Patent Application
20230248191
The present invention relates generally to the field of toilet seats. More specifically, the present invention relates to a non-disposable portable toilet seat device, with configurations for toddler, child and adult-sized seats, that attaches to a fixed toilet of a public restroom. The device's body is primarily made up of a base, lid, vertical frame arm and a seat cushion with a continuous opening, thereby allowing access to the bowl of the fixed toilet. A lid is attached to the base through the vertical frame arm so that the device can fold together for transport or fold out for use. In this manner, a user can conveniently travel with the device and deploy its use for a more sanitary restroom experience. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices and methods of manufacture.
In many respects, public restrooms offer a valuable convenience for most users. However, this convenience is often necessary, and a user can be left with no other option than to use the public restroom nearest them. These public facilities are often ridden with harmful bacteria, germs, microorganisms, residual urine, fecal matter and other bodily fluids, as well as many more unsightly and grotesque matters. Locations such as construction sites and busy rest stops are just some of the many examples where users are left stranded with one option, which includes undesirable and unsanitary restroom conditions. In an attempt to overcome said undesirable and unsanitary restroom conditions, users may be forced to fashion makeshift covers out of toilet paper to prevent direct skin contact with a public toilet seat. However, this process is tedious and ineffective. Paper seat covers can also move, rip and crumble, invariably leaving the user with a less than satisfactory shield from the public toilet seat. Moreover, a parent or guardian can be left inconvenienced and stranded if a toilet seat is too large for a child to use properly.
Therefore, to mitigate the spread of harmful elements, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a device that provides a barrier between the user and a public toilet seat. There is also a long-felt need in the art for a device with a sturdy and durable barrier, that allows the device to function effectively. Further, there also exists a long-felt need in the art for a device that is easily portable and lightweight, such that the device can accompany the user in his or her travels and everyday endeavors. Moreover, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a portable toilet seat device that fits the individual user's size.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a non-disposable portable toilet seat device. The device is primarily comprised of a base, lid, vertical frame arm and a seat cushion with a continuous opening, that allows access to the bowl of a toilet. The device is designed to be lightweight and easily transportable in a carrying bag. The carrying bag comes with several integrated pockets that can store many objects, such as but not limited to disinfectant spray and wet wipes. The user can deploy the device on a fixed toilet of a public restroom to create a more sanitary, comfortable and customized experience, and form a barrier between the user and the undesirable debris often found on public toilets.
In this manner, the portable toilet seat device of the present invention accomplishes all of the foregoing objectives and creates a barrier between a user and an unsanitary public toilet. Further, the device offers the user a sturdy seat that accurately mimics the feeling of an actual toilet seat, without sacrificing its lightweight structure. In this manner, the device can easily be transported from location to location to fulfill the user's needs. The device also ensures that each user has a clean place to sit when using a toilet, thereby improving each user's restroom experience. Moreover, child configurations of the device offer a smaller seat that is more proportioned to the size of a child, which is particularly advantageous for a parent or guardian who may be in the processing of potty-training his or her child.
The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a portable toilet seat device that can be attached and secured onto the seat of a toilet. A bottom layer acts as a base for the portable toilet seat. The base is preferably made with a durable plastic and utilizes a non-slip surface. The base can also be configured with suction cups to enhance the seat's grip, or a series of ropes and buckles that may be attached to the base and wrap around the bowl of the fixed toilet. Situated on the base is a cushioned seat that is hollowed out in its center, thereby allowing access to the bowl of the fixed toilet. A lid is secured to the seat through a hinge, which enables the seat to be folded. The lid can be secured to the base by a vertical frame arm that connects to a hinge fastened on the lid's top side. The arm is then locked in by a grooved portion on the backside of the top surface of the base.
Both the seat and bottom side of the lid are cushioned. Preferably, a vinyl-covered padding surrounds a wood or plastic core that would form the seat. This padding also covers the entire bottom surface of the lid. In this manner, the lid can serve as a comfortable backrest when folded outwards and secured. In different embodiments, the cushioned seat and lid may be comprised of a plurality of decorative indicia, such as patterns, logos, emblems, images, symbols, designs, letters, words, characters, animals, advertisements, brands, etc.
The device is designed to fold inward and be effortlessly placed in a carrying bag. This carrying bag is configured with a series of pockets that allows the user to transport different objects such as wet wipes, diapers or disinfectant spray along with the device. This carrying bag can be made of a multitude of lightweight and durable fabrics. For a child-oriented bag, different embodiments may be comprised of a plurality of decorative indicia, such as patterns, logos, emblems, images, symbols, designs, letters, words, characters, animals, advertisements, brands, etc.
Accordingly, the portable toilet seat device of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it allows the user to transport the device with relative ease. In this manner, the user can deploy the device to make his or her experience in a public restroom more sanitary and comfortable. Therefore, the device eliminates the need to construct ineffective, makeshift devices, and affords the user the privilege and peace of mind of turning any public restroom into a restroom that mimics his or her own.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:
The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.
As noted above, there is a long-felt need in the art for a non-disposable portable toilet seat. There also exists a long-felt need in the art for a portable toilet seat that is easily washable and reusable. Further, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a portable seat that is durable and stable, yet still easily transportable. In this manner, a user can effectively deploy the device when needed, with the least amount of effort. In addition, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a portable toilet seat device that eliminates the need for a user to construct a makeshift paper toilet seat cover out of toilet paper, which can be ineffective and unsanitary. Moreover, there is a long-felt need in the art for a portable toilet seat device customized to its distinct user. Specifically, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a portable toilet seat device that is proportioned such that it suits the small stature of a toddler or child, who may need assistance while potty-training.
The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is comprised of a portable toilet seat device that allows the user to deploy the device on top of a fixed toilet of a public or private restroom. The device is primarily comprised of a bottom layer (or base), a cushioned seat, a top layer (or lid) and a vertical support frame. The seat and the bottom surface of the lid are preferably fashioned with a vinyl-covered padding, but can also be fashioned in differing water-resistant fabrics. Beyond the sanitary benefits that the seat provides for the user, the cushioned components of the device provide a user with a more comfortable bathroom experience, as opposed to the hard and unsanitary surfaces of a public toilet.
The device can be customized primarily in three differing sizes: toddler, child and adult. These embodiments preferably fit the varying sizes of either a toddler, child or adult body. In differing embodiments, the surface of the padded components of the device may be comprised of a plurality of indicia. The device is preferably stored in a decorative carrying bag with several integrated pockets. The pockets can store various items, such as but not limited to disinfect spray and wet wipes, such that the device can be cleaned before and after use. The carrying bag can likewise feature similar indicia as the padded components mentioned supra.
A vertical frame arm attaches to the base and a hinge on the top side of the lid to allow the lid to be erected upwards at a 90-degree angle, so that the cushioned bottom side of the lid can serve as a backrest for the user. In this manner, the lid may act as a barrier between the user and the lid of the fixed toilet, which may contain unsanitary objects, fluids, germs, etc.
Accordingly, the portable toilet seat of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it allows the user to transport and deploy the device easily. The device can universally fit on all public toilets, thereby eliminating the need for a user to construct a makeshift seat cover out of toilet paper. As a result, the user can efficiently and effectively mitigate the spread of harmful germs and keep from coming into contact with other grotesque objects and fluids.
Referring initially to the drawings,
A seat cushion 110 is preferably fastened with a waterproof, vinyl-covered padding that has anti-bacterial/anti-microbial properties and surrounds the inner core of the seat. The cushion 110 may be fashioned with a plurality of decorative indicia 1100, such as patterns, logos, emblems, images, symbols, designs, letters, words, characters, animals, advertisements, brands, etc. In differing embodiments, the cushion 110 may be of three differing sizes: toddler, child and adult. These embodiments preferably fit the varying sizes of either a toddler, child or adult body.
Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “portable toilet seat device” and “device”, are interchangeable and refer to the portable toilet seat device 100 of the present invention.
Notwithstanding the forgoing, the portable toilet seat device 100 of the present invention and its various components can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that they accomplish the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration and material of the portable toilet seat device 100 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the portable toilet seat device 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the portable toilet seat device 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the portable toilet seat device 100 may be of any size, shape and/or configuration that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.
Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof
What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/233,819, which was filed on Aug. 17, 2021 and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63233819 | Aug 2021 | US |
