. the first locked position) also locks the device in the deployed position of  FIG.  1   . The biased contact of the endwalls of the two segments eliminates gaps between the first segment  24  and the second segment  25  and prevents pinching that would otherwise occur were the device to move slightly in and out of the deployed position of  FIG.  1    as a result of the child&#39;s movement atop the device. Such moving in and out of the deployed position of  FIG.  1    would result in the opening and closing of slight gaps between the first segment  24  and the second segment  25  that could grab and pinch the child&#39;s skin. 
     Shown in  FIG.  10 A , is a typical pivoting engagement employed for the first pivoting engagement  22  forming a rotating connection between the first body portion  18  with the second body portion  20 . With the device  10  moved to the deployed position such as in  FIG.  1   , the biased contact of the locking members  49  against the locking projections  51 , when in the first locked position, will secure and hold the first segment  24  of the first body portion  18  aligned with the third segment  28  of the second body portion  20 . 
     A deflection and rebound of the locking members  49 , as the locking projections  51  move over them, will cause additional auditory and/or tactile feedback for a “click to open” signal as the device moves into the first locked position and the endwalls form the biased contact. Movement of the device  10  to the collapsed position will first disengage the locking projections  51  from the locking members  49  and will cause secondary projections  52  to rotate and engage with a second set of second locking members  55  ( FIG.  16   ) that operate in a manner similar to locking members  49 . The second locking members  55  are formed on the third segment  28  of the second body portion  20  also shown in  FIG.  16   . 
     Also shown in  FIGS.  9 ,  10 , and  11 - 13   , curved edges  46  of the adjacent segments are formed at the intersection of the endwalls with the upper surface  14  of the body  12  formed by the adjacent first segment  24  and second segment  25 . These same curved edges  46  run along segments  24  and  25 ,  28  and  30 , and additionally between segments  24  and  28 , which are adjacent any of the pivoting engagements herein,  22 ,  26 ,  32 , and are preferred in that such form a V-shaped recess  50  with opposing curved walls, shown for example in  FIG.  12   . Such a recess  50 , formed preferably with opposing curved sidewall portions, is formed along a seam wherever a pivoting engagement is positioned in between the multiple segments of the first body portion  18  and second body portion  20 , as well as between the first body portion  18  and the second body portion  20  adjacent the first pivoting engagement  22  therebetween. 
     The recesses  50  in the top surface  14 , so formed adjacent each of the pivoting engagements  22 ,  26 , and  32 , with the preferred opposing curved walls  46 , in combination with the biased contact of the endwalls of the segments and body portions, define a means to prevent pinching of the skin or body of a user, such as a toddler seated upon the top surface  14  of the body  12  of the device  10 . 
     Shown in  FIG.  13   , is an exploded view of a pivoting engagement such as formed by a hinge, such as the second pivoting engagement  26 , and would be of the same configuration and operation in the third pivoting engagement  32 , where hinge members  62  are operatively engaged upon a hinge pin  35  or the like. Such is currently preferred for the second pivoting engagement  26  between the first segment  24  and second segment  25 , as well as third pivoting engagement  32  engaged between the third segment  28  and fourth segment  30 . 
     Shown for clarity is one of the plurality of first projections  41  and the plurality of second projections  42  formed upon a hinge member  62 , which as noted, will respectively hold the device  10  in either the deployed position of  FIGS.  1 - 2    (i.e. the first locked position) or the collapsed position of  FIGS.  4  and  7   , (i.e. the second locked position). As noted, when in the deployed position the first projections  41  move to respective biased engagements against the sidewalls within complementary recesses  43 , and when in the collapsed configuration, the second projections  42  move to respective engagement within respective complementary recesses  43 . 
       FIGS.  14 - 16    show additional views of the first pivoting engagement  22  as in  FIG.  10 A  and  FIG.  1   . As can be seen in  FIGS.  14  and  15   , the locking member  49  has a leading edge  59  adjacent a ledge  57  or recess thereon. In moving to the locked position used to hold the device  10  in the deployed position, the locking projection  51  will contact and move over the leading edge  59  surface of the locking member  49  and deflect slightly before landing in position against a side surface  61  of the ledge  57 . 
     While the locking projection  51  is shown in  FIGS.  14 - 15    as formed as part of the hinge member  62  which is engaged with the second body portion  20 , and the locking member  49  is shown as formed as part of the first body portion  18 , such may be reversed. Forming the locking member  49  from a polymeric flexible material allows for the noted temporary slight deflection. 
     Also best seen in  FIG.  15   , a biasing force to urge the endwalls  44  and  47  adjacent the first pivoting engagement  22  into a biased contact towards and against each other, is provided by the contact of the locking projection  51  against side surface  61  of the ledge  57 . The side slanted surface  61  is sloped and positioned to provide this contact against the side of the locking projection  51  and to impart a biasing force to rotate the hinge member  62  engaged to the second body portion  20  toward the first body portion  18 . In this fashion, a biased contact of the endwalls  44  and  47  is formed so long as the device  10  is in the deployed position. 
     As noted,  FIG.  16    depicts a sectional view of the first pivoting engagement  22  between the body portions of the device along line  16 - 16  of  FIG.  14   . As shown, the secondary projection  52  will rotate with the first body portion  18 , if formed as part thereof, and will contact against and traverse over a leading edge  69  of the secondary locking member  55  and slightly deflect it before the secondary projection  52  contacts within a recess  71  area located upon the secondary locking member  55 . 
     This positioning of the secondary projection  52  within the recess  71  acts to removably hold the first body portion  18  and second body portion  20  in the collapsed position, as in  FIG.  7    and  FIG.  8   . Both the locking member  49  and the secondary locking member  55  are preferably formed of polymeric material which will slightly deflect and slightly flex as either the locking projection  51  or secondary projection  52  traverse across the respective leading edge  59  or  69  surface as the device  10  is moved between the collapsed and deployed configurations. 
     A tactilely felt and/or audible click occurs as the locking projection  51  and/or the secondary projection  52  traverse over the respective leading edge  59  of the locking member  49  and the second locking member  55  and moves into or out of engagement within a respective ledge  57  or recess  71 . Concurrent contact of the two endwalls  44  and  47  adjacent the first pivoting engagement  22  while moving to the biased contact therebetween, will also contribute to the audible click sound and tactilely felt vibration. 
     Shown in  FIG.  17   , is another view of the device  10  as in  FIGS.  11 - 13   . As can be seen, a hinge member  62  connected to the second segment  25  has the first projection  41  and the second projection  42  formed on the hinge member  62  opposite the position of the first projection  41 . The same configuration would be formed in the third pivoting engagement  32  between the third segment  28  and fourth segment  30 . Such can also be seen as depicted in  FIG.  18    and  FIG.  19    which depict the device  10  as in  FIG.  17    but in a sectional view through the hinge member  62  connected with the second segment  25 . 
     As can be seen in  FIGS.  18 - 19   , rotating the second segment  25  and the hinge member  62  engaged therewith in a clockwise direction toward the first segment  24  will position the first projection  41  into the complementary recess  43  formed into the underside of the first segment  24  to hold the two segments  24  and  25  in the deployed configuration. Rotating the second segment  25  in a counterclockwise direction will concurrently rotate the hinge member  62  to disengage the first projection  41  from the complementary recess  43  and position the second projection  42  within the complementary recess  43  to hold the second segment  25  within the first recess  36  in the first segment  24 . The same operation is employed with the third pivoting engagement  32  between the third segment  28  and fourth segment  30 . Also, as noted, while the pivoting engagements and hinge members  62  herein are shown as formed as part of a particular component in a rotational engagement with a secondary component, the positions can be reversed. 
     Shown in  FIG.  19    is the biased contact of the first endwall  24 A against the second endwall  25 A when the second pivoting engagement  26  is moved to the first locked position to hold the device  10  in the deployed position. The first projection  41  is traversed past the leading edge  58  and into the complementary recess  43  where the first projection  41  is in contact against a slanted sidewall  64  of the recess  43 . This contact with the sidewall  64  is a biased contact that will continuously urge the hinge member  62  to rotate toward the first segment  24  which imparts a continuous biased contact between the first sidewall  24 A and second sidewall  25 A with the device  10  locked in the deployed position. 
     This same biasing action occurs between the sidewalls  28 A of the third segment  28  and  30 A of the fourth segment  30  ( FIG.  5   ) at the third pivoting engagement  32  as it is structurally and functionally the same as the depicted second pivoting engagement  26 . As noted above, it is the biased contact of all the sidewalls positioned at the first pivoting engagement  22 , the second pivoting engagement  26 , and the third pivoting engagement  32  which prevents gaps from forming and any pinching which might occur where such a biased contact of the respective adjacent endwalls not in place. As such, this biased contact of all opposing respective endwalls at each of the three pivoting engagements is especially preferred herein. 
     While all of the fundamental characteristics and features of the collapsible toilet seat invention have been shown and described herein, with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modification, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosure and it will be apparent that in some instances, some features of the invention may be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth. It should also be understood that various substitutions, modifications, and variations may be made by those skilled in the art, for various structural and functional components, without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention or claims herein. Consequently, all such modifications and variations and substitutions are considered to be included within the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.