FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to portable toilet enclosures, and particularly, to collapsible toilet enclosures and methods for extending and collapsing said toilet enclosures through the use of telescoping members.
BACKGROUND Portable toilet enclosures have been utilized for many years and are well known in the art. Standard portable toilet enclosures (such as U.S. Pat. No. 4,446,585) consist of a housing unit, comprised of a large, one-piece construction, containing a toilet within an enclosed space which a user may access through a door opening in the housing. These standard toilet enclosures are convenient given that they are portable and require very little in terms of assembly.
However, the main drawback of standard portable toilet enclosures is their large size and weight, which can make delivery, portability and storage difficult. The one-piece construction and shape makes maneuverability and delivery challenging, as typical commercial delivery vehicles have limited space available. Furthermore, the average person engaged in leisure activities, such as camping or picnics, who may require a portable toilet enclosure for extended periods of outdoor activities away from available bathroom facilities, are unable to utilize standard portable toilet enclosures given their large size and weight.
Attempts have been made to overcome the drawbacks associated with the standard portable toilet enclosures. Examples include U.S. Pat. No. 5,671,487 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,974,597, each of which disclose portable toilet enclosures that are collapsible for ease of storage and delivery. However, these portable toilet enclosures suffer from a lack of structural strength, given that they consist of a privacy screen supported on a thin framed assembly. Furthermore, these enclosures require a considerable amount of manual assembly, including several different components which require connection, and in some instances, posting and securing the enclosure to the ground.
There is therefore a need in the art for an improved collapsible toilet enclosure directed at overcoming the above-referenced drawbacks, particularly one that is lightweight and collapsible for ease of storage and delivery, has few components making it easy to assemble for use and has sufficient structural strength for use in a variety of applications.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, there is provided a collapsible toilet enclosure comprising a base portion and a lid portion, the lid portion being vertically moveable relative to the base portion. The base portion comprises a floor, a toilet aperture and a holding receptacle in fluid communication with the toilet aperture, a front, a back and two opposed first and second side walls defining four corners thereof. The lid portion comprises complimentary corners to the base portion.
In one aspect, there is provided a collapsible toilet enclosure comprising: a base portion having a floor, a toilet aperture and a holding receptacle in fluid communication with the toilet aperture, the base portion having a front, a back and two opposed first and second side walls defining four corners thereof; a lid portion vertically movable relative to the base portion and having complementary corners to the base portion; and, a collapsible door structure comprising a collapsible doorframe and a collapsible door pivotally mounted in the doorframe, the doorframe connecting the lid portion to the base portion, wherein the doorframe is in an extended position when the lid portion is raised relative to the base portion and wherein the doorframe is lockable in the extended position.
In another aspect, there is provided a collapsible toilet enclosure comprising: a base portion having a floor, at least a base portion sidewall, a toilet adjacent the base sidewall and a holding receptacle in fluid communication with the toilet; a lid portion vertically movable relative to the base portion and comprising a roof; a lifting structure connecting the lid portion to the base portion and configured to raise the lid portion relative to the base portion, the lifting structure comprising at least a first telescoping member, a second telescoping member and a drive structure configured to raise the lid portion relative to the base portion.
The doorframe collapsible may comprise first and second spaced-apart vertically extending collapsible supports pivotally connected to the base portion and the lid portion, the collapsible supports comprising first and second support sections pivotally connected together so that the supports are in extended positions when the lid portion is raised relative to the base portion and in collapsed positions when the lid portion is lowered relative to the base portion. The doorframe in the extended position may be selectively unlockable, for example with a pin. The doorframe may further comprise latches for securing the lid portion in a substantially horizontal position when the doorframe is in the extended position. The door may be pivotally mounted in the door frame to permit swinging between open and closed positions. The door is preferably at the front of the collapsible toilet. The door may comprise pivotally connected first and second door sections so that the door is in an extended position when the lid portion is raised relative to the base portion. The door may be lockable in the extended position, for example with a pin.
The collapsible toilet enclosure may further comprise at least a first telescoping member and a second telescoping member connecting the lid portion to the base portion, wherein the telescoping members are in an extended position when the lid portion is raised relative to the base portion and wherein the telescoping members are lockable in the extended position. According to one embodiment, the first and second telescoping members may be lockable in the extended position. The telescoping members may be pivotally connected to non-aligned corners of the base portion and the lid portion.
In one embodiment, the collapsible toilet enclosure may comprise at least four telescoping members, with a telescoping member connected at each corner of the base portion. A first telescoping member may be provided on the first side of the base portion, and a second telescoping member may be provided on the second side of the base portion. Furthermore, each of the first and second telescoping members may cross another of the telescoping members, located on the same side of the base portion as each of the first and second telescoping members respectively.
The telescoping members on any given side of the base portion may be lockable relative to one another. The telescoping members may be lockable by way of a pin structure, and in one embodiment the telescoping members are automatically lockable in the extended position and selectively manually unlockable by user.
The collapsible toilet enclosure may further comprise a lifting structure connecting the lid portion to the base portion, the lifting structure being configured to raise the lid portion relative to the base portion. In one embodiment, the lifting structure may comprise at least a first telescoping member biased to extend. According to another embodiment, the lifting structure may comprise a drive structure configured to raise the lid portion relative to the base portion. The collapsible toilet enclosure may also comprise a latch, configured to releasably secure the lid portion to the base portion.
According to the another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a collapsible toilet enclosure comprising a base portion and a lid portion, the lid portion being vertically moveable relative to the base portion and comprising a roof, and a latch configured to releasably secure the lid portion to the base portion. The base portion comprises a floor, a toilet aperture and a holding receptacle in fluid communication with the toilet aperture. The collapsible toilet enclosure further comprises a lifting structure connecting the lid portion to the base portion and configured to raise the lid portion relative to the base portion when the latch is released, the lifting structure comprising at least a first telescoping member biased to extend and a second telescoping member.
In one embodiment, the second telescoping member may be pivotably connected to the first telescoping member. The second telescoping member may be biased to extend upon release of the latch. A locking pin may be provided in order to lock the first or second telescoping member when extended, and at least the first and second telescoping members may be lockable when the lid is raised. The first and second telescoping members may be pivotably and slidably connected to one another, and may be pivotably and slidably connected to at least one of the base portion or the lid portion. The lid portion may be collapsible relative to the base portion upon application of weight to the lid portion.
In another embodiment, one or more of the telescoping members may comprise a gas strut, a hydraulic cylinder, a pneumatic cylinder, a linear actuator or a spring actuated extension member.
In another embodiment, the floor of the base may comprise a first nesting feature and the roof of the lid may comprise a second nesting feature complementary to the first nesting feature, the nesting features configured to inhibit relative movement between two vertically stacked collapsible toilet enclosures.
According to the another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a collapsible toilet enclosure comprising a base portion and a lid portion, the lid portion being vertically moveable relative to the base portion and comprising a roof. The base portion comprises a floor, a base portion sidewall, a toilet adjacent the base sidewall and a holding receptacle in fluid communication with the toilet. The collapsible toilet enclosure further comprises a lifting structure connecting the lid portion to the base portion and configured to raise the lid portion relative to the base portion, the lifting structure comprising at least a first telescoping member, a second telescoping member and a drive structure configured to raise the lid portion relative to the base portion.
The drive structure may be configured to cause extension of at least the first telescoping member. The drive structure may be configured to cause extension of the first and second telescoping members. The drive structure may be configured to rotate the first telescoping member relative to the lid portion or the base portion. Additionally, the drive structure may be configured to drive first and second portions of the first telescoping member axially relative to one another.
In one embodiment, the drive structure may comprise a chain-sprocket system, having a drive sprocket connected via a chain drive to the at least one telescoping member. The drive structure may be manually operated via a drive handle, the drive handle allowing a user to impart a driving force upon the drive sprocket. Alternatively, the drive structure may comprise a motorized driving mechanism. The drive structure further comprises first and second telescoping member sprockets, the first and second telescoping member sprockets being connected to at least two separate telescoping member and configured to extend the telescoping members and raise the lid upon application of a driving force to the drive sprocket.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Having summarized the invention, embodiments thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
FIG. 1 shows an iso-metric view of the collapsible toilet enclosure as described herein;
FIG. 2 shows a side view of the collapsible toilet enclosure of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 shows a front view of the collapsible toilet enclosure of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 shows a top view of the collapsible toilet enclosure of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 shows a side view of the collapsible toilet enclosure of FIG. 1, illustrating connection points for the telescoping members and the biasing means of the preferred embodiment;
FIGS. 6a, 6b and 6c show side views of the collapsible toilet enclosure of FIG. 1, in the collapsed, mid-extended and fully extended positions respectively;
FIG. 7 shows an iso-metric view of the collapsible toilet enclosure of FIG. 1 in the collapsed position;
FIG. 8 shows an alternative iso-metric view of the collapsible toilet enclosure of FIG. 1, with privacy screen attached;
FIG. 9 shows an enlarged front view of the telescoping members, illustrating the connection point and sheath;
FIG. 10 shows a side cross-sectional view of the telescoping members, illustrating the connection point and locking pin;
FIG. 11 shows a side cross-sectional view of the telescoping members, illustrating the alternative embodiment spring-loaded locking pin;
FIGS. 12A and 12B show a front view of the of the collapsible toilet enclosure of FIG. 1, illustrating the collapsible toilet enclosure alone in the fully extended position (FIG. 12A) and in the stacked position with two other collapsible toilet enclosures (FIG. 12B);
FIG. 13 shows a side view of a second embodiment of a collapsible toilet enclosure in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 14 shows an iso-metric view of a third embodiment of the collapsible toilet enclosure in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 15 shows a side view of the collapsible toilet enclosure of FIG. 14, while in the fully extended position;
FIG. 16 shows a side view of the collapsible toilet enclosure of FIG. 14, while in the collapsed position;
FIG. 17 shows a front view of the collapsible toilet enclosure of the third embodiment, illustrating the optional latches;
FIG. 18 shows an iso-metric view of a fourth embodiment of the collapsible toilet enclosure in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 19 shows a front view of a fifth embodiment of the collapsible toilet enclosure in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 20 shows a front view of the collapsible toilet enclosure of FIG. 19, while in the collapsed position;
FIG. 21 shows a side view of a sixth embodiment of the collapsible toilet enclosure in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 22 shows a front view of the collapsible toilet enclosure of FIG. 21;
FIG. 23 shows a side view of the collapsible toilet enclosure of FIG. 21, illustrating a latch;
FIG. 24 shows an enlarged perspective view of the latch illustrated in FIG. 23; and
FIG. 25 shows a side view of seventh embodiment of the collapsible toilet enclosure in accordance with the present invention, illustrating a drive mechanism of the preferred embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION Throughout the drawings, like features will be designated by like reference numerals. Therefore, features corresponding to reference numerals shown in a drawing may not be described with reference to that particular drawing, but instead described with reference to another drawing. Similarly, features described with reference to a particular drawing may not be indicated with a reference on that drawing, but will be indicated with a reference numeral on another drawing.
A collapsible toilet enclosure 1 according to the present invention is generally illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 12. Referring to FIG. 1, the enclosure 1 comprises a base 2 and a lid 3. The base 2 further comprises a base floor 9, having an inner surface 10 and an opposing outer surface 11, and a generally cylindrical base wall 12 extending upward from the inner surface 10 of the base floor 9. The base wall 12 forms a front wall 64, and back wall 65 and first and second opposing side walls 66, 67. The base wall 12 encloses and forms a hollow internal space 19 within the base 2. A separation in the front wall 64 forms an opening 20, the opening 20 allowing a user to conveniently enter and access the internal space 19 of the base 2. The base wall 12 terminates in upper edge 21 defining four corners 68, 69, 70, 71, the upper edge 21 forming a ridge shape to facilitate engagement with the lid 3 (as discussed below).
A toilet 13 is positioned within the internal space 19 of the base 2, the toilet comprising a toilet aperture 14 and a holding receptacle 15 in fluid communication with the toilet aperture 14. Referring to FIG. 1, and as detailed in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the toilet 13 rests upon the inner surface 10 of the base floor 9, positioned abutting the back wall 65, directly across from the opening 20.
As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the lid 3 comprises an outer roof 40 opposing an inner ceiling 63. The lid 3 has four corners 72, 73, 74, 75, which corners are complimentary to the four corners 68, 69, 70, 71 of the base wall 12 respectively. Along the point of contact between the roof 40 and inner ceiling 63 is formed an outer flange 22, extending along the outer edge of the lid 3, the outer flange 22 designed to engage the upper edge 21 of the base wall 12 when the toilet enclosure 1 is in the collapsed position (as illustrated in FIG. 7). When in the collapsed position, the outer flange 22 and the upper edge 21 engage to form a sealed enclosure between the lid 3 and the base 2. In order to facilitate a more secured engagement, the outer flange 22 and/or upper edge 21 may be equipped with any form of sealing material known in the art, such as weather stripping to prevent excess material and water from entering into the internal space 19 of the base 2 when the collapsible toilet enclosure 1 is in the collapsed position. Furthermore, outer flange 22 of the lid 3 may be formed such that outer flange 22 is incidentally larger than the upper edge 21, which creates a slight overhang with the lid 3 is in the collapsed, closed position.
A lifting structure 5, as best illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 5 and 6 connects the lid 3 to base 2 and moves the lid 3 vertically relative to the base 2 from a collapsed position to an extended position. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the lifting structure 5 comprises a first set of telescoping members comprising first telescoping member 6 and third telescoping member 7, and a second set of telescoping members comprising a second telescoping member 16 and fourth telescoping member 17. The first and third telescoping members 6, 7 are connected substantially at, and extend upward from the first and second bottom corners 76, 77 of the base 2, while second and fourth telescoping members 16, 17 are connected substantially at, and extend upward from the third and fourth bottom corners 78, 79 of the base 2 on the opposite side of the base 2. In the extended position illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first and third telescoping members 6, 7 are lockable in the extended position at a connection point 8. As described below in connection with FIG. 10, the first and third telescoping members 6, 7 are lockable at the connection point 8 by way of a locking pin 30.
Similar to the first set of telescoping members 6, 7, the second set of telescoping members 16, 17, are lockable in the extended position at a connection point 18. As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first set of telescoping members 6, 7 and the second set of telescoping members 16, 17 are positioned on opposing sides of the base 2 and lid 3 respectively and are substantially symmetrical to one another on opposing first and second sides 66, 67 of the base 2. The first and second sets of telescoping members of the illustrated embodiment are practically identical in shape and arrangement. The inclusion and positioning of both sets of telescoping members, namely, the first and third telescoping members 6, 7, as well as the second and fourth telescoping members 16, 17 each crossing one another and each being connected to non-aligned corners of the base 2 and lid 3 respectively, is intended to provide firm structural support for the lid 3 when in the extended position and to create stability for the lid 3 during the vertical raising process.
Referring to FIG. 5, the telescoping members are pivotally connected to non-aligned corners of the base 2 and the lid 3. For example, the first telescoping member 6 is pivotally connected to the base 2 at a pivotal connection point 28 and to lid 3 at a pivotal connection point 26. Each of the pivotal connection points 28, 26 are positioned at the first top corner 68 of the base 2 and the second corner 73 of the lid 3 respectively. The third telescoping member is pivotally connected to the base 2 at pivotal connection point 29 and to the lid 3 at pivotal connection point 27, each of the pivotal connection points 29, 27 being positioned at the second top corner 69 of the base 2 and the first corner 72 of the lid 3 respectively. Similarly, each of the second set of telescoping members is pivotally connected to the base 2 and lid 3 at pivotal connection points, located at non-aligned corners, symmetrical to the first set of telescoping members on each respective first and second side wall 66, 67 of the base 2. As such, the first and second telescoping members 6, 16 each cross another telescoping member (the third and fourth telescoping members 7, 17 respectively), the first and third telescoping members located on the same side of the base and the second and fourth telescoping members located on the same side of the base opposite the first and third telescoping members.
The first and third telescoping members 6, 7 connect to the lid 3 at points 26 and 27 respectively. These connection points constitute any rigid connection means, such as a nut/bolt or screw, provided that such connection points allow rotational movement of the member at the fixed connection point. Likewise, the first and second telescoping members connect to the base 2 at points 28 and 29 respectively utilizing similar connection means. The telescoping members may be pivotably and slidably connected to at least one of the base 2 or lid 3, using, for example, a pin and slot mechanism. A slidable connection alleviates some of the stresses created at a rigid, fixed point connection.
As further illustrated in FIG. 5, each telescoping member may be formed from corresponding hollow outer and inner sheaths, which inner sheath is received within the hollow outer sheath in the collapsed position and extending outward from the hollow outer sheath during vertical extension of the lid 3. As seen in FIG. 5, the first telescoping member 6 comprises a hollow outer sheath 33 and an inner member 34. Similarly, the third telescoping member 7 also comprises a hollow outer sheath 31 and an inner member 32, and correspondingly, the second set of telescoping members 16, 17 may also incorporate similar hollow outer sheaths and inner sheaths as the first set of telescoping members 6, 7.
The lifting structure 5 connecting the lid 3 to the base 2, and configured to raise the lid 3 relative to the base 2 may further comprise biasing means, specifically, the first telescoping member 6 being biased to extend upon release of a latch (not shown). A suitable latch may be the one as illustrated in the embodiment of FIGS. 19-22, as best seen in FIGS. 21-22. Referring to FIG. 5, the biasing means comprises a spring 35 within first telescoping member 6. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the spring 35 is housed within the hollow outer sheath 33 of the first telescoping member 6. When fully collapsed, the inner member 34 of the first telescoping member 6 compresses the spring 35 within the outer sheath 33, and the force of the latch causes the inner member 34, the outer sheath 33 and the spring 35 to remain compressed. Upon release of the latch, the force of the spring 35 upon the inner member 34 causes the inner member 34 to extend outward from the outer sheath 33. The force of the extension of the inner member 34 on the lid 3 causes the lid 3 to move vertically relative to the base 2. The biasing means can be incorporated into any of the telescoping members and one skilled in the art could incorporate springs 35 into any or all of the telescoping members as required.
The biasing means can comprise any biasing means suitable for automatically extending upon release of the latch and capable of exerting a force great enough to overcome the weight of the lid 3 and raise the lid 3 vertically. As such, the first telescoping member 6 may comprise any biasing means known in the art for achieving this function, such as a gas strut, a hydraulic cylinder, a pneumatic cylinder, a linear actuator or a spring. The first telescoping member 6 comprises a hollow outer sheath 33 and an inner member 34, the inner member 34 being compressed within the hollow outer sheath 33 while the toilet enclosure 1 is in the collapsed positioned, and biased to extend outward from the hollow outer sheath 33 upon release of the latch thereby raising the lid 3 vertically relative to the base 2.
The lifting structure 5 may further comprise the second telescoping member 16 being biased to extend according to any of the same means discussed above for the first telescoping member. One skilled in the art would appreciate that telescoping members, which are biased to extend upon release of the latch, can be incorporated for any or all of the telescoping members 6, 7, 16, 17. Selection and use of biased, extending telescopic members is made based on the requirements of the specific embodiment of collapsible toilet apparatus in question. For example, the weight of the lid 3 may require use of more than one biased, extending telescoping member in order to ensure stable, consistent vertical raising to prevent rocking of the lid 3 (i.e. to ensure that the lid 3 remains substantially in a horizontal plane during raising by preventing planar rotation), and to fully support the lid 3 when in the extended position. Furthermore, while the collapsible toilet enclosure 1 comprises a generally rectangular shape, variations in shape of the enclosure may require more or less sets of telescoping members and/or biased, extending members in order to provide the requisite structural support and stable raising of the lid.
FIGS. 6 to 8 illustrate the operation of the collapsible toilet enclosure 1. As seen in FIG. 6A and FIG. 7, the collapsible toilet enclosure is in the fully collapsed position, wherein the lid 3 is releasably secured to base 2 and engagement of the upper edge 21 of the base wall and the outer flange 22 of the lid 3. Referring to FIG. 6A, in the fully collapsed position, the telescoping members of the first and second pair of telescoping members fold in and lay adjacent, substantially horizontal and substantially parallel to one another, namely, the first and third telescoping member 6, 7. Correspondingly, although not illustrated, the second and fourth telescoping members 16, 17 each lay substantially horizontal and parallel to each other respectively on the opposite side of the base 2.
Referring to FIGS. 6B and 8, upon release of the latch, the lid 3 can be raised vertically relative to the base 2. With respect to the operation of the lifting structure 5, the force of the biasing means of the first telescoping member 6, and optionally the second telescoping member 16, causes extension of the telescoping members, thereby exerting a vertical force upon the lid 3 and raising the lid 3 vertically relative to the base 2. As both sets of telescoping members 6, 7 and 16, 17 are connected both to base 2 and lid 3, the application of vertical force by the biasing means of the first and second telescoping members 6, 16, causing vertical movement of the lid 3, places a tensile force on the inner members 32, 32′ (as seen in FIGS. 1 and 5) of the third and fourth telescoping members 7, 17, thereby automatically causing the telescoping members 7, 17 to extend outward.
As seen in FIG. 6C, the lid 3 is raised vertically until the telescoping members are fully extended outward. Depending on certain characteristics of the particular embodiment, such as the weight of the lid 3 or the amount of applicable force the biasing means of the telescoping members are able to exert, some application of vertical force by the user to the lid 3 may be required in order to fully extend the telescoping members and raise the lid to the full vertical position illustrated in FIGS. 6C and 8. Upon achieving full extension (as illustrated in FIG. 6C), a user inserts a locking pin 30 into connection point 8 (as illustrated in FIGS. 9 to 11 and elaborated below) or into both connection points 8, 18, thereby securing the first and third telescoping members 6, 7 and the second and fourth telescoping members 7, 17 to each other and securing the toilet enclosure 1 in the fully extended position. Accordingly, the first, second, third and fourth telescoping members 6, 17, 16, 17 are lockable in the extended position to prevent retraction of the members and collapsing of the toilet enclosure 1.
Referring to FIG. 7, the toilet enclosure 1 is seen in the fully collapsed position. In order to adjust the toilet enclosure 1 from the fully extended to the collapsed position, a user removes the locking pins from the pivotal connection points (as illustrated in FIGS. 9 to 11 and elaborated below) in order to release the connection between the first telescoping member 6 and third telescoping member 7 and between the second telescoping member 16 and fourth telescoping member 17. Once these lockable connections have been released, lid 3 collapses towards the base 2 and the toilet enclosure 1 returns to the collapsed position. If necessary, the user may place a downward force upon the lid 3 to overcome the force of the biasing means of the telescoping members, the lid 3 being collapsible relative to the base 2 upon application of weight to the lid 3. Depending on the number and style of biasing means incorporated into the telescoping members and the weight and/or shape of the lid 3, the user may need to apply the downward force evenly across the lid 3 in order to ensure stable lowering of the lid 3, prevent rocking of the lid 3 (i.e. excessive planar rotation) and bending of the telescoping members. However, ideally, the telescoping members 6, 7, 16, 17 should be fabricated from a material of sufficient strength, and with adequate cross-sectional thickness with secure connection points (as seen in FIG. 5 and discussed above) to the lid 3 and base 2, such that when the lid 3 is lowering, the telescoping members should not twist or contort, but should lower in a substantially smooth, consistent fashion.
Once fully collapsed, the lid 3 engages the base 2 through engagement of the outer flange 22 of the lid 3 and the upper edge 21 of the base wall 12. As seen in FIG. 7, collapsing the toilet enclosure 1 removes the enclosed internal area 62 (as seen in FIGS. 1 and 8) when the lid 3 and base 2 are engaged. As such, in the fully collapsed position, the lid 3 and base 2 form a single unit, enclosing the internal area 19 within the base 3. The lid 3 is secured to the base 2 through the latch, any latch sufficient to secure the lid 3 to the base 2, such as a standard hook and groove as illustrated in FIGS. 21 and 22 can be implemented. However, one skilled in the art would readily appreciate that any variety of latching mechanism, capable of overcoming the force of the biasing means and securing the lid 3 to the base 2 would fall within the scope of the present invention, including the possibility of utilizing two or more latching mechanisms around the perimeter of the base side wall 12.
FIG. 8 illustrates the toilet enclosure 1 in the fully extended position, with the telescoping members locked and secured to support the lid 3. As seen in FIG. 8, the toilet enclosure 1 may further comprise a privacy screen 23 which extends downward from the lid 3 to the base 2 when the enclosure 1 is in the fully extended position and encloses a hollow enclosed interior area 62 located between the lid 3 and base 2. The privacy screen may be formed form a flexible material, allowing the screen to bend and move during extension and collapsing of the toilet enclosure 1 without tearing. The privacy screen 23 can be connected to the lid 3 through any means known in the art, such as a hook/rod connecting mechanism 24 extending around the internal circumference of the lid 3. Although not illustrated, the privacy screen 23 can be connected to the base 2 through a similar hook/rod connection located adjacent to the upper edge 21 of the base wall 12.
An opening 25 is formed in the privacy screen 23 corresponding to and aligned with the opening 20 in the front wall 64 of the base wall 12. This opening 25 can be formed by a zipper or any other means of conveniently allowing a user to open and close the privacy screen 23 during use of the toilet enclosure 1. The alignment of the openings 25, 20 in the privacy screen 23 and the front wall 64 create a doorway, allowing a user to access the enclosed interior area 62 in order to utilize the toilet 13 when the toilet enclosure 1 is in the fully extended position (as seen in FIGS. 1 and 3). The privacy screen 23, combined with the enclosed interior area 62 form a private room, allowing a user to remain concealed from public view while using the toilet 13.
As detailed in FIG. 9, the connection point 8 is located proximate to the distal ends of each of the respective hollow outer sheaths 33, 31 of the first and third telescoping members 6, 7 (i.e. the ends of each outer sheath from where each respective inner members 34, 32 extend outward from their respective outer sheath). Similar to the first telescoping member 6, the second and fourth telescoping members 16, 17 each comprise hollow outer sheaths 33′, 31′ and an inner members 34′, 32′, and the connection point 18 (as seen in FIG. 1) is located proximate to the distal ends of the respective hollow outer sheaths 33′, 31′ (as seen in FIG. 1).
Referring to the right side of FIG. 10, the first telescoping member 6 and third telescoping member 7 each contain a first hole 8a and second hole 8b, which first and second holes 8a, 8b extend through each respective telescoping member. As seen in FIG. 10, as the telescoping members extend outward during extension, the first and second holes 8a, 8b of the first and third telescoping members 6, 7 are circumferentially aligned creating a single passageway through the telescoping members. This passageway allows for insertion of the locking pin 30, therein creating the connection 8 between the first and third telescoping members 6, 7 and securing the members into locked, extended position.
In use, during vertical extension of the lid 3, a user manually positions the first and third telescoping members 6, 7 in order to facilitate circumferential alignment of the holes 8a, 8b. A similar locking mechanism can be incorporated into the second set of telescoping members 16, 17, in order to facilitate alignment of connection point 18 in order to lock the second set of telescoping members 16, 17 in the extended position.
FIG. 11 illustrates an alternative embodiment utilizing a spring loaded locking pin 30a. In the embodiment of FIG. 11, the spring loaded locking pin 30a is loaded in tension such that when the first and second holes 8a, 8b are aligned, the spring loaded locking pin 30a automatically passes through the aligned holes and into locking position. As such, the telescoping members are automatically lockable in the extended position once the first and second holes 8a, 8b are aligned. A user can pull the spring loaded locking pin 30a out the aligned holes 8a, 8b to selectively manually unlock and disengage the telescoping members, in order to return the toilet enclosure 1 to the collapsed position.
FIG. 9 further illustrates the use of a pivotal sheath 80, which attaches to both telescoping members 6, 7, thereby allowing the members to be pivotably and slidably connected to one another. The sheath 80, formed as a single solid structure, encases the telescoping members and connects the telescoping members to one another. The sheath 80 is formed from a first sheath portion 82, which encases telescoping member 7, a second sheath portion 83, which encases telescoping member 6 and center hole 81. The first and second sheath portions 82, 83 are pivotally connected at the center hole 81, thereby allowing the sheath 80 to slide along the telescoping members during the raising and lowering operations while still maintaining connection of the telescoping members. In use, the center hole 81 is circumferentially aligned with the holes 8a, 8b (FIG. 10) of the telescoping members, allowing the locking pin to secure the telescoping members in the extended position.
Referring to FIG. 12, the outer bottom surface 11 of the base 2 and the roof 40 of the lid 3 may comprise respective complementary first and second nesting features. As illustrated in FIG. 12B, the complimentary first and second nesting features are configured to inhibit relative horizontal movement between vertically stacked collapsible toilet enclosures 1′, 1″, 1′″. Referring to FIG. 12A, the first nesting feature comprises a groove 38 positioned between a pair of outer ridges 39, formed upon the bottom surface 11 of the base 2. The second nesting feature comprises a ridge 41 positioned between a pair of outer grooves 42, formed upon the roof 40 of the lid 3. As seen if FIG. 12, the groove 38 and ridge 41, as well as the outer ridges 39 and outer grooves 42, are designed to form a mating engagement, with the ridge 41 being received into the groove 38 and outer ridges 39 being received within the outer grooves 42 when respective toilet enclosures 1′, 1″, 1′″ are vertically stacked, one atop another. Therefore, when secured in the collapsed position, two or more toilet enclosures can be vertically stacked for convenient transportation or storage.
FIG. 13 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the present invention. Referring to the embodiment of FIG. 13, the lifting structure 205 comprises a first telescoping member 206 and second telescoping member 207 attached at a pivotal connection 208. An angled spring 243 is positioned at a connection point 228 and attached to the first telescoping member 206 and the base 202, with a first prong 243a being connected to the telescoping member 206 and a second prong 243b being connected to the base 202. The angled spring 243 is biased such that when the toilet enclosure mechanism is in the fully collapsed position, the angled spring 243 is compressed, with the first prong 243a being pressed into a substantially parallel and adjacent position to the second prong. During vertical raising, the angled spring 243 attempts to return to its natural position, wherein the first prong 243a rotates counter clockwise away from the substantially parallel position relative to the second prong 243b, rotating the first telescoping member 206 counter clockwise as well. The second telescoping member 207 is also extended in clockwise rotation relative to the first telescoping member 206, thereby exerting a vertical force upon the lid 203 in order to move the lid 203 vertically relative to the base 202 and into the extended position. Similarly, a second pair of telescoping members can be positioned, substantially symmetrical to the first and second telescoping member on the second side of base wall 212. Also, although not illustrated, additional angled springs can be incorporated at connection point 227 at the lid 203 and/or at the connection point 208, in order to provide additional biasing during the vertical extension of the lid 203.
FIGS. 14 to 17 illustrate another alternative embodiment of the present invention. As seen in FIG. 14, the collapsible toilet enclosure comprises a collapsible door structure positioned at the front of the collapsible toilet enclosure, the collapsible door structure having a collapsible doorframe 380 and a collapsible door 84 pivotally mounted in the doorframe 380. The collapsible doorframe 380 connects the lid 303 to the base 302, the doorframe 380 being in an extended position when the lid 303 is raised relative to the base 302. When in the extended position, the collapsible doorframe 380 is lockable, and selectively unlockable. As seen in FIG. 14, when locked in the extended position, the collapsible doorframe 380 and collapsible door 84 provide structural support for the lid 303 and the collapsible toilet enclosure generally.
Referring to FIG. 14, the collapsible doorframe 380 comprises first and second collapsible supports 381, 384. The first and second collapsible supports 381, 384 are spaced apart from one another and extend vertically from the base 302 to the lid 303. Each of the first and second collapsible supports 381, 384 is pivotally connected to both the base 302 and the lid 303, which facilitates the collapsibility of the doorframe 380 (as seen in FIG. 16). The first collapsible support 381 further comprises a first support section 382 and a second support section 383, the first and second support sections 382, 383 being pivotally connected together so that the supports are in an extended position when the lid 303 is raised relative to the base 302 and in collapsed position when the lid 303 is lowered relative to the base 302. Similarly, the second collapsible support 384 comprises first and second support sections 385, 386 pivotally connected together to facilitate extension and collapsibility. As seen in FIG. 14, as well as FIG. 16, the pivotal connections between the first and second collapsible supports 381, 384 and each of the lid 303 and the base 302, as well as the pivotal connections between the first support sections 382, 385 and second support sections 383, 386 of each collapsible support allow the doorframe 380 to conveniently extend and collapse as the lid 303 is raised and lowered relative to the base 302.
The collapsible door 84 is pivotally mounted to the doorframe 380 at a pivotal hinge connection 88, therein permitting the collapsible door 84 to swing between open and closed positions during use. The collapsible door 84 further comprises first and second door sections 387, 388, pivotally connected at a folding hinge 85. As seen in FIGS. 14 and 15, when the lid 303 is raised relative to the base 302, the collapsible door 84 is fully extended upward, and the doorframe 380 can be locked into the extended position through the use of a locking pin 86. The locking pin 86 secures the collapsible doorframe 380 in the fully extended, vertical position, thereby preventing the doorframe 380, the collapsible door 84, and the first and second door sections 387, 388 from collapsing and folding inward at the hinge 85. As seen in FIG. 16, when the locking pin 86 is disengaged, the collapsible door 84 folds inward at the hinge 85, thereby conveniently containing the collapsible door within the internal area 319 of the base 302.
Referring to FIG. 17, the collapsible doorframe further comprises latches 389 for securing the lid in a substantially horizontal position when the doorframe is in the extended position. Latches 398, 399 comprise hooks 390, 392, each hook pivotally secured to second support sections 383, 386 of each of the first and second collapsible supports 381, 384, respectively. The latches 389 further comprise a set of notches 391, 393 in the lid 303 corresponding to and configured to receive each of the respective hooks 390, 392. In operation, a user will manually rotate the lid 303 about the pivot connection to the first and second collapsible supports 381, 384 when the collapsible supports are in the extended position. The hooks 390, 392 automatically snap into the notches 391, 393, thereby securing the lid 303 in a substantially horizontal position (as seen FIGS. 14 and 15). In order release the lid 303 from the secured horizontal position, a user can manually depress the hooks 390, 392, thereby releasing the hooks 390, 392 from the notches 391, 393, and allowing the lid 303 to again rotate freely about the pivot connection to the first and second collapsible supports 381, 384. The latches 389 allow a user to conveniently secure and unsecure the lid 303 from the horizontal position when extending and collapsing the doorframe.
The embodiment of FIGS. 14 to 17 may further incorporate any of the telescoping member mechanisms disclosed herein, namely, one or more telescoping members connecting the lid 303 to the base 302, the one or more telescoping members being in an extended position when the lid 303 is raised relative to the base 302. The telescoping members may be automatically lockable and selectively unlockable in the extended position, and may comprise a lifting structure, such as a drive structure, connecting the lid 303 to the base 302 and configured to raise the lid 303 relative to the base 302.
The embodiment of FIG. 18 illustrates the collapsible toilet enclosure of FIGS. 14-17 incorporating first and second telescoping members 306, 316, which telescoping members extend upward from the first and fourth bottom corners 376, 379 of the base to the second and third corners 373, 374 of the lid 303, respectively. As exemplified in FIG. 18, the inner members 334, 334′ extend outward from their respective outer sheaths 333, 333′ in order to extend the lid 303 upward from the base 302. Upon reaching full extension, the members can be locked at their respective connection points 308, 308′ using any of the locking mechanisms described herein. As seen in FIG. 18, the first and second sidewalls 366, 367 of the base 302 may optionally include respective slots (only slot 87 in sidewall 366 being labeled), which permit the telescoping members 306, 316 to be contained within the respective sidewalls when in the fully collapsed position. The sidewalls of the embodiment of FIG. 18 are hollow, and as such permit the first and second telescoping members 306, 316 to be conveniently stored within the sidewalls when in the fully collapsed position. In order to return to the collapsed position, the locking pin 86 is disengaged and the telescoping members 306, 316 are retracted.
In the alternative embodiment of FIG. 19, the lid 403 is connected to the base 402 through four telescoping members, each of which extend substantially vertically upward from each of the respective corners of the base 402. Referring to FIG. 19, the first and third telescoping members 406, 407 are connected substantially at, and extend upward from the first and second bottom corners 476, 477 of the base 402 (i.e. similar to bottom corners 76, 77 as illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 1). Correspondingly, although not illustrated, second and fourth telescoping members are connected substantially at, and extend upward from the third and fourth bottom corners of the base 402 (i.e. similar to bottom corners 78, 79 as illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 1) respectively on the opposite side of the base 402. As illustrated in FIG. 19, each telescoping member may comprise two hollow outer sheaths and one inner member. Referring to FIG. 19 the first telescoping member 406 comprises a first hollow outer sheath 456, and second hollow outer sheath 457 and an inner member 458. Similarly, the third telescoping member 407 comprises a first hollow outer sheath 459, a second hollow outer sheath 460 and an inner member 461.
In the embodiment of FIG. 19, each first hollow outer sheath, such as the first hollow outer sheaths 456, 459 of the first and third telescoping members 406, 407 are ideally equal in height to that of the base side wall 412. As illustrated in FIG. 20, with the first outer sheath heights substantially equal to the height of the base side wall 412, the lid 403 conveniently engages the base 402 when the inner members and second outer sheaths are retained within the first outer sheaths in the collapsed position.
The embodiment of FIG. 19 can be equipped with a biasing means, which biasing means may comprise any of the biasing means disclosed herein, such as such as a gas strut, a hydraulic cylinder, a pneumatic cylinder, a linear actuator or a spring incorporated into any or all of the telescoping members.
The alternative embodiment of FIGS. 21-23 illustrates a variation of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 12, with the exception that the telescoping members are connected substantially at, and extending upward from, the first, second, third and fourth bottom corners of the base 502. As illustrated in FIG. 21, the first and third telescoping members 506, 507 extend upward from the first and second bottom corners 576, 577 of the base 502. Furthermore, the embodiment of FIGS. 21-23 incorporates the biasing means illustrated in FIG. 13, namely, an angled spring 543 is positioned at the connection point 528 and attached to the first telescoping member 506 and the base 502. As such, when the latch 4 (as illustrated in FIGS. 23 and 24) is released, the lid 503 automatically extends vertically, with the toilet enclosure moving to the extended position. As seen in FIG. 22, a user may insert the locking pins 508, 508′ in order to lock the telescoping members in the extended position.
FIG. 25 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the collapsible toilet enclosure, wherein the lifting structure comprises a drive structure 648 configured to raise the lid 603 relative to the base 602. The drive structure of the embodiment of FIG. 25 comprises a manually operated chain-sprocket system, having a drive sprocket 650 connected via a drive chain 651 to a first telescoping member sprocket 652 and a second telescoping member sprocket 653. As illustrated in FIG. 25, a user may drive the raising and lowering of the lid 603 by imparting a rotational force upon the drive sprocket 650 through the drive handle 649. The first and second sprockets 652, 653 are connected to the telescoping members 606, 607 at respective connection points 654, 655, which connection points may include any form of solid connection known in the art sufficient to maintain connection of the members to the sprockets. The toilet enclosure may be equipped with a privacy screen 623 to enclose the internal user area 662 of the enclosure.
Upon imparting a clockwise rotational force upon the drive handle 649, the drive sprocket 650 places a rotational, tensile force upon the drive chain 651. The drive chain 651 pulls along the telescoping member sprockets 652, 653 therein imparting a rotational force upon each respective telescoping member 606, 607. The rigid connection points 654, 655 at each telescoping member cause the sprockets 652, 653 to impart an angular, upward rotation to each of the telescoping members 606, 607. As seen in FIG. 25, rotation of the drive handle 649 thereby causes the telescoping members 606, 607 to extend and drive upwards, placing a vertical force upon the lid 603 and causing the vertical extension of the lid 603 away from the base 602.
The drive structure 648 of the FIG. 25 is configured to cause extension of the first and third telescoping members 606, 607. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the drive sprocket 650 may need to incorporate a double sprocket system in to facilitate the drive chain 651 applying rotational force to two separate sprockets 652, 653. However, one skilled in the art would appreciate that the drive structure 648 of FIG. 25 can be configure to cause extension of at least the first telescoping member 606 alone, or an additional drive structure can be incorporated on the opposite side of the base 602 to drive the second set of telescoping members.
Additional variants, equivalents, embodiments and features of the invention can be conceived by persons of skill in the art and are intended by the inventor to be encompassed by the following claims. The invention is defined only as set out in the claims hereof and such claims are intended to be construed broadly within the meaning supported by the specification.
