PORTABLE TOILET, STOOL AND TABLE

Abstract

A combination toilet and stool/table is disclosed. This structure includes opposing and parallel front and rear walls, along with opposing and parallel side walls. The side walls are capable of folding so that the structure can be portable. A foldable seat is attached to the rear wall and is secured to the structure by securing tabs located along the top edge of the side walls, along with a front safety-lock tab securing the front edge of the foldable seat with the front wall. A bag for receiving waste, garbage and other items can be placed within the interior of the structure. Access to the bag is through an opening in the foldable seat. The foldable seat includes a lid that can be moved between an open position and a closed position.

Description

REFERENCE TO PENDING APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/205,682 filed Sep. 5, 2008.

REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX

This application is not referenced in any microfiche appendix.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally directed toward a lightweight toilet that can also serve as a stool and/or table. More specifically, the present invention is directed toward a disposable, collapsible toilet, which can also be used as a stool and/or table.

Various designs for portable toilets are currently being used while traveling, camping, hiking, hunting or participating in other activities where conventional toilets are not readily accessible. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,199,826, shows a portable toilet combination. This device shows a structure shaped like a suitcase. The device has various compartments for storing accessories and a central compartment for waste reception. While the device may be portable in some fashion, it appears to be relatively large and bulky. Consequently, it would be difficult to transport easily, especially for backpackers and the like. Also, it appears as if the device would require an inordinately large amount of storage space when not in use. Thus, it would adversely affect the storage space otherwise available to a traveler in a vehicle.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,524,301 shows a portable toilet that includes shows two separate components that may be folded to decrease the overall bulk of the device. However, the device does not appear to provide a suitable seating structure when not in use as a toilet. Also, the device is not a unitary structure and the disparate top could be easily lost or misplaced, causing the device to malfunction. U.S. Pat. No. 6,047,414 discloses a portable toilet that includes foldable sides and interlocking seat. However, the seat is not secured to the foldable sides making it prone to collapse.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,801,991 shows a portable self-contained toilet that is reasonably sized compared to conventional toilets but still entirely too bulky. This device also uses fluids to flush its bowl. As a consequence, the device would be weighty as well. The device also fails to provide a comfortable seating structure when not in use as a toilet. U.S. Pat. No. Des. 358,459, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,526,537 and 5,586,344 show various portable toilet structures. However, none of these devices appear to be compact. They also fail to provide a comfortable seating structure when not in use as a toilet.

Thus, there exists a need in the art for an improved portable toilet in combination with a stool and/or table and toilet.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention satisfies the needs discussed above. As set out above, the present invention is generally directed toward a lightweight toilet that can also serve as a stool and/or table. More specifically, the present invention is directed toward a disposable, collapsible toilet, which can also be used as a stool and/or table.

One aspect of the inventive toilet/seat/table includes a structure being made from lightweight, corrugated cardboard, resulting in a structure that is simple to assemble and is capable of supporting the weight of its user. Further, this aspect is disposable making is easy to deposit in an appropriate waste receptacle and/or incinerated in a campfire and/or buried beneath the surface for disposal after use.

The cardboard is cut to include a series of preformed folds such that the cardboard can be arranged to form four walls defining an interior. Additionally, the cardboard includes two top panels that create the top portion that can be used as a seat or table top.

The four walls include a solid front wall, a solid rear wall and two collapsible side walls. The two collapsible side walls include having perforations to enable the walls to collapse inward toward the interior of the structure.

The top panels include a support panel and a seat panel. The support panel includes an opening so that waste, garbage and other items may be placed within the interior of the structure. The seat panel is foldably connected to the support panel and also includes hinged panel that when in an open position creates an opening that is aligned with the opening of the support panel. This hinged panel allows the user to use the structure as a table or stool when not being used as a toilet.

Securing tabs are located along various edges of the side walls and support panel fit within openings within the front wall and support panel to secure the structure. Further, a bag for collecting waste, garbage and other items can be placed within the interior of the structure and held in place by being secured to the securing tabs.

Upon reading the above description, various alternative embodiments will become obvious to those skilled in the art. These embodiments are to be considered within the scope and spirit of the subject invention, which is only to be limited by the claims which follow and their equivalents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIG. 1 with the top panels open.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the present invention as shown in FIG. 1 with the support panel in place and the seat panel open.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIG. 1 before folding into the storage configuration.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of an additional embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIG. 5 with the top panels open.

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of the present invention as shown in FIG. 5 with the support panel in place and the seat panel open.

FIG. 8 is a front view of the embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIG. 5 before folding into the storage configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The attached drawing demonstrates an embodiment of the present invention. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in a variety of ways. It is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, an embodiment 10 of the present invention is shown. Embodiment 10 comprises a folding structure 11 having front wall 12 and a rear wall 14. These walls 12, 14 are opposing and parallel from each other. Two side walls 16 connect front and rear walls 12, 14, forming an interior 20 having an open top and bottom. Each of the side walls 16 have a fold 22 that enables each side wall 16 to be capable of angling inwardly.

Located along the top edge of each side wall 16 are one or more securing tabs 18. Further a securing tab 24 is located along the top edge of front wall 12. Rear wall 14 is constructed from an interior panel 14A and an exterior panel 14B. Adhesive 50 is used to connect these panels together in order to create folding structure 11.

A support panel 30 is hingedly connected to the top edge of said rear wall 14. Support panel has a plurality of openings 32 that are configured to receive support tabs 18, 24. By securing support panel 30 to the top edge of the side walls 16 and front wall 12, the structure is provided with sufficient strength to support the weight of the user and movement of that user during use. Support panel 30 also includes an opening 34 to allow access into the interior 20 of the structure 11.

A seat panel 40 is foldably connected to the support panel 30. Seat panel also has an opening 44 configured to receive securing tab 24 located along the top edge of front wall 12. This allows for seat panel 40 to be secure during use. Seat panel 40 includes a hinged lid 42. When lid 42 is in the open position, see FIG. 1, an opening 46 is created that is aligned with the opening 34 of the support panel 30.

In this embodiment, a bag 21 can be placed within the interior 20 of structure 11 to receive waste, garbage and other items. This bag can be secured in place by being adapted to be secured over the securing tabs 18, 24.

In operation, the user folds structure 11 such that interior panel 14A and an exterior panel 14B overlap. The adhesive 50 is used to secure the two panels together, see FIG. 2. Support panel 30 is then placed over the top edges of front wall 12 and the side walls 16 wherein it is secured in place by engaging securing tabs 18, 24 with openings 32, see FIG. 3. Seat panel 40 is folded over support panel 30, and is secured in place by engaging securing tab 24 with opening 44. Lid 42 can be opened providing access to interior 20 when being used as a toilet or can be closed when used as a stool or table.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5-8, a second embodiment 100 of the present invention is shown. Embodiment 100 comprises a folding structure 101 having front wall 102 and a rear wall 104. These walls 102, 104 are opposing and parallel from each other. Two side walls 106 connect front and rear walls 102, 104, forming an interior 200 having an open top 202 and bottom 204. Each of the side walls 106 have a fold 206 that enables each side wall 106 to be capable of angling inwardly. Rear wall 104 is constructed from an interior panel 104A and an exterior panel 104B.

Folding structure 101 further has a seat panel 130 having a front edge 132 and a back edge 134. Back edge 134 of seat panel 130 is hingedly connected to the top edge 208 of exterior panel 104B by way of two hinge points 136. The space 137 between two hinge points 136 and an indention 139 located along the top edge 210 of interior panel 104A creates rear opening 138. Further, seat panel 130 also includes an opening 140 to allow access into the interior 200 of the structure 101.

A support panel 150 having a front edge 152 and a rear edge 154 is foldably connected to seat panel 130 such that support panel 150 folds under seat panel 130 and rests upon the top edge of front wall 102, rear wall 104 and the two side walls 106. Extending away from rear edge 154 is a rear support tab 156. Rear support tab 156 is configured to set into rear opening 138 locking interior panel 104A with exterior panel 104B to form rear wall 104, along with locking rear edge 154 to rear wall 104. The use of rear support tab 156 allows folding structure 101 to become assembled without the need of belts, adhesives or tabs extending from the rear walls segments. Accordingly, rear support tab 156 allows for more simple and effective securing of folding structure 101.

Extending away from front edge 132 of seat panel 130 is a front safety lock tab 142. Front safety lock tab 142 is adapted to fit within a front safety lock opening 103 located within front wall 102 securing seat panel 130 to front wall 102. A front edge notch 158 located along front edge 152 of support panel 150 is configured to allow front safety lock tab 142 to extend therethrough further securing support panel 150 to front wall 102.

Extending away from top edge 107 of each side wall 106 are one or more side wall locking tabs 108. Support panel 150 has a plurality of openings 162 that are configured to receive side wall locking tabs 108. By securing support panel 150 to the top edge 107 of the side walls 106, folding structure 101 is provided with sufficient strength to support the weight of the user and movement of that user during use.

In an alternative embodiment, seat panel 130 includes a hinged lid 144. Hinged lid 144 can include a fingerhole 146 to allow the raising and lowering of hinged lid 144 along with the picking up of folding structure 101.

In operation, a bag (not shown) can be placed within the interior 200 of folding structure 101 to receive waste, garbage and other items. This bag can be secured in place by being adapted to be secured over side wall locking tables 108. Further, hinged lid 144 can be placed in the down position allowing folding structure 101 to be used as a seat or a table.

While the invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is manifest that many changes may be made in the details of construction and the arrangement of components without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. It is understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments set forth herein for purposes of exemplification.

Claims

1. A combined portable toilet and stool comprising:

a folding structure including opposing and parallel front and rear walls, said front and rear walls connected by opposing and parallel side walls to define an interior with open bottom and top, each of said side walls having folds to enable said side walls to angle inwardly near their middle and having side wall locking tabs located along the top edge of each side wall, said front wall having a front safety lock opening, said rear wall includes an interior panel having an indention located along its top edge and an exterior panel having two hinge points having a space therebetween, wherein said space is configured to be aligned with said indention to create a rear opening;

a seat panel hingely connected to said two hinge points said support panel having an opening adapted to allow access to said interior;

a support panel is foldably connected to said seat panel, said support panel having a front edge, a rear edge and a support panel opening aligned with the opening of said seat panel, said support panel having a rear support tab extending away from said rear edge, said rear support tab configured to fit within said rear opening thereby securing said interior panel with said exterior panel and securing said support panel with said rear wall, said support panel having openings adapted to receive said side wall locking tabs along the top edge of said side walls, said support panel having front edge notch located along said front edge; and

a front safety lock tab extending away from said front edge of seat panel, said front safety lock tab being adapted to fit within said front safety lock opening located within said front wall and through said front edge notch located along said front edge of said support panel.

2. The combined portable toilet and stool as set out in claim 1 wherein said seat panel further comprising having a hinged lid.

3. The combined portable toilet and stool as set out in claim 2 wherein said hinged lid includes a fingerhole.

4. The combined portable toilet and stool as set out in claim 1 further comprises a bag adapted for being located within said interior of said structure and being adapted for being secured to said side wall locking tabs of said side walls.