Patent Publication Number: US-6212691-B1

Title: Portable urinal for tree stand or other elevated platform

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to urinals. More particularly, though not exclusively, the present invention relates to a portable urinal for use in a tree stand and other elevated platforms. 
     2. Problems in the Art 
     Tree stands are commonly used in hunting, photography and various other nature activities. For example, deer hunters often hunt from tree stands. Hunters and other persons may remain on the stand for considerable periods of time. It may become necessary for the person to urinate while on the tree stand. Although portable urinals are well known, such prior art urinals have deficiencies and are not well-suited for use in a tree stand or other elevated platforms. 
     While in a tree stand, it is important to remain undetected. Animals should not see, hear or smell the person in the tree stand. Unfortunately, prior art portable urinals do not serve to accomplish these goals. One means for dealing with the problem is to carry a bottle or container into the tree stand for urination. The container of urine is later carried away from the stand for proper disposal. Using a bottle having a separate lid requires that the tree stand-sitter perform lots of unnecessary movements. Other problems include dropping the bottle or cap of the bottle while in the tree stand, filling the container before the tree stand-sitter is ready to leave the stand, and simply forgetting to take the bottle from the tree stand when finished. Thus, there is a need in the art for an improved portable urinal that minimizes noise, as well as the amount of movement required during urination, and is easy to use. 
     Of course, a tree stand-sitter could simply urinate directly onto the ground or against the side of the tree. Such a method creates unwanted noise. In addition, it does nothing to control the odor of the urine. Animals are generally sensitive to the smell of human urine. For this reason, it is preferable that any urine is disposed of in a way that controls its odor. Thus, there is also a need in the art for a improved portable urinal that controls the problems associated with odor in the disposal of the urine. 
     FEATURES OF THE INVENTION 
     A general feature of the present invention is the provision of a portable urinal device and method for using the same that overcomes the problems found in the prior art. 
     A further feature of the present invention is the provision of a portable urinal device and method for using the same that minimizes the amount of movement associated with the urinary function. 
     A further feature of the present invention is the provision of an improved portable urinal device and method for using the same that reduces the noise associated with the urinary function. 
     A still further feature of the present invention is the provision of an improved portable urinal that is easy and convenient to use. 
     A further feature of the present invention is the provision of an improved portable urinal device and method for using the same that controls the odor of the urine. 
     These as well as other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following specification and claims. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The portable urinal device of the present invention includes a generally funnel-shaped container having a top end that is open and a lid hingeably mounted on the container for movement between a closed position and an open position. The lid of the portable urinal device is biased toward the closed position to facilitate use of the device with one hand. In its preferred form, the lid includes a lever with a locking mechanism that engages a handle on the container to hold the lid in the open position during urination. The portable urinal device may also include a flexible gasket disposed between the container and the lid to provide a tight seal for controlling odor, as well as to dampen any sound vibrations when the lid is closed. In its preferred form, the portable urinal device of the present invention also includes a discharge nipple at the bottom end of the container and a fluid hose connected thereto for directing urine to the ground below. The fluid hose may be buried underground to reduce noise and prevent odor problems. A mounting mechanism may also be included so that the portable urinal device can be easily stored away when not in use. 
     The present invention also includes a method of disposing of urine from a hunting stand. The method generally includes the steps of providing a portable urinal device and fluid hose as described above, connecting one end of the fluid hose to the bottom end of the container, burying the other end of the fluid hose underground, opening the lid of the container, engaging the locking mechanism to hold the lid in the open position, urinating into the container, disengaging the locking mechanism, and closing the lid on the container. The claimed method minimizes both the sound and odor problems associated with the urination function. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of a portable urinal device of the present invention for use by a hunter in a tree stand. 
     FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view of the portable urinal device of the present invention with the lid in a closed position. 
     FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the portable urinal device with the lid in an open position. 
     FIG. 4 is a top elevational view of the locking mechanism used with the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the locking mechanism shown in FIG.  4 . 
     FIG. 6 is an end elevational view of the locking mechanism shown in FIG.  4 . 
     FIG. 7 is a top view of a mounting mechanism used with the portable urinal device of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The present invention will be described as it applies to its preferred embodiment. It is not intended that the present invention as claimed be limited to the described embodiment. It is intended that the invention will cover all modifications and alternatives included within the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     Now referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a portable urinal device  10  of the present invention for use by a hunter  12  in a tree stand  14 . The portable urinal device  10 , shown in more detail in FIG. 2, includes a generally funnel-shaped container  16  having a top end  18  and a bottom end  20 . The container  16  includes a handle  22  disposed near the top end  18 . The container  16  is hollow with an opening at both its top end  18  and bottom end  20 . The top end  18  is slanted downwardly away from the handle  22  so that the container  16  can be easily and quickly oriented in the proper position for urination. 
     The portable urinal device  10  also includes a lid  24  that hinges about a pin  25 . The lid  24  pivots between a closed position and an open position, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 respectively. The lid  24  is biased toward the closed position by means of a torsion spring  26 . 
     The lid  24  includes a lever  28  having a locking mechanism  30  slidably mounted thereon. The locking mechanism  30  includes a base wall  32 , tongue portion  34  and opposing wings  36 . As illustrated in FIG. 3, when the lid  24  is in the open position, the locking mechanism  30  can be slid down so that the tongue portion  34  is inserted into an aperture  39  in the handle  22  of the container  16 . In this position, the tongue portion  34  of the locking mechanism  30  abuts the bottom surface of the handle  22  and locks the lid  24  in the open position. To return the lid  24  to the closed position, the locking mechanism  30  is slid forward so that the tongue portion  34  is removed from the aperture  39  in the handle  22 , and the lid is allowed to pivot to the closed position. 
     The details of the preferred locking mechanism are shown in FIGS. 4-6. As described previously, the locking mechanism  30  includes a base wall  32  having a tongue portion  34 . Extending generally orthogonal from the base wall  32  are two opposing wings  36 . Each of the wings  36  has a barb  38  for gripping the top surface of the lever  28  when inserted through the aperture  40  in the lever. The wings  36  are yieldably biased against opposing edges of the aperture  40  with the wings sized smaller than the aperture such that the locking mechanism  30  can slide along the lever  28 . In operation, the hunter  12  can use his thumb or other finger to contact the wings  36  and slide the locking mechanism  30  into the proper position. 
     It can be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the locking mechanism disclosed is but one of several possible locking mechanisms. However, the disclosed locking mechanism  30  is preferred because it allows the hunter  12  to both hold the portable urinal device  10  and open and close the lid  24  with one hand. 
     A flexible gasket  42 , such as one made of polyurethane or neoprene, is disposed at the top end  18  of the container  16  between the container and the lid  24 . The flexible gasket  42  provides a tight seal to contain odors in the container, and also muffle any sound made by the lid  24  closing on the container  16 . 
     As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the bottom end  20  of the container  16  includes a discharge nipple  44 . The discharge nipple  44  is adapted to receive the end of a fluid hose  46  to carry urine or other fluids out of the container  16 . The opposite end of the fluid hose is preferably buried underground to contain the odor of the urine (see FIG.  1 ). This feature of the invention not only prevents problems associated with urine odor, but the fluid hose  46  also helps to muffle sounds associated with the urinary function. Although the conventional wisdom is that deer can distinguish human urine from animal urine, some hunters believe that it is desirable for human urine to be disposed on top of the ground near the tree stand. Of course, the fluid hose  46  of the present invention can be easily adapted to simply allow the urine to fall on top of the ground. 
     A mounting mechanism  48 , as shown in FIG. 7, may also be used with the portable urinal device  10 . The mounting mechanism  48  includes a first end  50  that is threaded such that the mounting mechanism may be screwed into the trunk of a tree or similar object. The second end  52  of the mounting mechanism  48  includes a C-shaped member forming an opening therewithin for receiving and holding the container  16  of the portable urinal device  10 . 
     In operation, the portable urinal device  10  of the present invention is easy to use, does not require unnecessary movement, and effectively controls the odors associated with the disposal of urine. To use the portable urinal device  10 , the hunter  12  or other user first raises the lid  24  to the open position. Next, the user slides the locking mechanism  30  so that its tongue portion  34  is inserted partially into the aperture  39  on the handle  22  of the container  16 . With the lid  24  now locked in the open position, the user is free to urinate without worry that the lid  24  will close. Further, with the lid  24  hingeably mounted on the container  16 , there is no risk that the lid will fall or separate from the container. Once the user has finished urinating, the user then slides the locking mechanism  30  forward so its tongue portion  34  no longer is in contact with the handle  22 , and the lid  24  is then allowed to return to the closed position. 
     The container  16  and lid  24  of the portable urinal device  10  are preferably made from a rigid plastic. It is also preferred that the outside surface of both the lid  24  and the container  16  be texturized similar to tree bark for gripping purposes and also to blend into the environment. The portable urinal device  10  can also be camouflaged to help further blend the device with the environment. 
     From the foregoing description of the preferred embodiment, it can be seen that the present invention accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives and includes all of the aforementioned features.