Stabilizer system for free-standing portable structure

Abstract

A stabilizer system facilitates assembly of portable toilets at any location without need for attachment of the portable toilet to rigid stationary. Two square or rectangular tubular runners, permanently attached to the portable toilet, provide structural stability. The two runners have apertures of substantially equal size. A master stake having an aperture at its proximal end is pounded into the ground so that the aperture extends above ground. A control arm is inserted through apertures of the two runners and the master stake aperture, such that the master stake aperture is set between the two runner apertures. The fulcrum denial feature provided by the master stake and control arm enhance structural stability of the unit. The portable toilet is secured to the ground without front to back or side-to-side movement or tipping due to denial of leverage caused by the incorporation of the master stake and control arm.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This patent application claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/402,637, filed Sep. 3, 2010 for “Stabilizer system for portable structure”, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference thereto.

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a free standing securing system and more particularly to a securing system that stabilizes temporary structures such as portable toilets to prevent them from being tipped over during use.

2. Description of the Prior Art

There are various types of small, portable buildings in use today. One particularly common type of temporary, portable building is the portable toilet. Portable toilets are transported and placed at locations such as construction sites, agricultural fields, concert venues, fairgrounds, athletic events, marathon races and other events where a large number of people congregate for a limited time period and where permanent toilet facilities are not available which will accommodate the increased number of people.

The portable toilet is generally a structure which is approximately 4×4 feet and about 7 feet high. The structure may be made from metal or plastic and includes toilet facilities with a holding tank for waste in which chemicals are placed to treat the waste and reduce odors. Since buildings of this type are small and usually of lightweight construction, they are often subject to vandalism and the vagaries of the weather, which can cause not only damage to the unit, but also can cause spillage of the waste and chemicals from the holding tank. When such a structure is upended either by vandals, pranksters or by weather conditions such as high winds, the result is an unsightly mess, which can present serious, documented environmental hazards for both the portable structure, as well as the area affected by the spill.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,437,854 to O'Reilly discloses a stabilizer system for portable structures. The stabilizer system has a U-shaped anchor, the legs of which are secured to two runners on the base of the building by means of an elongate rod. The U-shaped anchor extends from the runners of the building and at the time of installation may be placed about a permanent upright member such as a utility pole, or may be ground staked via holes in the member provided for this purpose. The use of such attachments for securing portable toilets to posts and other fixed structures is governed by multiple local laws and may, in some instances, not be permitted. Moreover, the stabilizer system requires either an upright structure or a staking system for the attachment to a portable toilet and cannot be installed when the appropriate utility posts are not readily available.

Based on the foregoing circumstances whereby an upright unit such as a utility pole is not available, there exists a need for a free standing, stabilizer or anchor system which will maintain portable buildings in an upright position, preventing or deterring vandalism and securing the unit in an upright position even when subject to high winds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an easy to assemble free standing securing structure for portable toilets. The portable toilet has two wooden or plastic substantially rectangular runners attached at either side of the base of the portable toilet. The runners may be composed of wood, steel or plastic and have a typical dimension of 4″×4″. Due to the structural rigidity of this arrangement, the portable toilet may be slid on the ground to any desired location with the portable toilet riding on a face of the runners. Each of the runners has an aperture fitted with a metallic insert such a bearing bronze that has a 1″ aperture to receive a control arm used to secure the portable toilet at a given location on the ground.

A master stake, typically 28 inches long, is essentially a flat tapered or cylindrical tapered member with a pointed tip that is pounded into the ground. The end of the master stake distal from the pointed end is an aperture of typically 1.25″. During use, the master stake is pounded into the ground using a sledgehammer or other implements. The portable toilet is next slid over the master stake with the master stake present between the two runners of the portable toilet. With this arrangement, the 1.25″ aperture of the master stake is brought into alignment with the two 1″ apertures provided in the two runners at the bottom of the portable toilet.

A 1″ diameter control arm is next inserted from one end of the rectangular runner through the 1″ aperture, passing through the 1.25″ aperture of the master stake; and is further passed through the 1″ aperture of the second rectangular runner. Due to the close fit of the control arm with the aperture provided in the two square or rectangular runners, the portable toilet is securely attached to the ground and is free from tipping due to the denial of leverage caused by the incorporation of the master stake.

Normally, insertion of the control arm through the apertures in the two rectangular beams and the master stake is done ‘blind’. Accordingly, this operation could be challenging since it requires the pounding of the master stake to a depth such that the aperture in the master stake is available for the insertion of the control arm. Advantageously, the 1.25″ aperture in the master stake facilitates easy insertion of the 1″ diameter control arm. In an alternate embodiment, the bottom floor of the portable toilet may be made removable so that this control arm insertion operation is readily accomplished.

The free standing portable toilet secured in this manner rests on the ground on the two square or rectangular runners provided at the bottom of the portable toilet. The control arm has a close fit and the weight of the portable toilet prevents lateral side to side or front to back movement of the portable toilet and the securement of the portable toilet is accomplished without the need for stability assistance from close-by permanent structures. This free standing system, which utilizes a specially configured ground stake in place of a utility or other pole, is referred to by the trade name Johnny B. Straight.

Briefly stated, the invention provides a securing means for free standing portable toilets that permits their placement at any location without the need attach them to nearby securement structures such as mailboxes and telephone poles. The base of the portable toilet is provided with two square or rectangular plastic, wood or steel runners, each of which has a central rectangular aperture running therethrough. The portable toilet is permanently secured to the two runners, one at each end, so that the portable toilet may be slid on the ground easily, riding on the flat surface of the two square or rectangular runners. The two runners have apertures drilled in at identical locations that accept a metallic bushings such as those made from bronze. The bushings have an aperture of 1″ clearance fit. The installer of the portable toilet selects a location to secure the free standing portable toilet. A master stake, typically 28″ long has a tapered structure with a pointed end. A 1.25″ aperture (hole) is provided at the distal end of the master stake from the pointed end. The master stake is pounded into the ground at the desired location with the 1.25″ aperture extending above the ground. Next, the portable toilet with the two plastic, wood or steel runners at the bottom is slid over the master stake that has been inserted in the ground, aligning the apertures in the runners with the aperture in the master stake. Now, a 1″ control arm, which is a steel rod, is inserted through the first aperture in the square or rectangular runner at the bottom of the portable toilet, passing through the 1.25″ aperture of the master stake and further passing through the 1″ aperture of the second rectangular runner. At this point, the free standing portable toilet is securely attached to the ground with the runners resting firmly on the ground. The toilet cannot be readily displaced side-to-side or front-to-back due the collective presence of the master stake that connects through the control arm to the runners at the bottom of the portable toilet. Advantageously, the fulcrum denial feature provided by the master stake and control arm enhances structural stability of the unit. The portable toilet is secured to the ground without front to back or side-to-side movement or tipping due to denial of leverage caused by the incorporation of the master stake and control arm.

In another aspect, two, open U shaped ground units, each of the same length as the runners may be staked into the ground. The interior of the U shaped ground units is configured such as to receive each previously described runner separately and without hitting the bolt heads that secure the U shaped unit to the ground. Each unit rides within two channeled receptor edges approximately one inch above the ground. A control rod may be run between both runners for security and be locked in place to keep the runners from being removed from the U shaped ground unit.

Significant advantages are realized by practice of the present invention. In a preferred embodiment, the method of the present invention comprises:

• • 1) A portable toilet having two square or rectangular plastic, wood or steel runners attached at the bottom, one at each end of the portable toilet;
  • 2) The portable toilet being structurally strong and capable of being slid on the ground, riding on the flat external surfaces of the two runners at the bottom of the portable toilet;
  • 3) Each of the two runners having a 1″ aperture provided in a metallic insert at equal distance from the end;
  • 4) A master stake, typically 28″ in length, having a pointed sharp end and a 1.25″ aperture at the end that is distal from the pointed end;
  • 5) The master stake being pounded into ground to a preselected depth, with the 1.25″ aperture extending above the ground;
  • 6) A portable toilet having two runners at the bottom slid over the pounded master stake so that the stake is aligned with its aperture and apertures of said square or rectangular runners; and
  • 7) A 1″ diameter control arm inserted through the 1″ aperture of first runner, passing through the 1.25″ aperture of the master stake and extending through the 1″ aperture of the second runner;
    whereby a user can easily secure the free standing portable toilet at any desired location and the free standing portable toilet resists movement side-to-side or front-to-back without having to be further stabilized by attachment to a permanent structure such as a telephone pole, mailbox, post or the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The invention will be more fully understood and further advantages will become apparent when reference is had to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention and the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the free standing portable toilet of the subject invention with the two runners present at the bottom;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the portable toilet shown in FIG. 1, showing constructional details of the assembly; FIG. 3a-3f are side elevation views illustrating various arrangements of the master stake.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an easy to assemble structure for securing a free standing portable toilet to the ground at any desired location without the need for attachment of the portable toilet to permanent fixtures such as a telephone pole, mailbox, post or the like. The portable toilet is provided with permanently attached two plastic, wood or steel square or rectangular runners at the bottom, one at each edge. These typically 4″×4″ plastic, wood or steel runners have a central hollow portion that extends from end to end. The portable toilet made from metal or plastic is permanently secured to the two runners and the two runners provide structural rigidity for the portable toilet so that it can be easily displaced on the ground with the flat face of the two runners resting on the ground.

FIG. 1 illustrates at 100 the portable toilet 101 attached to the ground (not shown). The portable toilet 101 has two runners 102 one on each end as shown. These runners are square or rectangular tubular plastic, wood or steel forms that are permanently attached to the portable toilet. The runners provide structural rigidity to the portable toilet and can be readily slid over the ground with the bottom faces of the plastic, wood or steel runners rubbing against the ground. The two runners have an aperture at 103 and 104. This aperture is typically 1″ in diameter. A control arm having typically 1″ diameter is inserted through the aperture during placement of the free standing portable toilet at the desired location. Prior to insertion of the control arm, a master stake 105 is pounded into the ground at the desired location of the portable toilet. The darkened portion shown indicates the depth to which the stake is inserted into the ground. The master stake is typically 28 inches long with a pointed tip that can penetrate the ground easily. The distal end of the master stake has an aperture 106 slightly larger than the diameter of the control arm, typically 1.25″. The aperture of the master stake extends above the ground. During assembly of the portable toilet, the portable toilet with the two runners on the bottom surface is dragged over the pounded master stake. The apertures in the runners are aligned with the aperture of the master stake so that the control arm 107 may be inserted to secure the portable toilet to the ground. With this arrangement, the fulcrum denial feature provided by the master stake and control arm enhances structural stability of the unit. The portable toilet is secured to the ground and strongly resists front-to-back or side-to-side movement or tipping due to denial of leverage caused by the incorporation of the master stake and control arm.

FIG. 2 illustrates at 200 the constructional details of the portable toilet securement system. The portable toilet 101 is shown in dotted lines for clarity. The runners 102 are shown at the bottom of the portable toilet and has an aperture 103 and 104 one for each runner. These apertures are located at equal distance from the front portion of the portable toilet. The aperture may include a bronze bushing to reduce or eliminate damage to the runners provided beneath the portable toilet. The master stake 105 is shown with the depth of penetration of the master stake into the ground shown in dark coloration. The control arm 107 is shown to be inserted through the apertures 103 and 104 of the two runners and aperture 106 of the master stake.

FIGS. 3a through 3f indicate various geometries of the master stake 105. FIG. 3a shows a master stake that has a plate provided at the ground level against which the master stake rests. FIG. 3b shows a master stake for use in soft or wet soil. FIG. 3c shows a slender master stake for easy penetration of hard ground. FIG. 3d shows an alternate arrangement of a slender master stake. FIG. 3e illustrates a sharp master stake that is robust due to its larger diameter at the neck portion. Each of these embodiments of the master stake has a 1.25″ aperture distal from the pointed end.

Having thus described the invention in rather full detail, it will be understood that such detail need not be strictly adhered to, but that additional changes and modifications may suggest themselves to one skilled in the art, all falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the subjoined claims.

Claims

1) A stabilizer system for a free standing portable toilet structure, comprising:

a) a portable toilet having two substantially rectangular runners permanently attached at the bottom, one at each end, of the portable toilet;

b) said portable toilet being structurally strong and capable of being slid on the ground, riding on the flat external surface of the two runners at the bottom of the portable toilet;

c) said two runners each having an equal sized aperture provided in a metallic insert at substantially equal distance from the front end of said portable toilet;

d) a master stake having a pointed sharp end and an aperture at the end that is distal from the pointed end having a diameter slightly larger than that of the runner apertures;

e) said master stake being adapted to be pounded into ground and firmly fixed therein at a depth such that the aperture extends above the ground; and

f) a control arm inserted through the apertures of said two runners and the aperture of said master stake;

whereby said portable toilet is secured to the ground with the runners contacting the ground, and said master stake and control arm are operative to prevent side to side or front to back movement or tipping of said portable toilet, so that securement of said free standing portable toilet is accomplished without need for external posts or other forms of supports.

2) The stabilizer system for a free standing portable toilet structure as recited by claim 1, wherein said runner has a square shape.

3) The stabilizer system for a free standing portable toilet structure as recited by claim 1, wherein said runner has a rectangular shape.

4) The stabilizer system for a free standing portable toilet structure as recited by claim 1, wherein said aperture in the runner has a diameter of 1″.

5) The stabilizer system for a free standing portable toilet structure as recited by claim 1, wherein said aperture in the master stake has a diameter of 1.25″.

6) The stabilizer system for a free standing portable toilet structure as recited by claim 1, wherein the metallic insert is a bronze bushing.

7) The stabilizer system for a free standing portable toilet structure as recited by claim 1, wherein said portable toilet has a removable bottom for easy assembly during installation.