PORTABLE COMPACT TOILET ENCLOSURE

A portable compact toilet enclosure includes a main frame having an interior portion, a side frame, and a hood portion. The side frame is slidably coupled to the main frame and configured such that in a closed configuration of the portable compact toilet enclosure, the side frame portion is substantially disposed within the interior portion of the main frame. In an open configuration, the side frame is positioned away from the main frame such that substantial portions of the side frame portion are disposed outside of the interior portion of the main frame. The hood portion is hingedly attached to the side frame and configured such that in the closed configuration the hood portion is substantially disposed within the interior portion of the main frame, and in the open configuration is rotated in an upright position and substantially disposed outside of the interior portion of the main frame.

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Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/359,696, filed on Jun. 29, 2010, and entitled CONVERT A JON (Atty. Dkt. No. MCCL-30,093) which is incorporated herein by reference in it entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The following disclosure related to toilet enclosures, and more particularly to a portable compact toilet enclosure including a main frame and a side frame in which the side frame slides apart from the main frame enabling a hood to fold upward to form an enclosure.

BACKGROUND

Many toilets have enclosures that are too large to transport to where they are needed and often require disassembly and reassembly before use. Other toilet enclosures must be transported with a truck and pumped with a service truck to maintain sanitation. Various manufacturers have built restrooms on trailers that are portable, but usually these are designed to be set up at a specific location for a special function or event. These trailers are also expensive and are not feasible for use in many field applications. Some existing systems consist of a portable tent that can be used to house a toilet or shower which require some assembly before they can be used and an adequate space must be provided for the toilet to be placed upon. Although such systems may be mobile, they are not truly portable for use anywhere.

SUMMARY

An embodiment of a portable compact toilet enclosure includes a main frame having an interior portion, a side frame, and a hood portion. The side frame is slidably coupled to the main frame and has a left side frame portion and a right side frame portion. The side frame is configured such that in a closed configuration of the portable compact toilet enclosure, the left side frame portion and the right side frame portion are substantially disposed within the interior portion of the main frame. In an open configuration of the portable compact toilet enclosure, the left side frame portion and the right side frame portion are positioned away from the main frame such that substantial portions of the left side frame portion and the right side frame portion are disposed outside of the interior portion of the main frame. The hood portion is hingedly attached to the side frame and configured such that in the closed configuration the hood portion is substantially disposed within the interior portion of the main frame, and in the open configuration the hood portion is rotated in an upright position and substantially disposed outside of the interior portion of the main frame.

Another embodiment of a portable compact toilet enclosure includes a main frame having an interior portion, a side frame, and a hood portion. The side frame is slidably coupled to the main frame and configured such that in a closed configuration of the portable compact toilet enclosure, the side frame portion is substantially disposed within the interior portion of the main frame. In an open configuration of the portable compact toilet enclosure, the side frame is positioned away from the main frame such that substantial portions of the side frame portion are disposed outside of the interior portion of the main frame. The hood portion is hingedly attached to the side frame and configured such that in the closed configuration the hood portion is substantially disposed within the interior portion of the main frame, and in the open configuration the hood portion is rotated in an upright position and substantially disposed outside of the interior portion of the main frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings in which:

FIGS. 1A & 1B illustrate an embodiment of a portable compact toilet enclosure in a closed configuration;

FIG. 1C illustrates a cross-sectional right side view of the embodiment of the portable compact toilet enclosure in the closed configuration in which the portable compact toilet enclosure is attached to a vehicle;

FIGS. 2A & 2B illustrate an embodiment of the portable compact toilet enclosure in an open configuration;

FIG. 2C illustrates a cross-sectional right side view of the portable compact toilet enclosure attached to the vehicle while in the open configuration;

FIG. 3 illustrates a front perspective view of another embodiment of a portable compact toilet enclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates a right side view of the portable compact toilet enclosure of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of the portable compact toilet enclosure of FIG. 3;

FIGS. 6A-6B illustrate another embodiment of the main frame of the portable compact toilet enclosure;

FIGS. 7A-7B illustrate an embodiment of a shower pan for use with another embodiment of the portable compact toilet enclosure;

FIGS. 8A-8B illustrate an embodiment of a side panel for use with another embodiment of the portable compact toilet enclosure;

FIGS. 9A-9B illustrate an embodiment of a lower door and upper door for use with the portable compact toilet enclosure; and

FIGS. 10A-10B illustrate an embodiment of the hood portion of the portable compact toilet enclosure.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numbers are used herein to designate like elements throughout, the various views and embodiments of a portable compact toilet enclosure are illustrated and described, and other possible embodiments are described. The figures are not necessarily drawn to scale, and in some instances the drawings have been exaggerated and/or simplified in places for illustrative purposes only. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate the many possible applications and variations based on the following examples of possible embodiments.

Various embodiments relate to compact portable toilets, specifically toilet enclosures for housing toilets and/or other restroom facilities to allow for easy transport and accessibility of the toilets. Various embodiments provide a portable compact toilet enclosure that may be easily transported on common vehicles such as trucks and work trailers on a daily basis. Some embodiments provide for a compact portable toilet enclosure and/or shower having its own water supply and holding tank designed to be transported to any desired location on a vehicle such as an auto, trailer, truck or fleet vehicle. In at least one embodiment, the portable compact toilet enclosure has a side frame that slides apart from a main frame to form a space to accommodate a user and plumbing accessories. In at least one embodiment, the portable compact toilet enclosure may be made of aluminum and/or plastic. In various embodiments, the portable compact toilet enclosure is of a size designed for easy travel and transport. In various embodiments, the portable compact toilet enclosure includes a hood portion that is raised up to make headroom to accommodate a person of normal size. Some embodiments of the portable compact toilet enclosure may include one or more tanks to hold waste and/or water, and one or more pumps to pump the water to a desired location within the enclosure. Still other embodiments may include solar powered lights, fans, macerator pumps, hot water, etc. Various embodiments include features that make an all-in-one restroom for a user to provide facilities such as a shower, toilet, sink and other restroom devices or fixtures. Example uses for the portable compact toilet enclosure include uses out in the field and recreational use for outdoorsmen such as hunters. Other examples of use for the portable compact toilet enclosure include use by governments and other entities such as for the U.S. Postal Service, the Border Patrol, game wardens, forestry services, departments of transportation, the Department of Defense, city departments, and utility companies such as phone, electric, water, and cable TV. Other example uses include use in disaster areas FEMA, church ministries, etc. In still other embodiments, rental companies may rent the portable compact toilet enclosure to users. In some embodiments, smaller units may be provided that are even more compact. In still other embodiments, different accessories for the portable compact toilet enclosure may be offered according to the intended uses by the user.

FIGS. 1A & 1B illustrate an embodiment of a portable compact toilet enclosure 2 in a closed configuration. FIG. 1A illustrates a front perspective view of the embodiment of the portable, compact toilet enclosure 2 in a closed configuration. FIG. 1B illustrates a cross-sectional, right side view of the embodiment of the portable compact toilet enclosure 2 in the closed configuration. The portable compact toilet 2 includes a main frame 10 having a back portion 12, a left side portion 14, a right side portion 16, and a bottom portion 18. In the particular embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the back portion 12 intersects the left side portion 14 in planes that are substantially perpendicular to one another. In addition, the back portion 12 intersects the right side portion 16 at planes that are substantially perpendicular to one another, and the left side portion 14 and the right side portion 16 are in planes that are substantially parallel to one another. The bottom portion 18 lies in a plane substantially perpendicular to the back portion 12, the left side portion 14 and the right side portion 16. The back portion 12 forms a back wall of the portable compact toilet enclosure 2. The left side portion 14 and the right side portion 16 form left and right walls of the portable compact toilet enclosure 2, respectively. The bottom portion 18 forms a floor of the portable compact toilet enclosure 2. The portable compact toilet enclosure 2 further includes a seat portion 26 extending from the left side portion 14 to the right side portion 16 positioned at a predetermined height from the bottom portion 18 so as to allow a user to sit upon the seat portion 26 when the portable compact toilet enclosure 2 is in use by the user.

The portable compact toilet enclosure 2 further includes a side frame 20 including a left side frame portion 22, a right side frame portion 24, and a front face portion 32. The left side frame portion 22 and the right side frame portion 24 intersect with the front face portion 32 in planes substantially perpendicular to that of the front face portion 32 and lie in planes substantially parallel to one another. In the closed configuration, the left side frame portion 22 and the right side frame portion 24 are substantially enclosed within the main frame 10. In a particular embodiment, the side frame 20 is slidably supported within the interior of the main frame 10 such that the side frame 20 may be pulled or otherwise positioned forward away from the back portion 12 to extend substantial portions of the left side frame portion 22 and the right side frame portion 24 substantially outside of the main frame 10 during configuration of the portable compact toilet enclosure 2 into the open configuration as will be further described with respect to FIGS. 2A and 2B. In a particular embodiment, the left side frame portion 22 is slidably supported on the interior surface of the left side portion 14, and the right side frame portion 24 is slidably supported on the interior surface of the right side portion 16, respectively, via one or more side guides 150 (see FIG. 2A).

The portable compact toilet enclosure 2 further includes a hood portion 30 hingedly attached to an upper portion of the side frame 20. The hood portion 30 forms a partial enclosure of a size and shape to accommodate an upper portion of a body of a user when the user is standing within the portable compact toilet enclosure 2 when the portable compact toilet enclosure 2 is in the open configuration. In a particular embodiment, the hood portion 30 is a rigid hood which includes at least a front wall, rear wall, left wall, right wall and top wall with an open bottom portion to accommodate the upper torso and head of a user when standing within the portable compact toilet enclosure 2. In a particular embodiment, the hood portion 30 may further include an angled wall positioned between the top wall and the back wall. In at least one embodiment, the hood portion 30 is hingedly coupled to the side frame 20 via a hood hinge 80. In the closed configuration, the hood portion 30 is substantially contained within the main frame 10. In the particular embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1B, the back wall of the hood portion 30 is proximate to and substantially parallel to the back portion 12 of the main frame 10 when the portable compact toilet enclosure 2 in the closed configuration.

The portable compact toilet enclosure 2 further includes a lid 40 configured to interface with and enclose upper portions of the back portion 12, the left side portion 14, the right side portion 16 and the front face portion 32 when the portable compact toilet enclosure 2 is in the closed configuration. In a particular embodiment, the lid 40 is hingedly attached to the main frame 10 via a lid hinge 70. In a particular embodiment, the lid hinge 70 is located proximate to or affixed to the back portion 12 of the main frame 10 such that the lid 40 may be rotated in a raised position when it is desired to configure the portable compact toilet enclosure 2 in the open configuration. In a particular embodiment, the lid 40 functions to seal and protect the portable compact toilet enclosure 2 from elements and weather when in the lid 40 is in the lowered position.

The portable compact toilet enclosure 2 further includes a floor pan 50 hingedly attached proximate to the bottom portion 18 of the main frame 10 via a floor pan hinge 60. In at least one embodiment, the floor pan 50 is of a box-like configuration having an open top sized to accommodate the feet of a user when the portable compact toilet enclosure 2 is in an open configuration as will be further described with respect to FIGS. 2A and 2B.

The portable compact toilet enclosure 2 further includes a lower door 100 affixed to the left side frame portion 22 via an upper door hinge 120 and a lower door hinge 130. The portable compact toilet enclosure 2 further includes an upper door 110 having a lower portion hingedly coupled to an upper portion of the lower door 100. In the closed configuration, the upper door 110 is pivoted into a position such that the face of the lower door 100 is substantially perpendicular to the face of the upper door 110, and the upper door 110 is substantially disposed within the interior of the portable compact toilet enclosure 2 and substantially covered by the lid 40. The lower door 100 may further include a door handle 140 to facilitate opening of the lower door 100 and upper door 110 by a user when a portable compact toilet enclosure 2 is in an open configuration.

The portable compact toilet enclosure 2 further includes a toilet bowl 200 having a bowl end coupled to a toilet hole 28 within the seat portion 26, and a throat end coupled to a holding tank 210. In a particular embodiment, the toiled bowl 200 is a latex toilet bowl as further described with respect to FIGS. 6A and 6B. The toilet bowl 200 is configured to receive waste material, such as human waste, and deposit the waste material within the holding tank 210. The holding tank 210 may then be removed by the user or another person and the contents disposed of at a later time. In at least one embodiment, the portable compact toilet enclosure 2 may further be provided with a water bladder containing water to facilitate flushing of waste material from the toilet bowl 200 into the holding tank 210. In at least one embodiment, the portable compact toilet enclosure 2 may be provided with a pump to facilitate movement of the water from the water bladder to the toilet bowl 200. In a particular embodiment, the pump includes an electric pump powered by a battery, solar power, a DC power connection, an AC power connection, or any other power source. In still other embodiments, the pump may include a manually operated pump.

The portable compact toilet enclosure 2 further includes a right pull handle 240 affixed to the right side frame portion 24 and a left pull handle 250 affixed to the left side frame portion 22 of the side frame 20. The left pull handle 250 and the right pull handle 240 facilitate pulling of the side frame 20 away from the main frame 10 into an extended position in the open configuration as will be further described with respect to FIGS. 2A and 2B.

FIG. 1C illustrates a cross-sectional right side view of the embodiment of the portable compact toilet enclosure 2 in the closed configuration in which the portable compact toilet enclosure 2 is attached to a vehicle 92. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1C, the portable compact toilet enclosure 2 may further include a mounting hitch 90 attached to the main frame 10 to facilitate attachment of the portable compact toilet enclosure 2 to a vehicle 92. Such an arrangement allows transportation of the portable compact toilet enclosure 2 to a desired location. At the desired location, the portable compact toilet enclosure 2 may either remain attached to the vehicle 92 or detached and placed on a surface for use.

Examples of vehicles 92 to which the portable compact toilet enclosure 2 may affixed for transport to a desired location include a sports utility vehicle, a service truck, and a mail truck. In another example, the portable compact toilet enclosure 2 may be either affixed to or rested on a trailer for transport to a desired location. It should be understood that the examples given of vehicles 92 that may be used to transport the portable compact toilet enclosure 2 are given as examples only and that other vehicles or methods of transport may be used to transport the portable compact toilet enclosure 2 to a desired location.

FIGS. 2A & 2B illustrate an embodiment of the portable compact toilet enclosure 2 in an open configuration. FIG. 2A illustrates a right side view of the embodiment of the portable compact toilet enclosure 2 in the open configuration. FIG. 2B illustrates a front view of the portable compact toilet enclosure 2 in the open configuration. In order to place the portable compact toilet enclosure 2 in the open configuration, the lid 40 is first rotated into a raised position as illustrated in FIG. 2A. The side frame 20 is then pulled into an extended position such that a substantial portion of the side frame 20 is slides away from the main frame 10 while still remaining attached thereto to form an extended enclosed space of sufficient size so as to accommodate a user. The hood portion 30 is then rotated into an upright position such that the front wall of the hood portion 30 is substantially parallel with the front face portion 32 of the side frame 20. In addition, the upper door 110 is rotated into an upright position and locked into engagement with the lower door 100 such that the upper door 110 and lower door 100 may be opened and closed substantially simultaneously. In a particular embodiment, the upper door 110 is in engagement with the hood portion 30 such that raising of the hood portion 30 into the upright position simultaneously raises the upper door 110 into the upright position. The portable compact toilet enclosure 2 may further include a right gas shock 160 coupled between the right wall of the hood portion 30 and the right side portion 16 of the main frame 10, and a left gas shock 170 coupled between a left wall of the hood portion 30 and the left side portion 14 of the main frame 10. The right gas shock 160 and the left gas shock 170 facilitate raising and maintaining of the hood portion 30 in the upright position. In a particular embodiment, the right gas shock 160 and the left gas shock 170 are arranged such that extending of the side frame 20 into the extended position raises the hood portion 30 into the upright position and concurrently raises the upper door 110 into the upright position.

Next, the floor pan 50 is rotated into an extended position such that it extends below the side frame 20 to provide additionally standing room for the user. With the portable compact toilet enclosure 2 in the opened configuration, a user may grasp the door handle 140 to open the lower door 100 and upper door 110 simultaneously and step into the floor pan 50. The hood portion 30 and floor pan 50 allow the user to comfortably stand within the portable compact toilet enclosure 2. The user may then close the lower door 100 and upper door 110 and either stand within the portable compact toilet enclosure 2 or be seated upon the seat portion 26 in order to use the toilet bowl 200. When it is no longer desired to maintain the portable compact toilet enclosure 2 in the open configuration and it is desired to place the portable compact toilet enclosure 2 in the closed configuration, the floor pan 50 is rotated upwards above the bottom of the side frame 20, the upper door 110 is uncoupled from the lower door 100, the hood 30 and upper door 110 are folded downward into the main frame 10 into the closed position, and the side frame 20 is pushed back within the main frame 10. The lid 40 is then lowered downward to cover the upper portions of the main frame 10 and the front face portion 32 to protect the interior of the portable compact toilet enclosure 2.

FIG. 2C illustrates a cross-sectional right side view of the portable compact toilet enclosure 2 attached to the vehicle 92 while in the open configuration. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2C, the portable compact toilet enclosure 2 is in the open configuration and attached to the vehicle 92 via the mounting hitch 90. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2C, the portable compact toilet enclosure 2 may be used in the open configuration by the user while it is still attached to the vehicle 92

FIG. 3 illustrates a front perspective view of another embodiment of a portable compact toilet enclosure 4 in a closed configuration. FIG. 4 illustrates a right side view of the portable compact toilet enclosure 4 of FIG. 3 in an open configuration. FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of the portable compact toilet enclosure 4 of FIG. 3 in the open configuration. The portable compact toilet enclosure 4 is similar to that of the portable compact toilet enclosure 2 of FIGS. 1A-2C except that the portable compact toilet enclosure 4 further includes a hood hinge handle 180 coupled to the hood hinge 80 to facilitate rotation of the hood portion 30 into the upright position, and a pan hinge handle 190 coupled to the floor pan hinge 60 to facilitate extending of the floor pan 50 into the extended position. In order to raise the lid 40, the user may grasp the hood hinge handle 180 and rotate it to thereby rotate the lid 40 into the upright position. In order to lower the floor pan 50 into the extended position, the user may grasp the pan hinge handle 190 and rotate it to thereby rotate the floor pan 50 into the extended position.

FIGS. 6A-6B illustrate another embodiment of the main frame 10 of the portable compact toilet enclosure 2. FIG. 6A illustrates a front perspective view of the main frame 10. FIG. 6B illustrates a top view of the main frame 10. The main frame 10 includes a back portion 12, a left side portion 14, a right side portion 16, a bottom portion 18 and a seat portion 26 having a toilet hole 28 therein. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6A-6B, the main frame 10 further includes a solar panel 300 mounted on an exterior surface thereof, and a vent hole 310 extending from the exterior to the interior of the main frame 10. In various embodiments, the solar panel 300 may be used to generate electricity to power various device contained within the portable compact toilet enclosure 2 such as a water pump to supply water and lights to illuminate the interior of the portable compact toilet enclosure 2. In various embodiments, the vent hole 310 may be used to provide ventilation and circulation of outside air to the portable compact toilet enclosure 2. In a particular embodiment, the vent hole 310 may be further provided with an exhaust fan to facilitate venting of the portable compact toilet enclosure 2.

FIGS. 7A-7B illustrate an embodiment of a shower pan 320 for use with another embodiment of the portable compact toilet enclosure 2. The shower pan 320 may be used to replace a portion of the bottom portion 18 of the main frame 10 of particular embodiments of the portable compact toilet enclosure 2 which may include a shower as further described herein. The shower pan 320 includes a recessed portion to allow a user to stand within the portable compact toilet enclosure 2 while showering.

FIGS. 8A-8B illustrate an embodiment of a side panel 330 for use with another embodiment of the portable compact toilet enclosure 2. FIG. 8A illustrates a side perspective view of the side panel 330. FIG. 8B illustrates a front perspective view of the side panel 330. In various embodiments, the side panel 330 is attached to the right side portion 16 and includes a recessed portion open to the interior of the portable compact toilet enclosure 2 to facilitate the placement of various components within the interior of the portable compact toilet enclosure 2. It should be understood that a similar side panel 330 may be attached to the left side portion 14. The recessed portion of the side panel 330 allows the placement of components and fixtures such as a shelf, a paper towel or other product dispenser, first aid kit, fire extinguisher, trash receptacle, sink, urinal or a water bladder as further described herein.

FIGS. 9A-9B illustrate an embodiment of a lower door 100 and upper door 110 for use with the portable compact toilet enclosure 2. FIG. 9A illustrates a front perspective view of the lower door 100 and upper door 110. FIG. 9B illustrates a side view of the lower door 100 and upper door 110. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 9A-9B, door coupling hinges 340 hingedly attach the lower door 100 to the upper door 110. A door latch 350 is affixed between the lower door 100 and the upper door 110. Upon engagement of the door latch 350, the upper door 110 is held in an upright position with respect to and coupled with the lower door 100. When it is desired to fold the upper door 110 into the closed configuration of the portable compact toilet enclosure 2, the latch 350 is unlatched allowing the upper door 110 to be rotated freely into a position substantially 90 degrees with respect to the lower door 100. An upper door hinge 120 and lower door hinge 130 hingedly couple the lower door 100 and upper door 110 to the left side frame portion 22. The lower door 100 may further include an exhaust fan 360 configured to exhaust air from the portable compact toilet enclosure 2.

FIGS. 10A-10B illustrate an embodiment of the hood portion 30 of the portable compact toilet enclosure 2. FIG. 10A illustrates a side view of the hood portion 30. FIG. 10B illustrates a front view of the hood portion 30. As illustrated in FIG. 10A, the hood portion 30 includes the hood hinge 80 affixed to a bottom portion of the hood portion 30. As can be seen in FIGS. 10A-10B, the hood portion 30 forms an enclosure to accommodate the head and upper torso of a user within the portable compact toilet enclosure 2. In the particular embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 10A-10B, the front left and right faces of the hood portion 30 may be angled inwardly.

An advantage offered by at least one embodiment of the portable compact toilet enclosure 2 is that it is travel-sized and designed to move over roads and all terrains as compared to some existing systems in which size and waste containment issues prevent those systems from being truly portable. Some prior systems are mobile, but limited to transportation to a site only where further assembly is required to set up a toilet for use. Another advantage offered by at least one embodiment of the portable compact toilet enclosure 2 is that the holding tank 210 used to contain waste is removable and may be replaced with a fresh tank so that no pump truck is needed to service the portable compact toilet enclosure 2. Another advantage offered by at least one embodiment of the portable compact toilet enclosure 2 is that an option is provided to use fresh water to rinse and wash any waste or dirt into the holding tank 210 as well as seal the latex toilet bowl 200 from any odors and leaks. Still another advantage offered by at least one embodiment of the portable compact toilet enclosure 2 is that it can be attached to a vehicle, trailer or utility truck for easy portability. Still another advantage offered by at least one embodiment of the portable compact toilet enclosure 2 is that it may be easily opened by a user to provide a rigid enclosure for containing the user therein.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure that this portable compact toilet enclosure provides a toilet enclosure which includes a main frame and a side frame in which the side frame slides apart from the main frame enabling a hood to fold upward to form an enclosure for a toilet. It should be understood that the drawings and detailed description herein are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive manner, and are not intended to be limiting to the particular forms and examples disclosed. On the contrary, included are any further modifications, changes, rearrangements, substitutions, alternatives, design choices, and embodiments apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope hereof, as defined by the following claims. Thus, it is intended that the following claims be interpreted to embrace all such further modifications, changes, rearrangements, substitutions, alternatives, design choices, and embodiments.

Claims

1. A portable compact toilet enclosure including:

a main frame having an interior portion;
a side frame slidably coupled to the main frame, the side frame having a left side frame portion and a right side frame portion, the side frame configured such that in a closed configuration of the portable compact toilet enclosure, the left side frame portion and the right side frame portion are substantially disposed within the interior portion of the main frame, and in an open configuration of the portable compact toilet enclosure, the left side frame portion and the right side frame portion are positioned away from the main frame such that substantial portions of the left side frame portion and the right side frame portion are disposed outside of the interior portion of the main frame; and
a hood portion hingedly attached to the side frame, the hood portion configured such that in the closed configuration the hood portion is substantially disposed within the interior portion of the main frame, and in the open configuration the hood portion is rotated in an upright position and substantially disposed outside of the interior portion of the main frame.

2. The portable compact toilet enclosure of claim 1, wherein the main frame comprises:

a back portion;
a left side portion;
a right side portion; and
a bottom portion.

3. The portable compact toilet enclosure of claim 2 further comprising:

a floor pan hingedly attached proximate to the bottom portion of the main frame.

4. The portable compact toilet enclosure of claim 3, wherein in the open configuration of the portable compact toilet enclosure the floor pan is rotated into an extended position such that the floor pan extends below the side frame to provide additionally standing room for a user, and in the closed configuration of the portable compact toilet enclosure, the floor pan is rotated upwards above the bottom portion of the side frame.

5. The portable compact toilet enclosure of claim 1 further comprising:

an upper door portion hingedly attached to the side frame by an upper door hinge;
a lower door portion hingedly attached to the side frame by a lower door hinge; and
wherein the upper door portion is hingedly coupled to the lower door portion.

6. The portable compact toilet enclosure of claim 5, wherein in the closed configuration of the portable compact toilet enclosure, the upper door portion is pivoted into a position such that a face of the lower door portion is substantially perpendicular to a face of the upper door portion, and the upper door portion is substantially disposed within the interior portion of the portable compact toilet enclosure.

7. The portable compact toilet enclosure of claim 5, wherein in the open configuration of the portable compact toilet enclosure, the upper door portion is locked in engagement with and held in an upright position with respect to the lower door portion.

8. The portable compact toilet enclosure of claim 1, wherein the main frame further includes a seat portion extending from a left side portion to a right side portion, the seat portion including a toilet hole therein.

9. The portable compact toilet enclosure of claim 1 further comprising a mounting hitch attached to the main frame to facilitate attachment of the portable compact toilet enclosure to a vehicle.

10. The portable compact toilet enclosure of claim 1, wherein the side panel includes a recessed portion open to the interior of the portable compact toilet enclosure.

11. A portable compact toilet enclosure including:

a main frame having an interior portion;
a side frame slidably coupled to the main frame, the side frame configured such that in a closed configuration of the portable compact toilet enclosure, the side frame portion is substantially disposed within the interior portion of the main frame, and in an open configuration of the portable compact toilet enclosure, the side frame is positioned away from the main frame such that substantial portions of the side frame portion are disposed outside of the interior portion of the main frame; and
a hood portion hingedly attached to the side frame, the hood portion configured such that in the closed configuration the hood portion is substantially disposed within the interior portion of the main frame, and in the open configuration the hood portion is rotated in an upright position and substantially disposed outside of the interior portion of the main frame.

12. The portable compact toilet enclosure of claim 11 further comprising:

a floor pan hingedly attached proximate to a bottom portion of the main frame.

13. The portable compact toilet enclosure of claim 12, wherein in the open configuration of the portable compact toilet enclosure the floor pan is rotated into an extended position such that the floor pan extends below the side frame to provide additionally standing room for a user, and in the closed configuration of the portable compact toilet enclosure, the floor pan is rotated upwards above the bottom portion of the side frame.

14. The portable compact toilet enclosure of claim 11, wherein the main frame comprises:

a back portion;
a left side portion;
a right side portion; and
a bottom portion.

15. The portable compact toilet enclosure of claim 11 further comprising:

an upper door portion hingedly attached to the side frame by an upper door hinge;
a lower door portion hingedly attached to the side frame by a lower door hinge; and
wherein the upper door portion is hingedly coupled to the lower door portion.

16. The portable compact toilet enclosure of claim 15, wherein in the closed configuration of the portable compact toilet enclosure, the upper door portion is pivoted into a position such that a face of the lower door portion is substantially perpendicular to a face of the upper door portion, and the upper door portion is substantially disposed within the interior portion of the portable compact toilet enclosure.

17. The portable compact toilet enclosure of claim 15, wherein in the open configuration of the portable compact toilet enclosure, the upper door portion is locked in engagement with and held in an upright position with respect to the lower door portion.

18. The portable compact toilet enclosure of claim 11, wherein the main frame further includes a seat portion extending from a left side portion to a right side portion, the seat portion including a toilet hole therein.

19. The portable compact toilet enclosure of claim 11, further comprising a mounting hitch attached to the main frame to facilitate attachment of the portable compact toilet enclosure to a vehicle.

20. The portable compact toilet enclosure of claim 11, wherein the side panel includes a recessed portion open to the interior of the portable compact toilet enclosure.

Patent History
Publication number: 20120000015
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 29, 2011
Publication Date: Jan 5, 2012
Inventors: Lance MCCLENDON (LAKE DALLAS, TX), Jason GRAHAM (DALLAS, TX)
Application Number: 13/172,538
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Enclosed Receptacle Type (4/476)
International Classification: A47K 11/04 (20060101);