Patent Publication Number: US-9414723-B2

Title: Portable toilet device for a small child

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     A known portable toilet device for a small child includes a seat sized to accommodate a small child, and a pair of pivoting legs that can be folded inwardly for compact storage. Problems arise with the ease of use of these toilet devices. 
     SUMMARY 
     In view of the foregoing, a toilet device includes a seat having a main opening, a first leg connected with the seat for pivotal movement about a first axis, a second leg connected with the seat for pivotal movement about a second axis, a first hinge mechanism connecting the first leg with the seat, and a second hinge mechanism connecting the second leg with the seat. The first hinge mechanism includes a button moveable along the first axis between a first position and a second position. With the button in the first position, movement of the first leg with respect to the seat is precluded. Movement of the button along the first axis toward the second position places the first hinge mechanism in an unlocked state, which allows for pivotal movement of the first leg with respect to the seat. The second hinge mechanism can be configured similarly to the first hinge mechanism. 
     Another example of a toilet device includes a seat having a main opening, a first leg, a second leg, a first hinge mechanism connecting the first leg with the seat and a second hinge mechanism connecting a second leg with the seat. Each leg connects with the seat for pivotal movement about a first axis and a second axis, respectively. The first hinge mechanism includes an axle moveable in a first axial direction parallel with the first axis and toward an unlocked position. The axle is biased in a second axial direction, which is opposite the first axial direction, toward a locked position. The first hinge mechanism is configured to preclude pivotal movement of the first leg with respect to the seat when the axle is in the locked position and to allow pivotal movement of the first leg with respect to the seat when the axle is in the unlocked position. 
     Another example of a toilet device includes a seat having a main opening, a first leg and a second leg each connected with the seat for pivotal movement about a first axis and a second axis, respectively, and a bag holder on each leg. Each bag holder includes a plurality of resilient fingers. Each finger is configured to flex from a normal state when a predetermined force is applied to the respective finger. Each finger is also configured to return toward the normal when the predetermined force is removed or a lower force than the predetermined force is being applied to the respective finger. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a toilet device with legs of the toilet device in a collapsed orientation. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the toilet device with the legs in an upright orientation. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the toilet device with the legs in an extended orientation. 
         FIG. 4  is a partially exploded perspective view of the toilet device. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an underside of the toilet device with the legs in the extended position. 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view taken through a hinge mechanism of the toilet device with the hinge mechanism in a locked state. 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view taken through the hinge mechanism of the toilet device with the hinge mechanism in an unlocked state. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , a toilet device  10  includes a seat  12 , a first leg  14  connected with the seat  12 , and a second leg  16  connected with the seat  12 . With reference to  FIG. 2 , the first leg  14  connects with the seat  12  for pivotal movement about a first axis  18 . The second leg  16  connects with the seat  12  for pivotal movement about a second axis  20 , which is parallel with the first axis  18 . Each leg  14 ,  16  is moveable between a collapsed (first) orientation, which is shown in  FIG. 1 , an upright (second) orientation, which is shown in  FIG. 2 , and an extended (third) orientation, which is shown in  FIG. 3 . In the collapsed orientation, the legs  14 ,  16  are folded toward each other and toward the seat  12 . In the upright orientation, the legs  14 ,  16  are generally upright, or vertical, and at a right angle to the seat  12 . In the extended orientation, the legs  14 ,  16  extend away from the seat and each other and are generally parallel with the seat  12 . 
     The seat  12  is generally annular having a seating surface  26  surrounding a main opening  28 . The seat  12  includes a hump  32  formed in a forward section  34 , which is opposite of rear section  36  of the seat  12 . The seat  12  is formed to be generally U-shaped cross-section taken through a diameter of the seat (see also  FIG. 5 ). The seat  12  forms a lower U-shaped channel  38  under the seating surface  26 . 
     The first leg  14  and the second leg  16  are mirror images of one another. Accordingly, only the first leg  14  will be described with particularity for the sake of brevity. With respect to  FIG. 2 , the first leg  14  includes an outer surface  50  and an inner surface  52  ( FIG. 5 ). The first leg  14  is U-shaped in side view, which is a view taken along the arrow  54  depicted in  FIG. 2 . The arrow  54  is perpendicular to the first axis  18 . The U-shape of the leg  14  provides for a forward end section  56  and a rear end section  58 . A central section  62  is disposed between the forward end section  56  and the rear end section  58 . 
     The first leg  14  is also U-shaped in a cross-section taken normal to the first axis  18 . With respect to  FIG. 5 , internal ribs  64  extend from the inner surface  52  and across an inner U-shaped channel  66  formed by the first leg  14 . The internal ribs  64  provide rigidity to the first leg  14 . The internal ribs  64  extend from the inner surface  52  and terminate at free edges  68 , which are co-planar with an internal edge  70 , which forms a support surface for the toilet device  10  when the legs are in the extended orientation (see  FIG. 3 ). The free edges  68  of the internal ribs  64  and the internal edge  70  are coated with a resilient non-slip material  72 . Ground engaging surfaces at the forward end section  56  and the rear end section  58  when the first leg  14  is in the upright position ( FIG. 2 ) can also be covered with the resilient non-slip material  72 . 
     A tab  74 , which can be made from the resilient non-slip material  72 , extends further away from the inner surface  52  of the leg  14  as compared to the free edges  68  of the internal ribs  64  and the internal edge  70 . In the illustrated embodiment, the tab  74  extends from a forward-most internal rib  64 . A respective tab  74  extends downwardly from each leg  14 ,  16  when the legs are in the extended orientation shown in  FIG. 3 . The tab  74  is to help keep the seat  12  centered on a standard toilet seat when the toilet device  10  is in the extended position shown in  FIGS. 3 and 5 . With the toilet device  10  resting on the standard toilet seat, a parent can push the toilet device  10  in a rearward direction until the tabs  74  engage the front of the standard toilet seat. At this location, the toilet device  10  should be fairly centered over the toilet bowl. 
     With reference to  FIG. 2 , the first leg  14  includes a bag holder opening  76  for receiving a respective bag holder  78 . The bag holder opening  76  is centrally located between the forward section  34  and the rear section  36  of the seat  12 . The bag holder opening  76  is also centrally located between the forward end section  56  and the rear end section  58  of the first leg  14 . When the first leg  14  is in the upright position shown in  FIG. 2 , the bag holder  78  is offset from the ground and a bag handle of a plastic bag (not shown) can be inserted into the bag holder  78  without having to lift the first leg  14  from the ground. 
     The bag holder  78  includes a plurality of resilient fingers  82 . Each finger  82  is configured to flex from a normal state (shown in  FIG. 2 ) when a predetermined force is applied to the respective finger. Each finger  82  is also configured to return toward the normal state when the predetermined force is removed or a lower force than the predetermined force is being applied to the respective finger. In the illustrated embodiment, the resilient fingers  82  are triangular or pie-shaped. The fingers  82  extend inwardly toward a smaller central opening  84  from an edge  86  surrounding the bag holder opening  76  formed in the first leg  14 . 
     As mentioned above, the bag holder  78  is configured to receive a respective handle of a plastic bag inserted in an insertion direction through the bag holder opening  76 . For example, with the legs  14 ,  16  in the upright orientation as shown in  FIG. 2 , a plastic bag (not shown) is inserted through the main opening  28  and handles of the plastic bag are brought out over the seat  12  and the seating surface  26  and inserted through each of the bag holder openings  76 . The handles can be inserted in the insertion direction, which in this example is from the outer surface  50  of the leg toward the inner surface  52 . The resilient fingers  82  are configured to retain the handles of the plastic bag by engaging the handles after the respective handle has been inserted into the respective bag holder  78 . Removal of the plastic bag from the toilet device  10  is made simple by pulling the handle out of the respective bag holder  78 . Each bag holder  78  is configured to release the respective handle of the plastic bag when the handle is pulled through the bag holder opening  76  in a releasing direction, which is opposite the insertion direction, at a force greater than the predetermined force, which is the force at which the resilient fingers  82  flex. This allows for easy removal of the plastic bag as compared to known portable toilet devices, which can require lifting of the legs from the ground. 
     The bag holder  78  can be made from the same material as the resilient non-slip material  72  that is attached to the first leg  14 . In the illustrated embodiment, the bag holder  78 , the resilient non-slip material  72 , and the tab  74  are all integrally formed and attached or molded together to the first leg  14 . 
     With respect to  FIG. 4 , a forward hub  90  and a rear hub  92  extend upwardly from the central section  62  of the first leg  14 . The forward hub  90  is spaced from the rear hub  92  along the first axis  18  to define a gap  96  in which an axle support  98  is received. The forward hub  90  is a mirror image of the rear hub  92 . 
     Each hub  90 ,  92  is cylindrical. Each hub  90 ,  92  includes an axial opening  102 . Each hub  90 ,  92  includes a planar inner face  104  that faces toward the axle support  98  when assembled. A circular hole  106  is formed through each planar inner face  104  to the axial opening  102  and is coaxial with the axial opening. Each circular hole  106  has a diameter only slightly larger than the diameter of an axle  108 , which will be described in more particularity below. Each circular hole  106  and each axial opening  102  receives the axle  108  when assembled. Catch openings  112  are open to and radiate outwardly from the circular hole  106 . The axial openings  102  are circular in a cross-section taken normal to the first axis  18 , i.e., there are not catch openings in the axial openings  102 . 
     The hubs  90 ,  92 , the axle support  98 , and the axle  108  can make up a first hinge mechanism connecting the first leg  14  with the seat  12 . A similar second hinge mechanism connects the second leg  16  with the seat  12 . The first hinge mechanism includes the same components and operates in the manner as the second hinge mechanism; therefore, only the first hinge mechanism will be described with particularity. 
     The first hinge mechanism includes a button  120  that is moveable along the first axis  18 . The button  120  is moveable between a first position, which is shown in  FIG. 6 , and a second position, which is shown in  FIG. 7 . With the button  120  in the first position, movement of the first leg  14  with respect to the seat  12  is precluded. Movement of the button  120  along the first axis  18  toward the second position (see  FIG. 7 ) places the first hinge mechanism in an unlocked state, which allows for pivotal movement of the first leg  14  with respect to the seat  12 . 
     The button  120  is generally cup-shaped having a hollow region  122  and a central boss  124 , which is aligned with the first axis  18 . A fastener opening  126  is provided in the boss  124 . The fastener opening  126  allows for the attachment of the axle  108  to the button  120  using a fastener  128 . The button  120  is biased along the first axis  18  toward the first position (shown in  FIG. 6 ) by a spring  132 . The spring  132  is received in the axial opening  102  of the rear hub  92  and the hollow region  122  of the button  120  surrounding the boss  124 . The spring  132  acts against an annular flange  134 , which surrounds the circular hole  106 , found in the rear hub  92 . 
     The axle  108  is also moveable in an axial direction parallel with the first axis  18 . The axle  108  is moveable in a first axial direction, as depicted by arrow  140  in  FIG. 6 , toward an unlocked position, which is shown in  FIG. 7 . The axle  108  (and the button  120 ) is biased in a second axial, as depicted by arrow  142 , toward a locked position, which is shown in  FIG. 6 . The first hinge mechanism is configured to preclude pivotal movement of the first leg  14  with respect to the seat  12  when the axle  108  is in the locked position (shown in  FIG. 6 ) and to allow pivotal movement of the first leg  14  with respect to the seat  12  when the axle  108  is in the unlocked position (shown in  FIG. 7 ). The axle  108  is operatively connected with the button  120  such that movement of the button  120  along the first axis  18  results in movement of the axle  108  along the first axis. 
     The axle  108  includes a central bore  144  that extends axially through the axle  108 . The fastener  128  is inserted through the central bore  144  to connect the axle  108  with the button  120 . The central boss  124  of the button  120  extends through an opening  146  and then into the central bore  144 . The axle  108  also includes an annular flange  148 , which in the illustrated embodiment is located at a distal end of the axle opposite to where the button  120  attaches with the axle. A protuberance on the axle  108  is provided to lock the first leg  14  with respect to the seat  12  in particular orientations, such as the orientations shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . With reference to  FIG. 4 , four protuberances  152 ,  154 ,  156 ,  158  are shown in the illustrated embodiment: a first forward protuberance  152  is angularly offset about 90 degrees from a second forward protuberance  154 , and a first rear protuberance  156  is angularly offset about 90 degrees from a second rear protuberance  158 . The forward protuberances  152 ,  154  are axially spaced from the rear protuberances  156 ,  158 . 
     The first hinge mechanism also includes an end cap  170  that is received in the axial opening  102  of the forward hub  90 . A cover  172  can also be provided to provide a decorative cover for the axle support  98 . As more clearly seen in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the end cap  170  can provide a limit on the travel of the axle  108  in the axial direction. 
     The axle support  98  includes a forward wall  180  having a forward planar surface  182  that faces the planar inner surface  104  of the forward hub  90 . The forward planar surface  182  is normal to the first axis  18 . The axle support  98  also includes a rear wall  184  having a rear planar surface  186  that faces the planar inner surface  104  of the rear hub  92 . The rear planar surface  186  is normal to the first axis  18 . The axle support  98  also includes an axle opening  190  having a diameter slightly larger than the axle  108  and in which the axle  108  is received. Catch openings  192  are formed in the forward wall  180 . Although not visible in  FIG. 4 , catch openings are also formed in the rear wall  184  and are similar in shape, size and location as those shown in the forward wall  180 . Four catch openings  192  are shown, each approximately 90 degrees from one another. The catch openings  192  cooperate with the protuberances  152 - 158  on the axle  108  to preclude rotation of the first leg  14  with respect to the seat  12 . 
     The protuberances  152 ,  154 ,  156 ,  158  are received in a respective catch opening  192  when the axle  108  is in the locked position, which precludes rotation of the first leg  14  with respect to seat  12 . The protuberances  152 ,  154 ,  156 ,  158  are not received in the catch openings  192  when the axle  108  is in the unlocked position ( FIG. 7 ) which allows for rotation of the first leg  14  with respect to the seat  12 . An axial gap  196  is provided in the axle support  98  to allow for this rotation. When the button  120  is pressed inwardly toward the second position ( FIG. 7 ) the axle  108  moves in the first axial direction (arrow  140 ) so that the forward protuberances  152 ,  154  move out of the catch openings  192  formed in the forward wall  180  and the rear protuberances  156 ,  158  move out of the catch openings formed in the rear wall  184 . This allows for the leg  14  to be rotated with respect to the seat  12 . The forward protuberances  152 ,  154  remain engaged in the catch openings  112  formed in the forward hub  90  and the forward protuberances  152 ,  154  contact and move relative to the forward planar face  182  on the forward wall  180  of the axle support  98  as the first leg  14  rotates with respect to the seat  12 . The biasing force of the spring  132  moves the button  120  toward the first position (in the direction of arrow  142 ) such that when the forward protuberances  152 ,  154  align again with respective catch openings  192 , the axle  108  moves in the second axial direction toward the locked position. Since the catch openings in the rear wall  184  are aligned with the catch openings  192  in the forward wall  180 , and the rear protuberances  156 ,  158  are aligned with the forward protuberances  152 ,  154 , the rear protuberances  156 ,  158  can move into the respective catch openings in the rear wall  184  when the axle  108  is biased in the second axial direction (arrow  142 ). 
     The button  120  can also be moveable between an unlocked position and a locked position. When in the locked position, movement of the button  120  along the first axis  18  is precluded. This will also preclude movement of the axle  108  along the first axis  18 . As such, the hinge mechanism remains in the locked state. When in the unlocked position, movement of the button  120  in a linear direction along the first axis  18  is allowed, which allows the axle  108  to also move along the first axis. In the illustrated embodiment, the button  120  rotates about the first axis  18  between the unlocked position and the locked position. As more clearly seen in  FIG. 5 , the button  120  includes a tab  200  that aligns with and is receivable in a slot  202  provided in the first hinge mechanism when the button is in the unlocked position. As illustrated, the slot  202  is formed in the rear hub  92  of each leg  14 ,  16 . The button  120  for with the second hinge mechanism for the second leg  16  is shown in the locked position in  FIG. 5 . In this position the tab  200  is not aligned with the slot  202 , which prevents the button  120  from being pressed inwardly along the second axis  20 . A torsion spring  210 , which is shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , can bias the button  120  to rotate towards the locked position such that an operator must overcome the biasing force to align the tab  200  with the slot  202  to allow the button to be pressed. Such a two-step operation, e.g., rotate and push for the button  120 , can make the toilet device more child proof. 
     A toilet device has been described above with particularity. Modifications and alterations will occur to those upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. The invention, however, is not limited to only the embodiments described above. Instead, the invention is broadly defined by the appended claims and the equivalents thereof.