Movable multipurpose toilet cabinet
This application relates a multipurpose moveable toilet cabinet article of furniture that can be used for hiding toilets and beautifying the bathroom, and also can be used independently of the toilet for other furniture functions, such as a stool, chair, table, hamper, storage bin, or supplemental chest of drawers. In some embodiments, the toilet cabinet may be provided in kit or “ready to assemble” form to facilitate shipping.
This application claims the priority benefit of provisional patent application 61/132,874, “Removable, usable toilet chair-cabinet”, filed Jun. 23, 2008. The contents of 61/132,874 are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
This application discloses a multipurpose moveable article of furniture or “toilet cabinet” that can be used for hiding toilets and beautifying the bathroom, and can also be used independently of the toilet for other furniture functions as well.
2. Description of the Related Art
Many people find the toilet in the modern bathroom to be unsightly due to the toilet's proximity to the bathtub, shower or sink. Recent bathroom trends have attempted to take the bathroom beyond mere utilitarian functions into the realm of the living space. For example, faucets, sinks, toilets, and vanities have all been made increasingly ornate. Many people now use the bathtub—bathroom as a place of relaxation, and try to think of it as a personal spa. Unfortunately the visual proximity of the exposed toilet bowl detracts from this spa effect.
In other cases, family needs require that the bathroom be used by multiple individuals who are not using the toilet. For example, young parents may need to bathe young children, or caregivers may need to bathe the elderly and infirm. Here the toilet occupies valuable bathroom “real estate” that could be better used for alternate purposes, such as for a temporary table, chair, or storage space.
In other situations, such as smaller homes and apartments, floor space as a whole may be limited. Families also have other needs, such as need for a hamper to store dirty clothes, temporary need for a table, or occasional need for an extra stool, and have a need to meet these needs in a space efficient manner.
Prior art efforts have attempted to address the problem of toilet unsightliness by making large, semi-permanently attached, enclosures for the toilet. These prior art approaches required that the user use the toilet while the enclosure was attached, which resulted in many cleaning issues, and the semi-permanent attachment made it difficult to clean under the chair. These approaches have not met with much commercial success.
Examples of this prior art include U.S. Pat. No. 2,089,775 to Wexelberg, U.S. Pat. No. 2,749,968 to Suser, U.S. Pat. No. 3,716,872 to Zieman, U.S. Pat. No. 4,368,551 to Cummings, U.S. Pat. No. 6,311,341 to Zwezdaryk, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,174,578 to Mitchell.
Suser in U.S. Pat. No. 2,749,968 describes an overall cover for water closets and flush bowls. His design has the drawback, however, that it is not self supporting. Further, his design is not easily removable.
Zieman in U.S. Pat. No. 3,716,872 describes a toilet cover chair that fits over the common toilet including the water box. The chair includes arms and a back, and the seating portion of the chair has a closable opening.
More recently, Mitchell in U.S. Pat. No. 7,174,578 disclosed toilet covers with multiple drawers for storing toiletries. This cover is again affixed to the bathroom floor.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONGiven the need to occasionally cover toilets, occasionally convert the toilet into a temporary table or shelf, occasional need for additional storage space for dirty clothing and other items, and occasional need for extra stools or end-tables, there is an unmet need for an easily moved multiple-function article of furniture that can perform these various functions.
In one aspect, the invention is a “toilet cabinet” or “toilet furniture” that at least temporarily disguises the toilet to look like a different piece of furniture, thereby making the bathroom to look more a place of relaxation, and less like a place for waste elimination.
In another aspect, the invention may be used either on or away from the toilet as a chair or stool, hamper or other storage unit, shelf, or side-table.
In other aspects, the invention may be used to help the infirmed to get on and off the toilet. The invention may also be used as a ‘child safety latch’ or ‘soft-closing hinge’ to make the toilet safer for toddlers.
Unlike prior art dedicated toilet-chair inventions, the “toilet cabinet” or “toilet furniture” invention is designed for convenient and rapid mounting and dismounting from the toilet, and the invention is also designed with additional functionality designed to enhance its multipurpose utility for other, off-toilet applications.
Throughout this specification, the multipurpose toilet furniture or “toilet cabinet” will alternately be described as either “the device” or “the invention”, and it will frequently also be referred to as a “toilet cabinet”.
The invention is designed to accomplish multiple purpose. One function is to hide the toilet bowl, which is often considered unsightly. Another function is to cover the toilet bowl, and thus improve sanitation by blocking unwanted, bacteria-containing, aerosols associated with toilet use. Another function includes child safety functions, and here the device can function as a child safety lock, preventing access to the toilet bowl as desired.
As previously discussed, other functions include use for seating, for storage, and as a table, either on or off the toilet.
Unlike other prior art “toilet chairs”, the toilet cabinet invention is designed for rapid portability, and is supported by the floor, and by various wheels, glides, or rollers on the base of the invention rather than the toilet structure itself. The invention is designed to be easily rolled into position over the toilet bowl, and then out away from the toilet bowl. This facilitates rapid removal for easy cleaning.
In order to facilitate a temporary but secure fit with a toilet, some embodiment of the invention may have a number of internal structure and custom adjustment features designed to expedite rapid but snug attachment and detachment from standard or custom toilet bowls.
Most standard toilets have a characteristic pedestal shape, in which a wide upper bowl/basing, usually with a toilet seat, usually about 14-16 inches wide, and about 18-26 inches away from a back wall or toilet tank, is supported about 16 inches above the bathroom floor by a narrower toilet pedestal base, usually about 6-12 inches wide.
Some embodiment of the invention will achieve a relatively precise fit between various fixed position internal structures in the toilet cabinet (e.g. boards or shelves with fixed position cutouts that fit around the toilet pedestal and/or bowl). In other embodiments, the internal structures in the toilet cabinet may be adjustable to various widths by means of moving slots, screw threads, pegs, levers, knobs and the like.
This will allow these internal structures to fit multiple different brands and sizes of toilet.
These adjustable internal openings or structures may, for example be spring-mounted, may be of a deformable material such as a pneumatic tire like material or a foam-like material, or may be manually adjustable (for example after purchase) by means of screws, pegs, knobs and other means to allow the invention to be rapidly customized to fit snugly, but non-permanently into the characteristic toilet pedestal space or basin space. As another example, multiple inserts customized to various standard toilet bowls may be provided, and the user can pick the insert best suited to their particular toilet design.
In order to facilitate very rapid insertion and removal into the toilet bowl space, the invention may be mounted on wheels, coasters, glides, or the like. These wheels, coasters, and glides may be of fixed height, but often will be variable height in order to accommodate different toilet designs. Depending upon application, these wheels or coasters may be designed with an optional locking mechanism that will allow the user to easily prevent rolling once the invention has been rolled onto the toilet bowl. In this situation, it will be useful to also allow the user to unlock the wheels once removal from the toilet bowl is desired. This optional locking and unlocking mechanism may either be designed for immediate and ready access (for example in adult households), or alternatively be designed with more difficult to access “child proof” mechanism to prevent accidental unlocking by young children, elderly, or disabled users.
In order to facilitate multipurpose operation, the invention may also be equipped with one or more attachments. These attachments may include 1) a toilet paper holder, 2) a magazine or book holder, 3) a side mounted desktop or hinged leaf that can be raised to extend the useful area of the top, 4) side mounted hand-supports to aid in mounting or dismounting of the invention, 5), a detachable basket or box to allow for extra internal storage, such as for a hamper (see
The toilet bowl compartment (2) sits over the toilet bowl, (not shown). The top plane is attached to and supported by a front and two sides which make the vertical planes. The bottom plane is the support brace or frame (3) which keeps the toilet bowl compartment (2) square and, also makes an attachment point for the wheels or glides (4). Additionally, this support brace or frame (3) will often have a cutout (200) designed to accommodate the toilet bowl pedestal, preferably with a fairly precise fit between the cutout and the pedestal to help prevent lateral movement of the toilet cabinet once the cabinet is in place. Alternatively, adjustment mechanisms (e.g. the previously described adjustable screws, levers, pegs, etc.) may be attached to frame (3) and used to adjust the width of cutout (200) to better fit a variety of different sized toilet pedestals.
The rear of toilet bowl compartment (2) is open. In order to accommodate the base pedestal of the toilet bowl, there may be more than one bottom brace (3), positioned at various levels heights inside the compartment 2, each with its own large slot-shaped opening, each of which may be adjustable by means of the previously discussed width or height adjustment mechanisms. The top surface of the toilet cabinet will often also have a cutout (202) designed to fit around the upper portion of the toilet, and in some embodiments, this cutout may also be made adjustable by various screws, levers, slides or other adjustment mechanisms.
As previously discussed, in order to facilitate use with a wide variety of different toilet designs, it often will be advantageous to make the height of the wheels or glides (4) adjustable by a mechanism (203), such as an adjustable screw mechanism, rod with detents, pneumatic adjust, or other mechanism to raise or lower the height of the toilet cabinet from between a fraction of an inch to up to two or more inches in order to allow the cabinet to fit over toilet bowls positioned at various heights above the bathroom floor.
In some embodiments, there may also be a detent or handle (8) on the front of the lid (1).
In operation, the toilet cabinet invention or device of
In this configuration, when the lid (1) is in the open position, the toilet can be accessed and used. When the lid (1) is in the closed position, (as shown in
The device is moved easily across the floor into or out of position over the toilet by means of wheels or glides (4). With this device placed over the toilet in the closed position, the toilet bowl is hidden from view and therefore hides the most objectionable part of the bathroom.
The toilet bowl compartment (2) and the toilet tank compartment (10) are two sections of the whole device. As before, the bottom support brace or frame (3) helps to keep the toilet bowl compartment (2) square and also makes an attachment point for the wheels or glides (4). The lid (1) can be lifted up with the aid of a detent or handle (8) located on the front of the lid (1) and pivoting on the hinge (5) at the rear of the lid (1) to give access to use the toilet.
The rear support or brace (6) at the top of the toilet bowl compartment (2) and at the bottom of the tank compartment (10) keep the sides of the compartment parallel and square and serve as an attachment point for the hinge (5). In this embodiment, a cutout (here symbolized by the crescent moon shape) (7) on the front of the toilet tank compartment (10) provides access to a toilet flush handle (not shown), which is normally mounted on the toilet tank of most standard toilets.
In this embodiment, the toilet tank compartment (10) is joined to the top of the toilet bowl compartment (2) (as described above), and the whole device is thus composed of both of these sections. The rear support or brace (6) at the top of the toilet bowl compartment (2) is the bottom of the tank compartment (10). The sides and front of the tank compartment make up vertical planes of tank compartment and the rear brace (6) and the top are the horizontal planes. The front of the tank compartment is attached to the sides laterally, and attached to the top at its front edge, and attached to rear brace (6) at the bottom; this is also the point at which the tank compartment (10) is joined to the bowl compartment (2). There is cutout (7) (not intended to be limited to the shape of a crescent moon, any shape that allows access to the handle will work) on the front of the toilet tank compartment (10).
In operation, the for the device shown in
As previously discussed, the function of the cutout (7) is to provide access to the toilet flush lever. Here this feature is not considered to be limiting, but rather is mentioned or drawn to symbolize any general purpose method or mechanism that allows the user to flush the toilet without removing the entire device from around the toilet.
As before, the bottom support brace or frame (3) helps to keep the toilet bowl compartment (2) square and makes an attachment point for the wheels or glides (4). The rear support or brace (6) at the top of the toilet bowl compartment (2) and at the bottom of the tank compartment (10) also keep the sides of the compartment parallel and square, and support brace (6) may also incorporate mechanisms (previously discussed) to adjust the gap between the edge of brace (6) and the toilet tank (102—not shown).
Note that in this embodiment, the floor (9) of the storage compartment (12) keeps this area separate from the toilet bowl compartment. Often the device of
The optional back wall (11) of the storage compartment can keep this area separate from the toilet tank compartment. The lid (1) can be lifted up with the aid of an optional detent or handle (8) located on the front of the lid (1) and pivoting on the hinge (5) at the rear of the lid (1) to give access to the storage area (12).
In an alternate embodiment of the invention shown in
In some embodiments of the invention, there may not be a moveable top lid (1). Rather the solid top will be permanently fixed in a down position. This embodiment is shown in
As before, the lid (1) can be lifted up with the aid of a detent or handle (8) located on the front of the lid (1). This will often pivot on one or more hinges (5) located at the rear of the lid (1) and attached to the bottom of the front of tank compartment (10).
As before, the cutout (7) on the front of the toilet tank compartment (10) provides access to the toilet tank handle. The top surface (15) of the two lower storage areas (12) lateral to the toilet bowl area (2) extends to become the upper storage area (12) floors (9). All storage areas are made accessible though the doors (13) by use of optional handles or detents (8).
Another embodiment of the invention, with one or more storage drawers, is shown in
The uses and benefits of the
Further discussion:
In the embodiment previously discussed in
As previously discussed, the device can also be used independently of the toilet by easily rolling or sliding the device away from the toilet on its wheels or glides (4). Although some versions of the invention may omit these wheels or glides (4), many versions will have at least two wheels or glides (4), and it will also be common to use four wheels or glides, six wheels or glides, or more as desired.
The basic frame of the device may be made out of almost any light-weight and strong material such as, but not limited to wood, metal or plastic.
Similarly, the embodiment of the invention shown in
In some embodiments, the toilet cabinet device shown in
In either case, the embodiment shown in
By contrast, the embodiment shown in
Some embodiments of this invention are designed to also be useful when not in position over a toilet bowl. However in this situation, when the toilet cabinet is not in position over the toilet bowl, the large back opening of the unit (210) will be exposed, which may be cosmetically undesirable.
To hide this undesirable back opening (210), in some embodiments of the invention, this large opening may be closed by means of a roll down blind, flexible cloth, plastic, leather or fabric closing, or by a more rigid plastic, wood, or metal closing that can be easily affixed in place when the invention is not attached to the toilet (not shown).
The main difference between the embodiment shown in
In another embodiment, the various portions of the toilet cabinet may be provided in a kit form, ready to assemble for easier shipping. Often this kit will provide instructions for assembly, and optional additional assembly tools such as screwdrivers, wrenches, or glue.
Thus to summarize, in one embodiment, the invention is a toilet cabinet for covering at least a bathroom toilet bowl mounted on the floor of a bathroom, said toilet bowl having a wide toilet basin mounted atop a narrower toilet pedestal, said toilet cabinet comprising: a rigid hollow cabinet with wheels, glides or rollers attached to the bottom of the cabinet; said cabinet having at least a partially open back and a partially open bottom; said bottom having an open slot with an opening extending to the back of the cabinet, said open back and slot configured to allow the cabinet, while resting on its wheels glides or rollers to be pushed over a bathroom toilet bowl while said toilet bowl is affixed to said floor of the bathroom; said open slot being configured to be wide enough to admit said narrower toilet pedestal, but narrow enough not to admit said toilet basin, thus acting to at least partially constrain the movement of the toilet cabinet while it is over the toilet basin; said cabinet having a front, right side, and left side made of a rigid material that substantially covers the toilet bowl; said cabinet additionally having a top made of a rigid material, said cabinet top, front side, right side, left side, front, bottom, back and wheels glides or rollers being configured to allow the cabinet, in at least one configuration, to be freely moved on said wheels glides or rollers between a first position where the cabinet covers the toilet bowl, and a second position where the cabinet is no longer associated with the toilet bowl.
In another embodiment, the invention is a toilet cabinet for covering at least a bathroom toilet bowl mounted on the floor of a bathroom, said toilet bowl having a wide toilet basin mounted atop a narrower toilet pedestal, said toilet cabinet comprising: a rigid hollow cabinet with at least four wheels or rollers attached to the bottom of the cabinet; said cabinet having at least a partially open back and a partially open bottom; said bottom having an open slot with an opening extending to the back of the cabinet, said open back and slot configured to allow the cabinet, while resting on its wheels glides or rollers to be pushed over a bathroom toilet bowl while said toilet bowl is affixed to said floor of the bathroom; said open slot being configured to be wide enough to admit said narrower toilet pedestal, but narrow enough not to admit said toilet basin, thus acting to at least partially constrain the movement of the toilet cabinet while it is over the toilet basin; in which the open slot and/or the partially open back additionally contain one or more toilet shape conforming mechanisms that allow the user to adjust the dimensions of the open slot and/or the partially open back openings to precisely fit the dimensions of the toilet pedestal and/or the toilet basin; said cabinet having a front, right side, and left side made of a rigid material that substantially covers the toilet bowl; said cabinet additionally having a top made of a rigid material, said top containing a lid mounted to the top by a hinge; said cabinet top, front side, right side, left side, front, bottom, back and wheels glides or rollers being configured to allow the cabinet, in at least one configuration, to be freely moved on said wheels or rollers between a first position where the cabinet covers the toilet bowl, and a second position where the cabinet is no longer associated with the toilet bowl.
Any of these embodiments may also be equipped with one or more additional mechanisms selected from the group consisting of a toilet paper holder, a magazine or book holder, a side mounted desktop or hinged leaf that can be raised to extend the useful area of the top, or a side mounted hand-supports to aid in mounting or dismounting of the invention, a detachable basket or box to allow internal storage, an internal permanently installed or detachable net that will allow the invention to be used for storage when not attached to the toilet bowl, a child safety lock on the lid, a magnetic catch or link between the lid of the device and the existing toilet seat lid so both lids can be opened or closed simultaneously, and a soft-closing hinge or attachment for the lid.
Additionally, any of these embodiments may have a mechanism to cover the open back of the toilet cabinet when the toilet cabinet is not in position over the toilet. Further, any of these embodiments may also have embodiments in which toilet cabinet additionally covers the tank of the toilet with a rigid material, the tank of the toilet contains a flush mechanism to operate the toilet, and the toilet cabinet contains an opening or mechanism by which to operate the toilet flush mechanism.
Claims
1. A toilet cabinet for covering at least a bathroom toilet bowl mounted on the floor of a bathroom, said toilet bowl having a wide toilet basin mounted atop a narrower toilet pedestal, said toilet cabinet comprising: said cabinet top, front side, right side, left side, front, bottom, back and wheels glides or rollers being configured to allow the cabinet, in at least one configuration, to be freely moved on said wheels, glides, or rollers between a first position where the cabinet covers the toilet bowl, and a second position where the cabinet is no longer associated with the toilet bowl.
- a rigid hollow cabinet with wheels, glides or rollers attached to the bottom of the cabinet; said cabinet having at least a partially open back and a partially open bottom;
- said bottom having an open slot with an opening extending to the back of the cabinet, said open back and slot configured to allow the cabinet, while resting on its wheels, glides, or rollers to be pushed over a bathroom toilet bowl while said toilet bowl is affixed to said floor of the bathroom;
- said open slot being configured to be wide enough to admit said narrower toilet pedestal, but narrow enough not to admit said toilet basin, thus acting to at least partially constrain the movement of the toilet cabinet while it is over the toilet basin;
- said cabinet having a front, right side, and left side made of a rigid material that substantially covers the toilet bowl;
- said cabinet additionally having a top made of a rigid material,
2. The toilet cabinet of claim 1, in which the open slot and/or the partially open back additionally comprise one or more toilet shape conforming mechanisms that allows the user to adjust the dimensions of the open slot and/or the partially open back openings to precisely fit the dimensions of the toilet pedestal and/or the toilet basin.
3. The toilet cabinet of claim 1, in which the toilet shape confirming mechanisms comprise one or more mechanisms selected from the group consisting of springs, screws, pegs, knobs, pneumatic tire like materials, or deformable foam-like materials.
4. The toilet cabinet of claim 1, in which the cabinet wheels, glides or rollers are height adjustable.
5. The toilet cabinet of claim 1, in which the cabinet has wheels or rollers attached to the bottom, and in which the cabinet has least one additional locking mechanism that allows the user to keep these wheels or rollers from freely turning.
6. The toilet cabinet of claim 1, in which the toilet cabinet additionally comprises one or more mechanisms selected from the group consisting of a toilet paper holder, a magazine or book holder, a side mounted desktop or hinged leaf that can be raised to extend the useful area of the top, or a side mounted hand-supports to aid in mounting or dismounting of the invention.
7. The toilet cabinet of claim 1, in which the top contains a lid mounted on a hinge, configured to allow a user, when the cabinet is over the toilet bowl and the lid is open, to gain access to the toilet bowl.
8. The toilet cabinet of claim 7, in which the toilet cabinet additionally comprises one or more additional mechanisms selected from the group consisting of a detachable basket or box to allow internal storage, an internal permanently installed or detachable net that will allow the invention to be used for storage when not attached to the toilet bowl, a child safety lock on the lid, a magnetic catch or link between the lid of the device and the existing toilet seat lid so both lids can be opened or closed simultaneously, and a soft-closing hinge or attachment for the lid.
9. The toilet cabinet of claim 1, in which the toilet cabinet has a mechanism to cover the open back of the toilet cabinet when the toilet cabinet is not in position over the toilet.
10. The toilet cabinet of claim 1, in which the toilet cabinet additionally covers the tank of the toilet with a rigid material, the tank of the toilet contains a flush mechanism to operate the toilet, and the toilet cabinet contains an opening or mechanism by which to operate the toilet flush mechanism.
11. The toilet cabinet in claim 1 in a kit form, in which at least some of the sides of the cabinet are provided in a precut but detached form along with optional instructions for assembly.
12. A toilet cabinet for covering at least a bathroom toilet bowl mounted on the floor of a bathroom, said toilet bowl having a wide toilet basin mounted atop a narrower toilet pedestal, said toilet cabinet comprising:
- a rigid hollow cabinet with at least four wheels or rollers attached to the bottom of the cabinet; said cabinet having at least a partially open back and a partially open bottom;
- said bottom having an open slot with an opening extending to the back of the cabinet, said open back and slot configured to allow the cabinet, while resting on its wheels glides or rollers to be pushed over a bathroom toilet bowl while said toilet bowl is affixed to said floor of the bathroom;
- said open slot being configured to be wide enough to admit said narrower toilet pedestal, but narrow enough not to admit said toilet basin, thus acting to at least partially constrain the movement of the toilet cabinet while it is over the toilet basin;
- said cabinet having a front, right side, and left side made of a rigid material that substantially covers the toilet bowl;
- said cabinet additionally having a top made of a rigid material, said top containing a lid mounted to the top by a hinge;
- said cabinet top, front side, right side, left side, front, bottom, back and wheels glides or rollers being configured to allow the cabinet, in at least one configuration, to be freely moved on said wheels or rollers between a first position where the cabinet covers the toilet bowl, and a second position where the cabinet is no longer associated with the toilet bowl.
13. The toilet cabinet of claim 12, in which the open slot and/or the partially open back are designed with one or more toilet shape conforming mechanisms that allows the user to adjust the dimensions of the open slot and/or the partially open back openings to precisely fit the dimensions of the toilet pedestal and/or the toilet basin;
- and in which the toilet shape conforming mechanisms comprise one or more mechanisms selected from the group consisting of springs, screws, pegs, knobs, pneumatic tire like materials, or deformable foam-like materials.
14. The toilet cabinet of claim 12, in which the cabinet has wheels or rollers attached to the bottom, and in which the cabinet has least one additional locking mechanism that allows the user to keep these wheels or rollers from freely turning.
15. The toilet cabinet of claim 12, in which the toilet cabinet additionally comprises one or more additional mechanisms selected from the group consisting of a toilet paper holder, a magazine or book holder, a side mounted desktop or hinged leaf that can be raised to extend the useful area of the top, or a side mounted hand-supports to aid in mounting or dismounting of the invention, a detachable basket or box to allow internal storage, an internal permanently installed or detachable net that will allow the invention to be used for storage when not attached to the toilet bowl, a child safety lock on the lid, a magnetic catch or link between the lid of the device and the existing toilet seat lid so both lids can be opened or closed simultaneously, and a soft-closing hinge or attachment for the lid.
16. The toilet cabinet of claim 12, in which the toilet cabinet has a mechanism to cover the open back of the toilet cabinet when the toilet cabinet is not in position over the toilet.
17. The toilet cabinet of claim 12, in which the toilet cabinet additionally covers the tank of the toilet with a rigid material, the tank of the toilet contains a flush mechanism to operate the toilet, and the toilet cabinet contains an opening or mechanism by which to operate the toilet flush mechanism.
18. The toilet cabinet of claim 12, in which the front of the toilet cabinet contains openings for at least one drawer, and in which the height of the toilet cabinet is high enough to allow said at least one drawer to be inserted in said toilet cabinet when said toilet cabinet is mounted over the toilet bowl.
19. A toilet cabinet for covering at least a bathroom toilet bowl mounted on the floor of a bathroom, said toilet bowl having a wide toilet basin mounted atop a narrower toilet pedestal, said toilet cabinet comprising:
- a rigid hollow cabinet with at least four wheels or rollers attached to the bottom of the cabinet; said cabinet having at least a partially open back and a partially open bottom;
- said bottom having an open slot with an opening extending to the back of the cabinet, said open back and slot configured to allow the cabinet, while resting on its wheels glides or rollers to be pushed over a bathroom toilet bowl while said toilet bowl is affixed to said floor of the bathroom;
- said open slot being configured to be wide enough to admit said narrower toilet pedestal, but narrow enough not to admit said toilet basin, thus acting to at least partially constrain the movement of the toilet cabinet while it is over the toilet basin;
- in which the open slot and/or the partially open back additionally contain one or more toilet shape conforming mechanisms that allow the user to adjust the dimensions of the open slot and/or the partially open back openings to precisely fit the dimensions of the toilet pedestal and/or the toilet basin;
- said cabinet having a front, right side, and left side made of a rigid material that substantially covers the toilet bowl;
- said cabinet additionally having a top made of a rigid material, said top containing a lid mounted to the top by a hinge;
- said cabinet top, front side, right side, left side, front, bottom, back and wheels glides or rollers being configured to allow the cabinet, in at least one configuration, to be freely moved on said wheels or rollers between a first position where the cabinet covers the toilet bowl, and a second position where the cabinet is no longer associated with the toilet bowl.
20. The toilet cabinet of claim 19, in which the toilet cabinet additionally comprises one or more additional mechanisms selected from the group consisting of a toilet paper holder, a magazine or book holder, a side mounted desktop or hinged leaf that can be raised to extend the useful area of the top, or a side mounted hand-supports to aid in mounting or dismounting of the invention, a detachable basket or box to allow internal storage, an internal permanently installed or detachable net that will allow the invention to be used for storage when not attached to the toilet bowl, a child safety lock on the lid, a magnetic catch or link between the lid of the device and the existing toilet seat lid so both lids can be opened or closed simultaneously, and a soft-closing hinge or attachment for the lid.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 13, 2009
Publication Date: Dec 24, 2009
Inventors: Angela Mae Robinson (San Jose, CA), Glenn Tirado (San Jose, CA)
Application Number: 12/381,600
International Classification: A47B 97/00 (20060101); A47B 65/00 (20060101);