Patent Publication Number: US-6668392-B2

Title: Enclosure for portable toilet

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to covers or enclosures for portable toilets, and, in particular, to an enclosure which is easy to assemble and which can allow for the use of advertising graphics on the outside surface of the enclosure. 
     Portable toilets are commonly used at fairs, festivals etc., when there is a need to create a temporary bathroom facilities. The portable toilets are generally rectangular in shape, and, as a whole, are not very aesthetically pleasing. 
     To correct for this, others have developed portable toilets which are cylindrical in shape, and have a surface on which graphics can be printed. However, such portable toilets are expensive to produce, must comply with applicable regulations, and do not take into consideration the fact that there is a large number of previously manufactured portable toilets which it would be desirable to enclose. 
     It would thus be desirable to provide a decorative enclosure for the portable toilet which would make the fair grounds more attractive, or which could be used for advertising purposes. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Briefly stated, an enclosure is provided for a portable toilet. The portable toilet includes a door through which users can enter and exit the toilet and a base to which the portable toilet is mounted. The enclosure comprises at least two sections, one of which has a door opening and a door hingedly mounted thereon. The enclosure door has a surface shape corresponding to surface of the enclosure, such that the enclosure door will not interfere with the appearance of the enclosure. The enclosure door is moveable between a closed position and an opened position and is provided with a handle to open the door. Preferably, the door is spring biased to a closed position, for example, with a spring hinge. Additionally, a tether can be mounted to an inner surface of the enclosure door and which is can be removably attached to a door of the portable toilet. The tether is sized such that when the portable toilet door is closed, the tether will pull the enclosure door closed. 
     Each enclosure section includes a first end and a second end. A connector tab having a hole extends from the first end and a wall hole is formed near the second end of each enclosure section. When assembled, the first end of one section abuts the second end of the adjacent section. To ensure a substantially smooth seam or junction between the two sections, in the illustrative embodiment disclosed, the connector tab extends from the inner surface of one section, across the junction between the two sections, to lie against the inner surface of the adjacent section. The tabs are aligned with the holes, and are sized such that the tab holes align with the wall holes in the adjacent section. A fastener is passed through the wall hole and the tab hole to secure the two sections together. Mounting tabs are also provided at the bottom of the enclosure sections to secure the enclosure to the base of the portable toilet. This will positionally fix the enclosure relative to the toilet to maintain alignment of the enclosure door with the door of the portable toilet. 
     The enclosure can be provided with a top portion which is removably mountable to the enclosure to form an enclosure assembly. The top portion is sized and shaped, such that, when mounted to the enclosure, the enclosure assembly has the appearance of a bottle. The top portion, like the enclosure, comprises a first section and a second section. Each section of the top portion includes a first end and a second end, a connector tab extending from the first end and a fastener near the second end. The connector tab receives the fastener to secure adjacent sections of the top portion together. Like the enclosure, the top portion sections are matable together such that the first end of the first section is in abutment with the second end of the second section such that the outer surfaces of adjacent sections are substantially flush with each other. 
     To provide light for the portable toilet, the top portion is adapted to allow light to pass through it. The top portion can, for example, be made from a mesh through which light will pass. Alternatively, the top portion can include a plurality of perforations positioned on the top portion so that they are not visible to a person standing on the ground. 
     To provide a clean and smooth connection from the enclosure to the top portion, the bottom edge of the top portion is shaped correspondingly to the top edge of the enclosure. Preferably, the enclosure has a lip at its top edge, to give the enclosure the appearance of a beverage can when the top portion is not mounted on the enclosure. The top portion thus includes a complementary lip at its bottom edge which sits on the lip of the enclosure top edge. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable toilet; 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a portable toilet enclosure which can be assembled around the portable toilet of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the portable toilet enclosure when assembled; 
     FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view showing the attachment of two sections of the enclosure; 
     FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view showing the hinged door of the enclosure; 
     FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the enclosure surrounding a portable toilet, and with the doors of the portable toilet and enclosure shown opened; 
     FIG. 7 is an exploded view showing a top enclosure which can be secured to the cylindrical enclosure of FIG. 3 to provide a bottle shaped enclosure; and 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the enclosure with the top assembled onto the cylindrical portion. 
     Corresponding reference numerals will be used throughout the several figures of the drawings. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following detailed description illustrates the invention by way of example and not by way of limitation. This description will clearly enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and describes what I presently believe is the best mode of carrying out the invention. Additionally, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     A typical portable toilet T is shown in FIG.  1 . The toilet includes a door D and is mounted on a base B (which is typically made of wood or plastic, but can be made of other materials as well). As is known, toilets T can be quickly installed at desired locations to provide bathroom facilities to, for example, fairgoers. 
     To enhance the appearance of the portable toilet T, an enclosure or cover  10  can be erected around the toilet T. The enclosure  10  includes two sections  12  and  14  which are connected together. The enclosure sections  12  and  14  are preferably made from a material upon which graphics can be printed. For example, the enclosure sections can be made from fiberglass, plastic, or other material which are easily molded. The ability to print graphics on the enclosure sections allows for the enclosure to be decorated. For example, the graphics can make the enclosure appear to be a large beverage can, with all applicable logos on the can. Or, the graphics can simply provide for a pleasing appearance to the enclosure, and hence, to the portable toilet. 
     The section  12  is solid—that is, its surface is substantially uninterrupted, and it has no windows, doors, or other large openings. The section  14 , on the other hand, includes an opening  16  for a door  18 ., As seen in FIG. 5, the door  18  is secured to the section  14  by hinges  20 . The two sections are shown to be semi-circular, and, when connected, define a cylinder. The door  18  is also curved, and has a curvature which corresponds to the curvature of the section  14 . When closed, the door  18  is flush with the section  14  to provide a smooth appearance to the enclosure  10 . The edge of the door opening  16  can be rabetted to provide a lip against which the door  18  rests when closed, and to define a stop for the door  18 . To open the door  18 , the door is provided with a handle  19 . The door  18  is spring loaded, so that it will close by itself. The spring loading of the door can be accomplished using a spring which extends between the door and the enclosure section  14 , or a spring loaded hinge can be used. Additionally, the enclosure can be provided with a magnet along the rabetted edge of the enclosure section  14 , and a corresponding magnet can be located on the enclosure door  18 . The magnets on the rabetted edge and the door will serve to positively hold the door closed against small forces, such as wind. Thus, the door  18  will not be opened, unless opened by a user. This will maintain the appearance of printing on the outer surface of the enclosure. Preferably, the magnets will be embedded in their respective surfaces, such that when the door  18  is closed, the outer surface of the door will be substantially flush with the outer surface of the enclosure section  14 . Additionally, the enclosure door  18  is provided with a rod, cord, or tether  19  (FIG. 6) to connect the enclosure door  18  to the portable toilet door D. The tether  19  is positioned at the top of the doors, so as not to interfere with someone passing between the doors. Additionally, the tether  19  has a length such that when someone uses the portable toilet T and closes the door D, the closing of the door D will pull the enclosure door  18  shut. Further, when the toilet door D is locked, someone else will not be able to open the enclosure door  18 . 
     Each section  12  and  14  includes opposed ends  12   a ,b and  14   a ,b. Wall holes  22  are formed in the sections near the ends  12   a  and  14   a . Connector tabs  24  having holes  26  extend from the section ends  12   b  and  14   b . Preferably the enclosure sections are provided with upper and lower wall holes  22  and connector tabs  24 . As best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the connector tabs  24  extend from the inner surface of the sections  12  and  14  so as not to interfere with the end edges of the sections. The connector tabs  24  are positioned on the section ends  12   b  and  14   b  to be aligned with the wall holes  22  on the opposing ends  14   a  and  12   a . The connector tabs  24  are sized,. and the tab holes  26  are positioned, such that the tab holes  26  align with the wall holes  22  in the section ends  12   a  and  14   a  when the two sections are brought together. As seen in FIG. 4, a threaded fastener  28  (such as a bolt or screw) and nut  30  (a wing nut is shown) are used to secure the sections together. A washer  32  can also be provided. In lieu of the nut  30 , the tab hole  26  can be threaded. Alternatively, a nut structure having the threaded opening can be formed on the tab  24 , or fixed to the tab. 
     To assemble the enclosure  10 , the sections are brought together such that their opposing ends abut each other. Section end  12   a  abuts section end  14   b , and section end  12   b  abuts section end  14   a . The connector tab  24  will then extend from the inner surface of one section to the inner surface of the other section, as seen in FIG. 3, and the tab opening  26  will be aligned with the opening  22 . The fastener  28  is then passed through the hole  22  and the tab hole  26 . The washer  32  can be applied to the fastener first, so that the washer  32  is on the outer surface of the enclosure  10 . The nut  30  is then threaded onto the fastener from the inside of the enclosure  10 . A wing nut is shown in the drawings because of the ease of use of wing nuts. However, any type of nut can be used. As can be appreciated, if the nut  30  is fixed to or formed on the tab, or the tab hole  26  is threaded, then assembly of the enclosure  12  can be accomplished totally from the outside of the enclosure. As seen, four connector tabs are provided (two on each section). Thus, the enclosure sections  12  and  14  can be assembled together very quickly and with very little effort. As seen in FIG. 6, when the enclosure  10  is assembled, it will surround the portable toilet building T. 
     As noted, the tabs  24  extend from the inner surface of the sections  12  and  14 , the section edges, which are shaped complimentary to each other. Thus, the opposed section edges can abut each other along the length of the section edges. This allows for the section edges to be in close abutment and provides for an appearance of a continuous cylindrical surface, when viewed from a distance. 
     The enclosure sections  12  and  14  also include mounting tabs  34  (FIG. 2) which extend inwardly from the bottom of the sections  12  and  14  to be near the base B of the portable toilet T. The mounting tabs also include holes through which fasteners extend to secure the sections to the wooden base B on which the toilet T is mounted. The tabs are used to secure the enclosure  10  to the base around the toilet and to prevent movement of the enclosure  10  relative to the portable toilet T. When the enclosure  10  is used, the door of the portable toilet is left in place. As can be appreciated, the enclosure  10  is mounted about the portable toilet T such that the enclosure door  18  is substantially aligned with the portable toilet door D. The use of the mounting tabs  34 , this will maintain alignment of the enclosure door  18  with the toilet door D. To allow for easy access to the mounting tabs  38 , the tabs  38  are preferably positioned near the door opening  16 . 
     In a preferred embodiment of the enclosure, the sections  12  and  14  are semicircular, such that when assembled, they form a cylinder. As shown in FIG. 6, the enclosure  10  has a diameter that is not much greater than the greatest dimension of the toilet T (i.e., the diagonal dimension of the toilet T). Hence, the enclosure will fit fairly snuggly around the portable toilet T. A typical portable toilet is 42″×42″. Thus, the inner diameter of the enclosure  10 , when assembled is about 63″ (which is about 4″ greater than the diagonal measurement of the toilet T). Thus, there is a small gap between the corners of the portable toilet T and the inner surface of the enclosure. This size of the enclosure  10  will not interfere with vents of the portable toilet T. Additionally, so as not to interfere with the roof of the portable toilet T, which is often relied upon to provide light for the interior of the toilet T, the enclosure  10  is not closed at its top, and natural light can pass through the top of the portable toilet to provide light for a user of the toilet. 
     A lip  40  is formed at the top of the enclosure sections. The lip  40  is formed to give the enclosure the appearance of, for example, a soft drink or beer can. A beverage manufacturer can then have graphics applied to the smooth outer surface of the enclosure so that the enclosure resembles a can of the soft drink or beer. 
     The enclosure sections preferably subtend the same degree of arc. Thus, the two sections preferably both extend for about 180°. Because the sections  12  and  14  are of the same size, they can be nested together for transportation to and from, for example, a fair ground, where they are to be assembled around portable toilets, and disassembled when the portable toilets are to be removed from the fair grounds. The enclosure can be made from any desired material. However, the enclosures are preferably made from a fiberglass, plastic, rigid foam, or other material which is easily molded and to which graphics can be easily applied. 
     A top enclosure  60  (FIGS. 7 and 8) can be provided and secured to the enclosure  10  to give the enclosure assembly the appearance of a beverage bottle. The cover  60 , like the enclosure  10 , comprises two portions  62  and  64 , each of which have end edges  62   a ,b and  64   a ,b. The edges  62   b  and  64   b  are provided with connector tabs  66  having holes  68 . The connector tabs  66  are substantially similar to the connector tabs  24 , and will not be further described. The opposite edges  62   a  and  64   a  are provided with openings  70 . As with the connector tabs  24 , the connector tabs  66  preferably extend from the inner surface of the cover sections  62  and  64  such that the end edges  62   b  and  64   b  are uninterrupted. This will enable a close abutment of the edge  62   a  with the edge  64   b , and the edge  62   b  with the edge  64   a , so that any gap between the edges of the two top enclosure sections will be minimized. The tabs  66  are sized and positioned, and the openings  70  are positioned, such that when the cover sections  62  and  64  are brought together, the tab holes  68  will be aligned with the openings  70 . A threaded fastener (not shown) is passed through the two aligned openings, and a nut is threaded onto the fastener to hold the two sections together to form the cover. Each section is shown with a single connector tab  66 , however, the sections  62  and  64  could be provided with additional connector tabs, if desired. In lieu of the nut, the tab hole  68  can be threaded. Alternatively, a nut structure having the threaded opening can be formed on the tab  66 , or fixed to the tab. 
     To secure the cover  60  to the enclosure  10 , the cover sections  62  and  64  are provided with openings  72  near the bottom of the sections. Additionally, the enclosure sections  12  and  14  are provided with openings  74  in the shoulder  40 . The cover openings  72  and the enclosure openings  74  are positioned to be aligned with each other when the cover sections are placed on the enclosure. A fastener  76  is passed through the aligned openings  72  and  74 , and a nut  78  is threaded onto the fastener at the inner surface of the cover and enclosure sections. The sections  12 ,  14 ,  62 , and  64  are shown with three openings  74  and  72  (each near one of the edges of the sections, and one approximately midway between the edges), however, fewer or more openings could be provided, as desired. Instead of using a nut, the enclosure openings  74  could be internally threaded. Additionally, the base of the top enclosure sections  62  and  64  are shaped to correspond to the shoulder  40  of the enclosure sections  12  and  14 . Thus, the cover  60  will sit on the enclosure shoulder  40 , and the enclosure shoulder will support the cover. Additionally, the outer surface of the top enclosure  60  will be substantially flush with the outer surface of the enclosure  10 , and, any gap between the top enclosure  60  and the bottom enclosure  10  will be minimized. 
     The cover  60  can be assembled and then secured to the already assembled enclosure. Alternatively, the cover section  62  can be assembled to the enclosure section  12 , and the cover section  64  can be assembled to the enclosure section  14 , and then the two assemblies can be assembled together to form the complete bottle-shaped enclosure. As noted above, the portable toilet T relies on light coming in through the roof of the toilet to provide lighting for the toilet. The cover  64  is opened at least at its top, as at  76  to allow light in through the top of the cover  64 . Additionally, the upper curved portion  78  can be provided with perforations, through which light can pass. This part of the cover is not visible to people on the ground, and thus, such perforations would not interfere with the overall appearance with any graphics applied to the cover  60 . Alternatively, the top enclosure  60  can be made from a mesh upon which graphics can be printed. The mesh will preferably be sized such that light can pass through the mesh, yet, the graphics printed on the mesh will appear to be complete (i.e. openings in the graphics from the mesh will not be visible). 
     As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Other types of fasteners, other than bolts or screws could be used to assemble the two sections together. For example, a keyhole slot could be formed on the tab, and the adjacent section could include a pin which is received in the slot. In this case, the pin would form this fastener, and would avoid the need for a screw fastener. A slot could be formed in the edges  12   a and  14   a , and the connecting tabs  22  could extend directly from the edge to be received in the edge slot of the adjacent section. Such a construction would still allow for a close and smooth junction between the two sections. Although two sections are shown, the enclosure could be made from more than two sections. These examples are merely illustrative.