Patent Abstract:
A combination dumpster and portable toilet system is disclosed and described. The housing provides an enclosure for collection of refuse. The housing also provides for secure stowage of portable toilets to and from a worksite, as well as protection of the portable toilets from falling debris, theft and vandalism.

Full Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Applic. No. 60/743,548, filed Mar. 17, 2006, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates generally to a waste collection system. More particularly, the invention relates to a combination dumpster and portable toilet. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     When performing various construction projects, it is necessary to remove rubbish that is generated during the construction project. One typical way of collecting and removing rubbish is using an elongated dumpster having an open top. 
     The dumpster is delivered to the area where the construction project is being done on a truck. The dumpster is then rolled off the truck and placed on the ground. Once the dumpster is filled with rubbish, the dumpster is rolled onto the truck and taken away for disposal. 
     When performing construction projects, it is typically not possible to use the plumbing facilities. As it is often necessary for workers to use a toilet while working, portable toilets are often delivered to the work site. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Various embodiments of the invention provide a housing for stowage of portable toilets that is integral to a dumpster unit. The arrangement provides for ready transportation of the portable toilets, protects the toilets from falling debris at a worksite, and provides a means for securing the toilets from theft or vandalism when the worksite is unattended. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a dumpster and portable toilet system according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is another perspective view of the dumpster and portable toilet system. 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom perspective view of the dumpster and portable toilet system. 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of the dumpster and portable toilet system. 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of the dumpster and portable toilet system. 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view of the dumpster and portable toilet system. 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of construction site maintenance system according to an embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     An embodiment of the invention is directed to a dumpster and portable toilet system, as illustrated at  10  in the figures. The dumpster and portable toilet system  10  generally includes a dumpster portion  20  and a toilet housing portion  30 . 
     In some configurations, the dumpster portion  20  has a capacity of about 10 yards, 20 yards or 30 yards. The dumpster portion  20  includes side panels  40 , a bottom panel  50 , a free end panel  60 , and a common end panel  70 , framed on the upper edges  80 , on the bottom by a chassis  90 , and on the four corners  100 ,  110 ,  120  and  130 . The common end panel  70  is so named because it forms a common wall between the dumpster portion  20  and the toilet housing portion  30 . 
     The free end panel  60  may be supported by a separate frame work  62  and mounted on hinges  64  to allow the panel to swing away from the end of the dumpster portion  20  to facilitate loading and unloading. 
     The toilet housing portion  30  is bounded by a top panel  140 , a bottom panel  150 , the aforementioned common end panel  70  and a side panel  160 , with ends  180  and  190  remaining open for toilet access. The panels of the toilet housing portion  30  are held together with an upper framework  200 , a lower framework  210 , corner posts  212  and  214 , and the corners  120  and  130  that support the common end panel  70 . The common end panel  70  is also supported and reinforced by a cross member  220  that extends between corners  120  and  130 , and a center post  230 . Alternatively, the toilet housing portion  30  may be fabricated without the panels covering the framework. 
     A support structure  240  depends from cross member  220  and the center post  230  to give the toilet housing  30  rigidity. The support structure  240  spans the interior of the toilet housing and is connected to a cross member  250 . The support structure also serves to divide the toilet housing portion  30  effectively into two compartments. 
     In another embodiment (not shown), the ends  180  and  190  could be enclosed, with side  160  being left open for toilet access. Such an arrangement would require substitution of the cross member  250  with a vertical post (not shown) that extends from the chassis  90  to an upper member of the framework  200 . 
     The chassis  90  is common to both the dumpster portion  20  and the toilet housing portion  30 . The dumpster and portable toilet system  10  may be equipped with rollers or casters  260  to aid in the positioning and movement of the dumpster and portable toilet system  10 . 
     Portable toilets contained within the toilet housing portion  30  can be secured by locking a chain around the toilet housing portion  30 , thereby preventing their removal from the toilet housing. Alternatively, the toilet housing portion  30  can be equipped with lock bars (not shown) that span the ends  180  and  190  and are detachably locked to the toilet housing portion  30 . 
     As an alternative to forming the portable toilet separate from the other components of the dumpster and portable toilet system  10 , it is possible that the portable toilet may be integrally fabricated as part of the dumpster and portable toilet system  10 . 
     The invention is also directed to a construction site maintenance system  300  that includes a transportation vehicle  302  on which the dumpster and portable toilet system  10  may be removably placed, as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . The toilet housing portion  30  is adapted to receive a portable toilet  310 . In one configuration, the transportation vehicle  302  may be a conventional truck. Alternatively, the transportation vehicle  302  may be a trailer. 
     The dumpster and portable toilet system  10  may be placed onto and removed from the transportation vehicle  302  using a sliding motion with a hoist mechanism  304 . There are a variety of hoist mechanisms  304  for placing the dumpster and portable toilet system  10  onto the transportation vehicle  302  such as a cable and a hook. 
     The transportation vehicle  302  may also include equipment to service the portable toilet such as a fresh liquid tank  306 , a waste collection tank  308 , a fresh liquid pump system to deliver fresh liquid to the portable toilet and a waste pump system to remove waste from the portable toilet. 
     Alternatively, fresh liquid may be placed in the portable toilet before delivery of the dumpster and portable toilet system to the use location and waste can be removed from the portable toilet after the dumpster and portable toilet system is retrieved from the use location. In this configuration, a lid or sealing device may be provided in the portable toilet to prevent fresh liquid and waste from spilling from the portable toilet as the dumpster and portable toilet system is being placed onto and removed from the transportation vehicle  302  as well as while the transportation vehicle is moving to the use location. 
     In operation, the dumpster and portable toilet system  10  is placed on the transportation vehicle  302  and delivered to the use location. While it is possible to place the portable toilet in the dumpster and portable toilet system  10  after delivery to the use location, the portable toilet is preferably placed in the dumpster and portable toilet system  10  prior to delivery to the use location. 
     Once at the use location, the dumpster and portable toilet system  10  is moved off of the transportation vehicle  302  using the hoist mechanism  304 . The fresh liquid pump system is used to place fresh liquid in the portable toilet. 
     The dumpster and portable toilet system  10  is then used by placing refuse in the dumpster portion  20  and using the portable toilet for collection of bodily excrements such as urination and defecation. When done using the dumpster and portable toilet system  10 , the transportation vehicle  302  returns to the use location. 
     Prior to placing on the dumpster and portable toilet system  10  on the transportation vehicle  302  with the hoist mechanism  304 , the waste pump may be used to remove waste from the portable toilet. Alternatively, if the portable toilet needs service prior to filling of the dumpster portion  20  with refuse, the waster pump may be used for remove waste from the portable toilet and then the fresh liquid pump may be used to place fresh liquid into the portable toilet. 
     While the particular embodiments presented and described in detail above are exemplary of the invention, it is to be understood that they are merely illustrative. Various other modifications and changes with which the invention can be practiced and which are within the scope of the description provided herein will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. 
     It is contemplated that features disclosed in this application, as well as those described in the above applications incorporated by reference, can be mixed and matched to suit particular circumstances. Various other modifications and changes will be apparent to those of ordinary skill.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4