Patent Publication Number: US-2010127607-A1

Title: Modular electronics cabinet for toilets

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable 
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
     Not Applicable 
     SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates in general to electronic storage cabinets and more particularly to a modular electronics storage cabinet for toilets. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     The present invention provides a means to place an electronics device in the bathroom, such as a CD stereo system, DVD player, TV monitor or computer. Several purposes for such a need are suggested as follows:
         1) Multitasking: In a busy world, people tend to desire ways to multitask in order to make the best use of their time. As a good amount of time is usually spent in the bathroom every day, it can be beneficial to optimize the use of this time by multitasking. While performing routine tasks in the bathroom, a person can listen to the radio or watch morning news shows from a TV. A computer monitor can add multimedia capabilities such as displaying useful information from the Internet, such as stock market data and weather forecasts.   2) Entertainment: An electronics device installed in the bathroom can serve as entertainment. For example, while having a relaxing soak in the bathtub, the experience could be enhanced with entertainment from a CD player for music or by watching a movie from a DVD player.   3) Background Noise: Many apartments and homes are built with very thin walls and doors that allow sounds to easily penetrate them. Many people are terrified with the possibility of typical bathroom noises being overheard. To save this embarrassment, some people are known to continually flush the toilet to produce a background noise that is intended to hide any other noises, thereby wasting a lot of water in the process. A sound producing device, such as a stereo player could help cover normal bathroom noises.       

     Previous art devices have addressed this need, as can be reviewed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,253,375 (Prosper) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,465,422 (Dean). U.S. Pat. No. 5,978,975 (Asskaryar) provides for a sound system that is formed specifically into the lid for the toilet tank, thereby replacing the stock tank lid. While this prior art fulfills some objectives presented forthwith, the present inventor has improved upon the concept of placing an electronics device onto a toilet. 
     The present invention is a unique modular electronics cabinet for toilets that provides the space for the mounting of a virtually unlimited variety of electronic components such as stereo systems, DVD players, TV monitors and computers. The cabinet&#39;s modular design allows it to be placed onto virtually any toilet&#39;s water tank while allowing other modular cabinets to be stacked above or below it. Importantly, this design also allows the stock tank lid to be retained, in order to help preserve the stock look of the toilet. Further, the present invention is designed to work in conjunction with a toilet ventilator, where the ventilator can automatically activate the electronics mounted inside the cabinet. 
     Various other objects and advantages of the present invention, and its most novel features, will be particularly pointed out in this disclosure. 
     OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a modular, stackable cabinet that is used primarily for the placement, display and activation of a wide variety of electronic products. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a bathroom electronics cabinet that can be readily fitted to and removed from an existing toilet tank system and that requires no bathroom alterations or special tools to install it. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a product that has universal appeal to a wide variety of bathroom settings to provide the most inconspicuous and unobtrusive product as to maintain look the traditional bathroom. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide equipment that will have universal application to a wide variety of new and existing installed toilets. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide an electronics cabinet with features whereby a manufacturer can mount components into the cabinet and offer a finished product to the consumer, or, the cabinet could be purchased directly by the consumer whereby the consumer can install his own components. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a electronics cabinet which is of extremely simple design and of low cost. 
     The present invention accomplishes the above-stated objectives, as well as others, as may be determined by a fair reading and interpretation of the entire specification. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Modular Electronics Cabinet: 
     Modern bathrooms tend to be rather small rooms with limited storage capacity, especially those located in apartments. “Half baths” tend to be even smaller rooms with very little to no storage space. The only surface to place an electronics device is usually on the bathroom sink. This could result in an unsafe condition with the possibility of sink water splashing onto the electronics. Water could also damage or mar it. The problem then is where to place a CD/DVD stereo player or other electronics component in the bathroom. 
     The present invention is a unique modular cabinet for the placement of electronic devices. It is designed to be strategically placed onto the top rim of a standard toilet&#39;s water tank to take advantage of the unused space that exists directly above the average toilet. This modular cabinet provides the space for mounting a virtually unlimited variety of electrical components such as standard car stereo systems, DVD players, TV monitors and computers. The present invention also allows for many cabinet sizes, shapes and front door variations, depending on how much space that is desired along with the type of electronic device that is to be stored. 
     Space for additional apparatus can be mounted both internally and externally. Space is available on the front and sides of the cabinet for display and control mechanisms. Space is available inside the cabinet for the mounting of elements such as speakers, battery packs and power supplies. The back side of the cabinet provides space for an electronics input/output panel that can allow any type of electronic signal as an input to or output from the cabinet. Examples of this would be an Ethernet input for connectivity with a computer network and sound output jacks to allow the cabinet&#39;s electronics to use an external speaker source. 
     The present invention&#39;s special cabinet is shaped to blend in with the design of the existing water tank for aesthetics. The top of the cabinet has a rim just like that of the water tank to allow the original toilet&#39;s lid to be re-installed. This allows the stock lid to be reused so that the general design of the toilet can be maintained and to help the cabinet blend into the existing bathroom decor. The cabinet can have its own custom top as well. The bottom of the cabinet has adjustable guides so that the cabinet can fit well on a variety of water tank sizes. 
     Another feature of the modular nature of the present invention is that other modular cabinets or special purpose devices can be attached or modularly stacked upon it to add yet other unique features for the bathroom, thus allowing it to work with other apparatus under development by the present inventor. Although the additional features can also be built into the same modular cabinet, they may be best installed as separate devices for the sake of modularity, similar to a component stereo system. Multiple modular cabinets can also take advantage and share each others&#39; resources, such as the use of power supply and electronic control circuits. For example, a control line from the modular cabinet&#39;s electronic circuit could be accessed by another modular cabinet to activate or trigger its circuitry so that the units may work together in concert. For instance, the present invention (with an installed sound producing device) can be stacked onto a toilet ventilator. The ventilator can then supply a control signal to the present invention so that its sound effects (or music) can be automatically started and controlled each time the ventilator system is used. Another example would be to allow a second modular apparatus to share the power supply from the present invention to save the need for numerous power cords. 
     The present invention is apparatus that can either be attached to an existing toilet as an aftermarket product or manufactured in combination with a new toilet. The modular cabinet can be offered to the consumer as a raw case, allowing the consumer to supply all the components for a customized product. This would enable the consumer to select the desired specifications and quality of all the components. The modular cabinet could also be an element for an original equipment manufacturer, who could produce off-the-shelf products for the consumer. 
     Electronics for Entertainment: 
     The present invention can serve as entertainment in the bathroom. An installed CD/DVD stereo in the modular cabinet can play prerecorded files from a CD or DVD or can play radio broadcasts. The DVD player can be used to watch a movie or TV show, which might be desired during a long bath. Since most electronic players come furnished with a remote control, the player can be controlled from a distance (such as from the bath tub). 
     Modular Cabinet as a Stand-Alone Device: 
     The present invention&#39;s modular cabinet also functions as a standalone device. It can quickly and easily be removed from its place on the toilet tank and moved anywhere in the bathroom or house. For example, in case the toilet is not within good viewing distance or angle from the tub (where a user might want to watch TV), a user can simply remove it from the toilet tank and move it to any desired location. 
     Sound as a Background Noise: 
     As previously mentioned, many apartments and homes are built with very thin walls and doors that allow sounds to easily penetrate them. Many people are terrified of with the possibility of typical bathroom noises being overheard. To save this embarrassment, some people are known to continually flush the toilet to produce a background noise that is intended to hide any other noises that might be made, and wasting a lot of water in the process. 
     The present invention helps solve this problem by providing a cabinet for the mounting of a source for producing sound, such as a CD stereo player. A sound generator within the modular cabinet could be provided with prerecorded music (or sound effects) and a volume level control that can adequately mask any other normal bathroom sounds. Indeed, one of the sound selections from the sound generator could be the recording of a continually flushing toilet. 
     Works with Toilet Ventilation Devices: 
     The present invention is designed to work in conjunction with a specially developed automatic toilet ventilator system that was designed by the present inventor and documented in U.S. Pat. No. 7,380,292 (Harris). The present invention is designed to stack onto the ventilator to provide automatic background sounds while the ventilator is on and the toilet is in use. Any electronic devices stored within the present invention&#39;s cabinet can be automatically activated and deactivated by the ventilator, such as a stereo music player. The ventilator&#39;s power supply can also be shared. 
     Automatic Sound Operation: 
     The present invention can be provided with an input from an external device, such as the previously mentioned toilet ventilator, that would allow the sound producing device to become automatically activated and deactivated. 
     Unlimited Sound (or Music) Variety: 
     The modular nature of this invention allows most any type of sound producing device to be installed, including devices that offer an unlimited number of sound possibilities such as music players that employ user installed CDs or removable compact memory chips that allow the consumer to use his own recordings. A radio could also be used. 
     Bathroom and Toilet Aesthetics: 
     One main object of the present invention is to provide the most inconspicuous and unobtrusive device as to maintain look the traditional bathroom. The present invention achieves this by the previously mentioned features: The present invention fully disguises its electronic components by encasing them inside a modular cabinet that is shaped to fit and blend in with the existing toilet design, making it inconspicuous. The aesthetics of the toilet then appear normal, with the appearance of only a slightly taller than usual water tank. This modular cabinet also utilizes the stock water tank lid to better preserve the original toilet aesthetics. The modular cabinet could be provided with its own detachable lid, but reusing the existing toilet water tank lid would retain the original look of the toilet. A cover or door could be utilized on the front panel area to completely disguise and protect the installed components. 
     Universal Applications: 
     An object of the present invention is to provide equipment that will have universal application to a wide variety of new and existing installed toilets. The component of this invention requiring the concern for universal application is the mainly the shape of the water tank mounted modular cabinet and it&#39;s mounting element. 
     The present invention achieves this objective by its modular nature as it can be designed with a generic cabinet shape or skin that can work and look good with a great range of toilet brands and models. Adjustable mounting guides would ensure a perfect fit on any tank, thus enhancing the ability for this product to be more widely used with new and existing toilets. 
     Ease of Installation: 
     It is another object of this invention to provide an apparatus capable of easy installation onto an existing toilet tank of generally standard design that requires no alterations in the toilet. Another goal of this invention is for it to be easily added to an existing toilet and just as easily removed again, such as would be desired by apartment dwellers. 
     The present invention accomplishes this through a very simple design that allows it to be easily installed or uninstalled on conventional toilet tank structures requiring no professional skill or special tools for installation. The modular cabinet is simply sat down in place on top of the water tank, using no fasteners. Guides on the cabinet&#39;s bottom engages the tank&#39;s rim to keep the cabinet securely in place. The top of the modular cabinet has a rim just like the water tank so that the original lid can be attached to it. This modular design allows the cabinet to be easily removed so that quick service can be made to the components inside the water tank, such as freeing up a stuck flush valve. 
     Conclusion: 
     Although only a few embodiments of the present invention have been described, it should be understood that the present invention may be embodied in many other specific forms without departing from the spirit or the scope of the present invention. The present examples are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein, but may be modified within the scope of the appended claims along with their full scope of equivalents. 
     The above mentioned objectives and advantages of this invention and the manner of attaining them will become more apparent and the invention itself will be best understood by reference to the following detailed descriptions of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will become more readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of the modular cabinet as mounted on a standard toilet, and is depicted with an installed CD/DVD stereo player. 
         FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the modular cabinet as mounted on a modular toilet ventilator, and is depicted with an installed CD/DVD stereo player. 
         FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of a compact version of the modular cabinet that can be used to a install small, car style CD/DVD player. 
         FIG. 4  is a rear perspective view of a compact version of the modular cabinet to illustrate an input/output panel and electrical power inlet. 
         FIG. 5  is a front perspective exploded view of a compact version of the modular cabinet to illustrate how a standard radio sleeve mount can be inserted into the cabinet and how a standard car radio can then be inserted into the sleeve mount. 
         FIG. 6  is a front perspective view as in  FIG. 5  but with the sleeve mount and stereo assembly installed as well as a DC power supply and speakers. 
         FIG. 7  is a front perspective view of a compact version of the modular cabinet with a front panel extension adapter added to illustrate how this adapter can allow more space to mount a stereo that may have a long chassis. 
         FIG. 8  is a front perspective view a tall modular cabinet that can be used to accommodate a large TV screen or computer monitor. 
         FIG. 9  is a rear perspective view of a tall modular cabinet to illustrate the input/output panel and electrical power inlet. 
         FIG. 10  is illustrates how two modular electronic cabinets can be modularly stacked, allowing a computer monitor and stereo to both be utilized on the same toilet. 
         FIG. 11  is a front perspective view of a compact version of the modular cabinet with a DVD player installed and its screen displayed in an extended position. 
     
    
    
     DRAWINGS—REFERENCE NUMERALS 
       51  Modular Cabinet Assembly 
       52  Water tank 
       53  Lid, Water tank 
       54  Cabinet, Modular 
       55  Aperture, Electronics Control Panel Access 
       56  Rim 
       57  Guide, Mounting 
       58  Mount, Sleeve (DIN) 
       59  Stereo 
       60  Power Receptacle 
       61  Panel, Input/Output 
       62  Power Supply 
       63  Speaker 
       64  Grill, Speaker 
       65  Adapter, Extension 
       66  Screen, DVD 
       67  Ventilator, Modular Toilet 
       68  Lid, Modular Cabinet 
       69  Panel, Computer Input/Output 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. 
     Various other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will become more readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the figures thereof. 
       FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a compact version of the modular electronics cabinet  54  as mounted on a standard toilet water tank  52 , which is depicted with an installed CD/DVD stereo player that makes up a cabinet assembly  51 . The original tank lid  53  is shown installed onto the cabinet  54 . Speaker grills  64  are visible on both sides of the cabinet  54 . This basic shape and sized housing would accommodate the majority of the available car style CD/DVD players on the market today. This cabinet  54  could be made taller to accommodate the new, larger format car style CD/DVD players that are about twice as tall. The cabinet  54  is perfectly shaped like the toilet tank  52  so that it can blend in better for aesthetics. 
       FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of a modular cabinet  54  as mounted on a modular toilet ventilator  67 , and is depicted with an installed CD/DVD stereo player. A control signal from the ventilator  67  can be used to automatically control any electronics that may be installed inside the cabinet  54 , such as a CD player. Music (or sound effects) from the cabinet  54  could then be automatically played each time the ventilator  67  is activated, and stopped when the ventilator  67  is deactivated. An embodiment of the present invention would encase both the modular electronics cabinet  54  and the ventilator  67  into a single chassis. 
       FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of a compact version of the modular cabinet  54  that can be used to install a small, car style CD/DVD player. This cabinet  54  is shown with optional speaker grills  64  to allow sound to escape the cabinet if internal speakers are installed. An electronics control panel access aperture  55  is used to insert common electronic products, such as car style CD players. This aperture  55  also allows access to the electronic controls that are typically found on the front panel of these players. This aperture  55  could be hidden behind an optional door or cover. A door or cover would not only conceal the installed electronics device, but would also provide protection for it. 
       FIG. 4  is a rear perspective view of a compact version of the modular cabinet  54  to illustrate an optional input/output panel  61  and electrical power inlet  60 . An input/output panel  61  would allow electronic signals to be communicated to and from the cabinet  54 . For example, optional output speaker jacks could be supplied in the panel  61  to allow the use of externally mounted speakers. For another example, an optional input jack could be supplied so that a signal from a toilet ventilator can be received for the purpose of automatically activating electronic devices that are installed in the cabinet  54  with a ventilator device. A mounting rim  56  allows for the original toilet tank lid to be reinstalled to keep the stock look of the toilet for aesthetics. This rim  56  also allows other modular cabinets to be installed upon it. A mounting guide  57  allows the cabinet  54  to be mounted onto the rim of a toilet water tank  52 . This mounting guide  57  also allows the cabinet  54  to be mounted onto other modular cabinets, as shown in  FIG. 10 . 
       FIG. 5  is a front perspective exploded view of a compact version of the modular cabinet  54  to illustrate how a standard radio sleeve mount  58  can be inserted into the modular cabinet  54  and how a standard car radio  59  can then be inserted into the sleeve mount  58 . This mount  58  is not necessary to mount the stereo  59 . The mount  58  is shown here as a possible mounting technique, which is a very common method to install car stereo type systems into car dash panels. If a raw modular cabinet  54  is purchased with an installed mount  58 , then a user can easily install a standard car stereo player  59  by simply sliding it into the sleeve without fasteners.  FIG. 5  also shows how speakers  63  and speaker grills  64  can be used to allow sound emission from the cabinet  54 . A power supply  62  is used for the case that the installed radio  59  needs DC power. The power supply  62  can convert household 120/240 Volts AC power to 12 Volts DC, which is a typical voltage requirement for car stereo systems. An optional input/output panel  61  provides connectivity with external devices. An optional removable top panel can be used as a lid over the installed electronic components for protection, though it not necessary since the original toilet lid  53  (see  FIG. 1 ) can be reinstalled. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a completed electronic cabinet assembly where a stereo sleeve mount  58 , a stereo  59 , a DC power supply  62  and speakers  63  are all installed into an electronics cabinet  54 . This cabinet  54  is also supplied with speaker grills  64  and an input/output panel  61 . 
       FIG. 7  is a front perspective view of a compact version of the modular cabinet with a front panel extension adapter  65  added to the cabinet  54 . This adapter  65  allows extra stereo mounting depth for some aftermarket car style CD/DVD stereo players that are rather large in dimensions. This adapter  65  thus enables the use of a larger sized electronic device with a standard sized cabinet  54  that is perfectly sized to fit a toilet tank  52  (depicted in  FIG. 1 ). 
       FIG. 8  is a front perspective view a tall version of the modular cabinet  54  that can be used to accommodate a large TV screen or touch-screen computer monitor. An entire computer could even be assembled inside this large cabinet  54  so that it essentially becomes a form fitting toilet tank computer case. 
       FIG. 9  is a rear perspective view of a tall version of the modular cabinet  54  to illustrate the input/output panel  69  and electrical power inlet  60 . A top removable lid  68  is shown installed onto the cabinet  54 . The panel  69  illustrates the use of a computer style interface that has all of the typical connectors. 
       FIG. 10  is illustrates the modular nature of the present invention where two modular electronic cabinets  54  are modularly stacked, that would allow devices such as a computer monitor and stereo system to both be utilized on the same toilet. 
       FIG. 11  is a front perspective view of a compact version of the modular cabinet  54  with a DVD player installed and its screen  66  displayed in an extended position. These portable DVD players, that have retractable screens, are extremely popular and can be found as standard equipment in many new cars. As many of these DVD players are now quite inexpensive, they can be considered as a reasonable alternative to a regular stereo player and used with the modular cabinet  54  so that DVDs can be viewed in the bathroom.