Abstract:
A portable high-rise toilet seat apparatus includes an inflatable bladder having a configuration of a toilet seat. The bladder includes at least one inlet port configured to receive air or water whereby to inflate the bladder. To facilitate drying an interior area of the bladder, the bladder may include at least two inlet ports. The bladder further includes opposed lines of weakness configured to enable the bladder to be folded one or more times. The bladder is configured to move between a deflated configuration for storage or transport and an inflated configuration suitable to rest atop a standard toilet seat so as to form a high-rise toilet seat for use by a disabled or aging person. The bladder may include features—such as anti-slip elements, fastening mechanisms, and/or mating surfaces—to reduce the risk of the bladder slipping off the standard toilet seat.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This non-provisional patent application claims the benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 61/711,262 filed on Oct. 9, 2012, titled Portable Toilet Seat. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates generally to toilet seating devices and, more particularly, to a portable toilet seat that is selectively inflatable for use with an existing standard toilet seat. More particularly, the portable toilet seat includes an inflatable and foldable design that may be stored, transported, and then inflated to a full size high-rise toilet seat. 
         [0003]    Toilet seats having an increased thickness are desirable for persons that are disabled, recovering from an injury, aging, or that are simply less able to rise or sit on a traditional toilet seat. These so-called “high-rise” seats extend higher above the toilet so that a person does not need to bend the knees as much while sitting or to exert as much effort to stand. High-rise toilet seats are common in nursing and rehabilitation facilities, hospitals, and in homes of individuals who consistently need such assistance. 
         [0004]    Although existing high-rise toilet seats are assumably effective for their intended purposes, they are ineffective for individuals who need them in locations not having one. For instance, a disabled person may travel to a public place not having a high-rise toilet seat or to the home of family or friends that, again, do not have a needed high-rise toilet seat. Obviously, it is not practical for a disabled person to carry her own high-rise toilet seat wherever she travels. 
         [0005]    Therefore, it would be desirable to have a high-rise toilet seat that is portable so that it may be easily and discretely transported by a disabled person and be available whenever needed. Further, it would be desirable to have a high-rise toilet seat that may be inflated, with air and/or water, to its full size when needed and deflated when its use is no longer required. Further yet, it would be desirable to easily dry the high-rise toilet seat after use. In addition, it would be desirable to have a high-rise toilet seat that may be folded into a compact size when deflated so as to be transported in a person&#39;s purse, pocket, or the like. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    A portable high-rise toilet seat apparatus according to the present invention includes an inflatable bladder having a configuration of a toilet seat. The bladder includes at least one inlet port configured to receive air or water whereby to inflate the bladder. To facilitate drying an interior area of the bladder, the bladder may include at least two inlet ports. The bladder further includes opposed lines of weakness configured to enable the bladder to be folded one or more times. The bladder is configured to move between a deflated configuration for storage or transport and an inflated configuration suitable to rest atop a standard toilet seat so as to form a high-rise toilet seat for use by a disabled or aging person. The bladder may include features—such as anti-slip elements, fastening mechanisms, and/or mating surfaces—to reduce the risk of the bladder slipping off the standard toilet seat. 
         [0007]    Therefore, a general object of this invention is to provide a portable high-rise toilet seat that may be easily and discretely transported by a disabled person and utilized with any toilet as needed. 
         [0008]    Another object of this invention is to provide a portable high-rise toilet seat, as aforesaid, that may be inflated to an enlarged thickness to assist a disabled person in sitting on and rising from a toilet. 
         [0009]    Still another object of this invention is to provide a portable high-rise toilet seat, as aforesaid, that includes a plurality of fold lines about which the seat may be folded when in a deflated configuration. 
         [0010]    Yet another object of this invention is to provide a portable high-rise toilet seat, as aforesaid, that is easy to transport, inflate, use, dry, deflate, and store. 
         [0011]    Still another object of this invention is to provide a portable high-rise toilet seat, as aforesaid, that may be inflated with air or water. 
         [0012]    Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example, embodiments of this invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a portable high-rise toilet seat according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrated in a fully inflated configuration; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the portable high-rise toilet seat, as in  FIG. 1  illustrated in a deflated configuration; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3   a  is a top view of the portable high-rise toilet seat, as in  FIG. 1 , further comprising second, third, and fourth inlet ports and respective second, third, and fourth caps; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3   b  is a sectional view taken along line  3   b - 3   b  of  FIG. 3   a;    
           [0017]      FIG. 4   a  is a top view of the portable high-rise toilet seat, as in  FIG. 3   a , rotated 90 degrees counter-clockwise; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4   b  is a sectional view taken along line  4   b - 4   b  of  FIG. 4   a;    
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is an elevation view of the portable high-rise toilet seat, as in  FIG. 3   a;    
           [0020]      FIG. 6   a  is a sectional view taken along line  6   a - 6   a  of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 6   b  is a sectional view taken along line  6   b - 6   b  of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 7   a  is an isolated view of a first inlet port on an enlarged scale, taken from  FIG. 6   a , showing a first cap installed onto the first inlet port and a valve member in a closed configuration; 
           [0023]      FIG. 7   b  is an isolated view of a first inlet port on an enlarged scale, taken from  FIG. 6   b , with a first cap omitted and showing a valve member in an open configuration; 
           [0024]      FIG. 8   a  is a perspective view of the high-rise toilet seat, as in  FIG. 3   a , further comprising anti-slip elements; 
           [0025]      FIG. 8   b  is a perspective view of the high-rise toilet seat, as in  FIG. 8   a , shown from a different angle; 
           [0026]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a portable high-rise toilet seat according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrated in a fully inflated configuration; 
           [0027]      FIG. 10   a  is an elevation view of the high-rise toilet seat, as in  FIG. 3   a , with first, second, third, and fourth caps omitted; 
           [0028]      FIG. 10   b  is a sectional view taken along line  10   b - 10   b  of  FIG. 10   a;    
           [0029]      FIG. 11   a  is a perspective view of the high-rise toilet seat, as in  FIG. 1 , installed atop a standard toilet seat and further comprising fastening members; 
           [0030]      FIG. 11   b  is a top view of the high-rise toilet seat, as in  FIG. 11   a;    
           [0031]      FIG. 12  is a sectional view taken along line  12 - 12  of  FIG. 11   b  and showing two embodiments of the fastening members. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0032]    A portable high-rise toilet seat according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 12  of the accompanying drawings. 
         [0033]    The portable high-rise toilet seat  10  includes a bladder  30  having a generally circular shape and defining a central opening  12  in the manner of a doughnut ( FIG. 1 ). The bladder  30 , however, is not perfectly circular but rather has the general configuration of a traditional toilet seat  20  and is specifically intended to be placed atop a traditional toilet seat  20  so as to increase the functional height of the seat. 
         [0034]    The bladder  30  includes a tubular construction defining an interior area  32  that is airtight and capable of being inflated by air and/or by an incompressible fluid, such as water. It is understood that the use of an incompressible fluid may present advantages over the use of compressible air, not the least of which is the fact that filling the bladder with water may be more convenient than filling the bladder with air. This is especially true when the bladder is to be used in an area where water is readily available, such as in a bathroom. It is also understood that the use of an incompressible fluid, such as water, may present disadvantages over the use of air. This is especially true when the user must carry the bladder  30  from a sink to a toilet or when the user must empty the bladder  30  after each use. A bladder filled with water may be too heavy for a user to carry. And failure to properly dry the bladder  30  after it has been at least partially filled with water may cause mold to grow inside the bladder  30 . Consequently, several potential embodiments of the present invention are disclosed. Each embodiment may present advantages over other embodiments depending on the intended use of the portable high-rise toilet seat  10 . 
         [0035]    In one embodiment, a first inlet port  110  defining an interior passage  112  is coupled to the bladder  30 . The interior passage  112  of the first inlet port  110  selectively allows air to flow in and out of the interior area  32  of the bladder  30 . Air may be introduced into the first inlet port  110  by a user blowing air into it. The bladder  30 , therefore, is movable between a deflated configuration in which air is removed from the bladder interior area ( FIG. 2 ) and an inflated configuration in which the bladder is inflated with air ( FIG. 1 ). As shown in  FIG. 1 , the bladder takes on a vertical height or thickness when inflated. More particularly, the bladder  30  takes on the configuration of a high-rise toilet seat when inflated. 
         [0036]    A first cap  114  may be selectively coupled to the first inlet port  110  so as to prevent air from flowing in and out of the interior area  32  of the bladder  30  through the interior passage  112  of the first inlet port  110  when the first cap  114  is selectively coupled to the first inlet port  110  in a closed configuration. A valve member  116 , such as a one-way valve, biased so as to prevent fluid from flowing out of the interior area  32  of the bladder  30  through the interior passage  112  of the second inlet port  120  may be coupled to the first inlet port  110 . The first inlet port  110  may be configured to receive air from an inflation device. Such inflation devices are well known in the art and, therefore, will not be described here. 
         [0037]    Turning again to  FIG. 2 , one surface of the bladder  30  may include a plurality of spaced apart lines of weakness  40 —sometimes referred to as lines of perforation or fold lines. The lines of weakness  40  may include opposed first  42  and second  44  lines of weakness. The first  42  and second  44  lines of weakness may be configured so as to enable the bladder  30 , when deflated, to be folded over the first  42  and second  44  lines of weakness. The lines of weakness  40  may further include opposed third  46  and fourth  48  lines of weakness. The third  46  and fourth  48  lines of weakness may be configured so as to enable the bladder  30 , when deflated and folded over the first  42  and second  44  lines of weakness, to be folded over the third  46  and fourth  48  lines of weakness. In this way, the bladder  30  may be folded at least twice to make the bladder  30  significantly smaller and capable of being stored and transported in a user&#39;s purse, bag, or even pocket. 
         [0038]    To increase portability, the bladder  30  is preferably made of relatively light-weight and malleable material, such as plastic or rubber. When filled with air and set atop a traditional toilet seat  20 , however, additional mass may be necessary to prevent the portable high-rise toilet seat  10  from sliding off of the traditional toilet seat  20 . Consequently, the bladder may be at least partially filled with water. The bladder  30  may also include features to decrease the likelihood of such an occurrence. 
         [0039]    In one embodiment, a plurality of anti-slip elements  50  may be coupled to a bottom surface  34  of the bladder  30 . The anti-slip elements  50  may be integral to the bottom surface  34  of the bladder  30 , they may be added to the bottom surface  34  of the bladder  30 , or they may be added to a top surface  22  of the traditional toilet seat  20  so as to interface with the bottom surface  34  of the bladder  30  when the bladder  30  is placed atop the traditional toilet seat  20 . 
         [0040]    In another embodiment, at least one fastening member  52  selectively couples to the bladder  30  and the traditional toilet seat  20 . In yet another embodiment, the bottom surface  34  of the bladder  30  has a generally concave configuration so as to selectively mate with a top surface  22  of a traditional toilet seat  20  having a convex configuration. In yet another embodiment, the bladder  30  may combine two or more of the above described features to further decrease the likelihood that the portable high-rise toilet seat  10  will slide off of a traditional toilet seat  20 . 
         [0041]    A second inlet port  120  defining an interior passage  122  may be coupled to the bladder  30 . The interior passage  122  of the second inlet port  120  may selectively allow fluid, such as water, to flow in and out of the interior area  32  of the bladder  30 . A second cap  124  may be selectively coupled to the second inlet port  120  so as to prevent fluid from flowing in and out of the interior area  32  of the bladder  30  through the interior passage  122  of the second inlet port  120  when the second cap  124  is selectively coupled to the second inlet port  120  in a closed configuration. A valve member (not shown) biased so as to prevent fluid from flowing out of the interior area  32  of the bladder  30  through the interior passage  122  of the second inlet port  120  may be coupled to the second inlet port  120 . 
         [0042]    The bladder  30  may include first  101  and second  102  compartments. The first compartment  101  may be in communication with the first inlet port  110  and may be airtight and capable of being inflated. The second compartment  102  may be in communication with the second inlet port  120  and may be airtight and capable of receiving fluids. In this way, the second compartment  102  of the bladder  30  may be at least partially filled with fluid, such as water, while the first compartment  101  remains relatively dry. 
         [0043]    A third inlet port  130  defining an interior passage  132  may be coupled to the bladder  30  in communication with the second compartment  102 . The interior passage  132  of the third inlet port  130  may selectively allow fluid, such as water, to flow in and out of the second compartment  102  of the bladder  30 . A third cap  134  may be selectively coupled to the third inlet port  130  so as to prevent fluid from flowing in and out of the interior area  32  of the bladder  30  through the interior passage  132  of the third inlet port  130  when the third cap  134  is selectively coupled to the third inlet port  130  in a closed configuration. A valve member (not shown) biased so as to prevent fluid from flowing out of the interior area  32  of the bladder  30  through the interior passage  132  of the third inlet port  130  may be coupled to the third inlet port  130 . 
         [0044]    A fourth inlet port  140  defining an interior passage  142  may be coupled to the bladder  30  in communication with the second compartment  102 . The interior passage  142  of the fourth inlet port  140  may selectively allow fluid, such as water, to flow in and out of the second compartment  102  of the bladder  30 . A fourth cap  144  may be selectively coupled to the fourth inlet port  140  so as to prevent fluid from flowing in and out of the interior area  32  of the bladder  30  through the interior passage  142  of the fourth inlet port  140  when the fourth cap  144  is selectively coupled to the fourth inlet port  140  in a closed configuration. A valve member (not shown) biased so as to prevent fluid from flowing out of the interior area  32  of the bladder  30  through the interior passage  142  of the fourth inlet port  140  may be coupled to the fourth inlet port  140 . 
         [0045]    In one embodiment, the second compartment  102  of the bladder  30  has a generally circular configuration corresponding with the overall generally circular configuration of the bladder  30 . A first wall  105  is coupled to and located within the second compartment  102  of the bladder  30 . The first wall  105  and second inlet port  120  are located on opposed ends of the bladder  30 . The third  130  and fourth  140  inlet ports are located adjacent to and on opposed sides of the first wall  105 . The first wall forms an airtight barrier in the second compartment  102  of the bladder  30  between the third  130  and fourth  140  inlet ports. In this way, the second compartment  102  of the bladder  30  defines a first arm section  151  between second  120  and third  130  inlet ports and a second arm section  152  between second  120  and fourth  140  inlet ports. 
         [0046]    In another embodiment, the second compartment  102  of the bladder  30  has a generally U-shaped configuration defining a central opening  12  in the manner of a partial doughnut ( FIG. 9 ). The bladder  30  defines a base section  150  and opposed first  151  and second  152  arm sections. The second inlet port  120  is generally located at the base section  150  of the second compartment  102  of the bladder  30 . The third  130  and fourth  140  inlet ports are displaced from the base section  150  and are generally located at respective ends of opposed first  151  and second  152  arm sections of the second compartment  102  of the bladder  30 . In this way, the first arm section  151  is defined by a portion of the second compartment  102  between the second  120  and third  130  inlet ports and the second arm section  152  is defined by a portion of the second compartment  102  between the second  120  and fourth  140  inlet ports. 
         [0047]    In use, the second  120 , third  130 , and/or fourth  140  inlet ports may be utilized to fill and/or empty the second compartment  102  of the bladder  30 . The second  120 , third  130 , and/or fourth  140  inlet ports may be configured to receive air from a hand dryer, a hair dryer, or any other similar forced air apparatus known in the art. The first arm section  151  of the second compartment  102  of the bladder  30  may be dried by directing relatively dry air from the second inlet port  120  to the third inlet port  130  and vice versa. Similarly, the second arm section  152  of the second compartment  102  of the bladder  30  may be dried by directing relatively dry air from the second inlet port  120  to the fourth inlet port  140  and vice versa. Alternatively, the second compartment  102  of the bladder  30  may be dried by directing relatively dry air from the third inlet port  130  to the fourth inlet port  140  and vice versa. 
         [0048]    In an alternative embodiment ( FIG. 9 ), the bladder  30  has a generally U-shaped configuration defining a base section  160  and opposed first  161  and second  162  arm sections. The bladder  30  includes a tubular construction defining an interior area  32  that is airtight and capable of being inflated by air and/or by an incompressible fluid, such as water. A second inlet port  120  defining an interior passage  122  is coupled to the base section  160  of the bladder  30 . Third  130  and fourth  140  inlet ports are coupled to respective first  171  and second  172  distal ends of respective first  161  and second  162  arm sections of the bladder  30 . In this way, the first arm section  161  is defined by a portion of the bladder  30  between the second  120  and third  130  inlet ports and the second arm section  162  is defined by a portion of the bladder  30  between the second  120  and fourth  140  inlet ports. 
         [0049]    In use, the second  120 , third  130 , and/or fourth  140  inlet ports may be utilized to fill and/or empty the bladder  30 . The second  120 , third  130 , and/or fourth  140  inlet ports may be configured to receive air from a hand dryer, a hair dryer, or any other similar forced air apparatus known in the art. The first arm section  161  of the bladder  30  may be dried by directing relatively dry air from the second inlet port  120  to the third inlet port  130  and vice versa. Similarly, the second arm section  162  of the bladder  30  may be dried by directing relatively dry air from the second inlet port  120  to the fourth inlet port  140  and vice versa. Alternatively, the bladder  30  may be dried by directing relatively dry air from the third inlet port  130  to the fourth inlet port  140  and vice versa. 
         [0050]    Turning to  FIG. 2 , one surface of the bladder  30  may include a plurality of spaced apart lines of weakness  40 —sometimes referred to as lines of perforation or fold lines. The lines of weakness  40  may include opposed first  42  and second  44  lines of weakness. The first  42  and second  44  lines of weakness may be configured so as to enable the bladder  30 , when deflated, to be folded over the first  42  and second  44  lines of weakness. The lines of weakness  40  may further include a third  46  line of weakness. The third  46  line of weakness may be configured so as to enable the bladder  30 , when deflated, to be folded over the third  46  line of weakness. In this way, the bladder  30  may be folded at least twice to make the bladder  30  significantly smaller and capable of being stored and transported in a user&#39;s purse, bag, or even pocket. 
         [0051]    In one embodiment, a plurality of anti-slip elements  50  may be coupled to a bottom surface  34  of the bladder  30 . The anti-slip elements  50  may be integral to the bottom surface  34  of the bladder  30 , they may be added to the bottom surface  34  of the bladder  30 , or they may be added to a top surface  22  of the traditional toilet seat  20  so as to interface with the bottom surface  34  of the bladder  30  when the bladder  30  is placed atop the traditional toilet seat  20 . 
         [0052]    In another embodiment, at least one fastening member  52 , such as a strap, selectively couples to the bladder  30  and the traditional toilet seat  20  ( FIG. 11   a ). The fastening member  52  may utilize hook and loop fasteners. In yet another embodiment, the bottom surface  34  of the bladder  30  has a generally concave configuration so as to selectively mate with a top surface  22  of a traditional toilet seat  20  having a convex configuration ( FIG. 3   b ). In yet another embodiment, the bladder  30  may combine two or more of the above described features to further decrease the likelihood that the portable high-rise toilet seat  10  will slide off of a traditional toilet seat  20 . 
         [0053]    In operation, the portable high-rise toilet seat  10  may be transported in a folded, deflated configuration. When the toilet seat is needed, it may be unfolded and inflated to the inflated configuration, such as by blowing into the first inlet port  110  and/or by adding fluid through at least one of the second  120 , third  130 , or fourth  140  inlet ports. At the inflated configuration, the portable high-rise toilet seat  10  may be positioned atop a traditional toilet seat  20  so as to raise the functional seat height. After use, the first inlet port  110  may be manipulated to allow air to be removed from the bladder  30  and/or the second  120 , third  130 , and/or fourth  140  inlet ports may be manipulated to allow fluid to be removed from the bladder. If necessary, the second  120 , third  130 , and/or fourth  140  inlet ports may be utilized to dry the bladder  30 . The dry deflated bladder  30  may be folded along the lines of weakness as described above and again stored away. 
         [0054]    It is understood that while certain forms of this invention have been illustrated and described, it is not limited thereto except insofar as such limitations are included in the following claims and allowable functional equivalents thereof.