Potty training device

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6698036
  • Patent Number
    6,698,036
  • Date Filed
    Thursday, October 4, 2001
    23 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, March 2, 2004
    20 years ago
Abstract
A potty training device having a seat with an opening for receiving bodily waste, a sensor for sensing bodily waste, and a sensory output generator. The seat includes a retaining member configured and located so as to retain the seat in place with respect to a toilet such that the opening of the seat is located above a bowl of the toilet. The sensor senses the bodily waste that passes through the opening of the seat, and the sensory output generator generates a sensory output in response to the sensor sensing the bodily waste. A potty training device having a seat with an opening for receiving bodily waste and an electronic unit that includes a housing that at least partially contains a sensor for sensing the bodily waste, a power source, and a sensory output generator for outputting a sensory output when the sensor senses the bodily waste. The electronic unit and/or the seat includes a mechanism located and configured to removably couple the electronic unit and the seat such that the sensor is located so as to sense bodily waste received by the opening of the seat.
Description




TECHNICAL FIELD




This invention relates generally to potty training devices, and more particularly, to potty training devices that generate a sensory output when a sensor senses bodily waste.




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




Parents often experience difficulties when attempting to potty train their children. Thus, potty training devices have been developed.




One conventional potty training device is constructed such that it can be positioned upon a conventional toilet. This potty training device, however, does not detect the passing of bodily waste and does not reward the user for passing bodily waste. Hence, it is difficult for parents to potty train their children with this conventional potty training device.




Another conventional potty training device is defined by a complicated chair-like structure having detectors that detect bodily waste received by the potty training device. When the detectors detect bodily waste received by the potty training device, the potty training device generates effects to reward the user of the potty training device. Because these detectors are often in contact with the bodily waste, it is desirable to clean the detectors. One problem associated with this conventional potty training device is that it is assembled as a unitary structure with the detectors and other electronics therein. Hence, the detectors and other portions of this potty training device are not readily removable from the device for cleaning. Additionally, this chair-like potty training device is configured such that it cannot be used with a conventional toilet.




Still another conventional potty training device includes a receptacle having a mechanical box located therein that produces music to reward the user of the potty training device when bodily waste lands in the receptacle and trips a mechanical switch. Because the music box is located within the receptacle, users are required to place a bag in the receptacle each time the potty training device is used. Otherwise, the bodily waste dirties the music box and the receptacle, making it difficult to clean. Additionally, this conventional potty training device is configured such that it cannot be used in combination with a conventional toilet.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




Generally speaking, embodiments of the present invention strive to provide a potty training device having a sensor that senses bodily waste and that can be easily removed for cleaning.




Embodiments of the present invention also strive to provide a potty training device that rewards a user for passing bodily waste and that can be used in combination with a conventional toilet.




Other advantages associated with the present invention will become more readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description. As will be realized, the invention is capable of other and different embodiments, and its several details are capable of modification in various obvious aspects, all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and the description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not limitative.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS





FIG. 1

is a top view of a potty training device including a seat in accordance with the present invention.





FIG. 2

is a bottom view of the seat illustrated in FIG.


1


.





FIG. 3

is a side view a flexible clip and a retaining member of the potty training device illustrated in FIG.


1


.





FIG. 4

is a perspective view of an electronic unit of the potty training device illustrated in FIG.


1


.





FIG. 5

is a bottom view of the seat illustrated in

FIG. 1

with the electronic unit illustrated in

FIG. 4

coupled thereto.





FIG. 6

is a schematic illustration of the electronic unit illustrated in FIG.


4


.





FIG. 7

is a schematic illustration of a sensor of the potty training device illustrated in FIG.


1


.





FIG. 8

is a schematic drawing of an alternative embodiment of the sensor of the potty training device illustrated in FIG.


1


.





FIG. 9

is a perspective view of the seat/electronic unit combination illustrated in

FIG. 5

retained in place with respect to a conventional toilet.





FIG. 10

is a bottom view of the seat/electronic unit combination illustrated in

FIG. 5

retained in place with respect to a conventional toilet.





FIG. 11

is a side view of a portion of a support of the potty training device of FIG.


1


.





FIG. 12

is a perspective view of a portion of a support of the potty training device of FIG.


1


.





FIG. 13

is a perspective view of the seat/electronic unit combination illustrated in

FIG. 4

coupled to the support illustrated in

FIGS. 11 and 12

.





FIG. 14

is a perspective view of a receptacle of the potty training device illustrated in FIG.


1


.





FIG. 15

is a bottom view of the potty training device illustrated in

FIG. 1

, where the seat/electronic unit combination illustrated in

FIG. 5

is coupled to the support illustrated in FIG.


13


and to the receptacle illustrated in FIG.


14


.





FIG. 16

is a top perspective view of a potty training device in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.





FIG. 17

is a bottom perspective view of the potty training device illustrated in FIG.


16


.





FIG. 18

is a top view of the potty training device illustrated in

FIG. 16

retained in place with respect to a conventional toilet.





FIG. 19

is a cross-sectional view of the potty training device illustrated in

FIG. 16

taken along the line


19





19


in FIG.


18


.





FIG. 20

is a cross-sectional view of a potty training device in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention, where the potty training device is retained in place with respect to a conventional toilet.





FIG. 21

is a top perspective view of a seat of a further embodiment of a potty training device in accordance with the present invention.





FIG. 22

is a bottom perspective view of the potty training device illustrated in FIG.


21


.





FIG. 23

is a perspective view of an electronic unit of the potty training device illustrated in FIG.


21


.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT




One embodiment of a potty training device


30


in accordance with the present invention is illustrated in

FIGS. 1-15

. As described below in further detail, the potty training device


30


includes a sensor


62


the senses bodily waste that passes through an opening


82


of a seat


80


and a sensory output generator


66


that generates a sensory output in response to the sensor sensing the bodily waste. Hence, the user of the potty training device


30


is rewarded for passing bodily waste when using the potty training device


30


.




As is illustrated in

FIG. 1

, the seat


80


of the potty training device


30


is configured to support a seated user on a top surface


81


and includes the opening


82


passing therethrough for receiving bodily waste from the user, such as urine and feces. In the illustrated embodiment, the seat


80


includes two arms


83


and a back


85


. However, in an alternative embodiment, the seat


80


does not include the arms


83


and back


85


.




As is illustrated in

FIGS. 4

,


5


,


6


, and


10


, the illustrated embodiment of the potty training device


30


includes an electronic unit


50


, which is a unitary and portable structure that is removably couplable to the seat


80


and is configured to house at least some of the electronic components of the potty training device


30


. As is illustrated in

FIGS. 4 and 5

, the electronic unit


50


includes an opening


52


, a top end


54


, a rear end


56


, and a front end


58


. The electronic unit


50


includes a housing


51


that is defined by a casing or other structure having an interior that at least partially houses at least some of the electronic components of the potty training device


30


. As is illustrated in

FIGS. 4-6

, in the preferred embodiment, the housing


51


includes multiple housing portions that are attached to one another and that house sensors


60


,


62


, a controller


64


, the sensory output generator


66


and a power supply


68


. In an alternative embodiment, the housing


51


only houses a portion of the electronic components of the potty training device


30


, such as just the sensor


62


, and is defined by one structure molded over or around the portion of the electronic component.




The electronic unit


50


is removably couplable to the seat


80


such that it is readily separable from the seat for cleaning or otherwise. When the electronic unit


50


is coupled to the seat


80


, the opening


52


of the electronic unit is aligned with the opening


82


of the seat. Hence, when the electronic unit


50


is coupled to the seat


80


bodily waste passing through the opening


82


of the seat will also pass through the opening


52


of the electronic unit. The electronic unit


50


is removably couplable to the seat


80


via a coupling mechanism, which in the preferred embodiment, is located at the underside


84


of the seat


80


and includes four flexible clips


86


. As is best illustrated in

FIGS. 3

,


5


, and


10


, each flexible clip


86


includes a ridge


90


that is configured to grasp the electronic unit


50


to removably couple the electronic unit to the seat


80


. The flexible clips


86


can be moved away from their biased positions illustrated in

FIGS. 5 and 10

to release the electronic unit


50


from the seat


80


for cleaning or, for example, changing of the power supply


68


.




As is illustrated in

FIGS. 4-6

, the electronic unit


50


houses the sensor


62


, which is a device that responds to a signal or stimulus so as to detect or sense when bodily waste is passing through or has passed through the opening


82


of the seat


80


. As is illustrated in

FIGS. 4 and 7

, in the preferred embodiment, the sensor


62


includes a transmitter


70


that transmits energy and a receiver


72


that senses or detects the transmitted energy. The transmitter


70


is preferably a light-generating device, such as one or more light-emitting diodes, lasers, light bulbs or other similar devices, and the receiver


72


is preferably one or more light-sensing components, such as a cadmium sulfide photo-resisters (“CdS cell”). In a particularly preferred embodiment, the transmitter


70


is one light-emitting diode and the receiver


72


includes four CdS cells. As is illustrated in

FIG. 4

, the one light-emitting diode and four CdS cells of the particularly preferred embodiment generate a 2.54 cm by 10.16 cm (one inch by four inch) sensing area


53


within the opening


52


of the seat electronic unit


50


and that extends from the transmitter


70


to the receiver


72


. However, in alternative embodiments, the sensing area


53


can have different dimensions. For example, the sensing area may be 1.27 cm (0.5 inch) wide or may encompass the entire opening


52


. In an alternative embodiment of the sensor


62


, the transmitter


70


is a heat transducer or a sound transducer and the receiver


72


is a device that detects heat or sound incident from the transducer.




As is illustrated in

FIGS. 5 and 10

, when the electronic unit


50


is coupled to the seat


80


, the transmitter


70


is located such that it emits energy across the opening


82


of the seat


80


in a direction toward the receiver


72


. When a user uses the potty training device


30


and passes bodily waste through the opening


82


of the seat


80


, the bodily waste will reduce the amount of energy incident on the receiver


72


. When the receiver


72


detects a reduction in the amount of energy incident on the receiver, a signal Z is generated by the sensor


62


indicating that the opening


82


of the seat


80


has received bodily waste. The reduction in the amount of energy incident on the receiver


72


can be due to attenuation, absorption, or scattering caused by the bodily waste.




As is illustrated in

FIGS. 4

,


5


, and


10


, the transmitter


70


and receiver


72


are located on opposite sides of the opening


52


such that the transmitter


70


transmits energy across the opening in a direction toward the receiver


72


. Although the electronic unit


50


defines a continuous loop around the opening


52


, in alternative embodiments, the housing


51


only extends partially around the opening


52


. For example, in one embodiment, the housing


51


includes an arm that extends only halfway around the opening


52


such that the receiver


72


is opposite from the transmitter


70


. In a further embodiment, the transmitter


70


and receiver


72


are not located opposite from one another. For example, as schematically illustrated in

FIG. 8

, an alternative embodiment of the sensor


62


′ includes a transmitter


70


′, a receiver


72


′, and a reflector


74


′. The reflector


74


′ is one or more devices that reflect energy (i.e. light, sound, heat, vibration, etc.) transmitted by the transmitter


70


′, such as one or more mirrors, metallic plates, and/or plastic membranes. In the illustrated embodiment, the reflector


74


′ is a mirror configured to reflect light transmitted by the transmitter


70


′. The transmitter


70


′, receiver


72


′, and reflector


74


′ are positioned such that radiation is transmitted by the transmitter across the opening


52


, reflected by the reflector, and then received by the receiver after having again crossed the opening


82


of the seat


80


. Hence, the transmitter


70


′ and the receiver


72


′ can be located adjacent each other, with the reflector


74


′ located opposite from the transmitter and the receiver. When the receiver


72


′ detects a reduction in the amount of radiation received from the transmitter


70


′, a signal Z is generated by the sensor


62


′ indicating that the opening


82


of the seat


80


has received bodily waste.




In a further embodiment, the sensor


62


includes multiple transmitters


70


that direct energy across the opening


82


to one or more receivers


72


. In a further embodiment, the sensor


62


does not include a transmitter


70


, but only includes the receiver


72


, such as a CdS cell. In this embodiment, the receiver


72


is located and the seat


80


is configured such that ambient light from the environment surrounding the potty training device


30


passes across the opening


82


of the seat prior to being received by the receiver. As above, when the receiver


72


detects or senses a reduction in the amount of light received due to attenuation, absorption, or scattering caused by the bodily waste, a signal Z is generated by the sensor


62


indicating that the opening


82


of the seat


80


has received bodily waste.




In a further embodiment of the potty training device


30


, the sensor


62


is a switch that is tripped when in contact with bodily waste. When the switch is tripped by the bodily waste, a signal Z is generated by the switch indicating that the opening


82


of the seat


80


has received bodily waste.




As described above, the electronic unit


50


also houses a sensor


60


, which is a device located and configured to detect or sense when a user sits upon the seat


80


. In the preferred embodiment the sensor


60


is a motion sensor, such as a ball bearing switch, a mercury switch, or any other motion detection device configured to sense or detect when a user sits upon the seat


80


. When the electronic unit


50


is coupled to the seat


80


, the sensor


60


detects or senses movement or vibration of the seat


80


and generates a signal X each time motion or vibration is detected. Thus, when a user sits upon the seat


80


, the seat moves or vibrates causing the sensor


60


is to generate the signal X indicating that a user has sat upon the seat. In an alternative embodiment, the sensor


60


is a light-sensing component, such as a CdS cell that is housed by the electronic unit


50


proximate the top end


54


such that when the electronic unit is coupled to the seat


80


, the sensor


60


is aligned with a window in the seat


80


. In this alternative embodiment, the sensor


60


detects or senses changes in the amount of ambient light received and generates the signal X each time the sensor senses a reduction in the amount of received ambient light, such as when a user sits on the seat


80


. In further alternative embodiments, the sensor


60


is a heat sensor or a sound sensor located at one or more different locations on the seat


80


and/or the electronic unit


50


.




As described above, the electronic unit


50


also houses the sensory output generator


66


, which is a device that produces one or more sensory outputs detectable by a user of the potty training device


30


, such as an audible output, a visual output, a tactile output, an olfactory output, and/or a gustatory output. In the illustrated embodiment, the sensory output generator


66


is an audio transducer, preferably a speaker, that produces entertaining audible outputs, such as sound effects and musical tunes. In an alternative embodiment, the sensory output generator


66


is or further includes a visual transducer, such as a light display that produces a visual output. In a further embodiment, the sensory output generator


66


is or includes a vibration transducer that produces a tactile output, such as vibrating the seat. In another embodiment, the sensory output generator


66


is or includes an olfactory output generator, such as a scent mechanism that produces an olfactory output, such as a fresh scent. In a further embodiment, the sensory output generator


66


is a gustatory transducer that produces a gustatory output, such as the dispensing of a foodstuff or a sweet liquid.




As is illustrated in

FIG. 6

, in the illustrated embodiment, the electronic unit


50


further houses the controller


64


, which is electrically connected to sensors


60


,


62


, the sensory output generator


66


, and the power supply


68


. The controller


64


of the electronic unit


50


is a device that receives the electrical signals Z, X from the sensors


60


,


62


and upon receipt of the signals, causes the sensory output generator


66


to produce one or more sensory outputs. When the controller


64


receives the signal X from sensor


60


, the controller causes the sensory output generator


66


to produce a first audible output. Additionally, when the controller


64


receives the signal X from sensor


60


, the controller causes the sensor


62


to activate such that the transmitter


70


transmits energy and the receiver


72


detects energy. In the preferred embodiment, the sensor


62


will “time-out” after it has been active for five minutes, i.e., the transmitter


70


will cease to transmit energy and the receiver


72


will cease to detect energy. When the controller


64


receives another signal X from the sensor


60


, the controller will again cause the sensor


62


to activate. Thus, when the potty training device


30


detects a user seated on the seat


80


a sensory output is generated and the sensor


62


is activated for a period of time such that it can sense or detect bodily waste.




When the controller


64


receives the signal Z from sensor


62


, the controller causes the sensory output generator


66


to produce a second audible output that is preferably different from the first audible output. Thus, when bodily waste is detected passing through the opening


82


of the seat


80


a sensory output is generated to reward the user for using the potty training device


30


. In the preferred embodiment, the controller


64


is a central processing unit, such as a printed circuit board having a programmed processor and a memory. It will be appreciated that the operations of the controller


64


can be completed by any combination of remotely located and different devices that collectively function as the controller.




In an alternative embodiment, the potty training device


30


does not include the controller


64


or the sensor


60


. Rather, the sensor


62


and the sensory output generator


66


are electrically coupled and configured such that the sensory output generator


66


generates a sensory output when the sensor senses the bodily waste.




As is illustrated in

FIGS. 4-6

, and


10


, the electronic unit


50


also houses the power supply


68


, which in the preferred embodiment includes batteries. The housing


51


of the electronic unit


50


includes a cover


69


, which is removably coupled to the electronic unit


50


to retain the batteries within the electronic unit. In an alternative embodiment, the power supply


68


is external of the housing


51


. For example, one or more electrical components of the potty training device


30


may be powered by an AC power source.




As is illustrated in

FIGS. 9 and 10

, the seat


80


is configured to be retained in place with respect to a conventional toilet


100


, which is a device having a bowl


102


, a hinged seat


104


, and being configured to flush bodily waste. In the illustrated embodiment, the seat


80


includes four retaining members


92


that are configured and located so as to retain the seat in place with respect to the conventional toilet


100


such that the opening


82


of the seat


80


is located above the bowl


102


of the conventional toilet. The retaining members


92


are flexible, protrude from the underside


84


of the seat


80


, and are located on the seat such that they each fit adjacent to a portion of the inner perimeter


106


of the conventional toilet seat


104


. As best illustrated in

FIG. 3

, each retaining member


92


includes a ridge


94


that is configured to engage, such as grasp, clasp, abut, or hold, the underside of the inner perimeter


106


of the conventional toilet seat


104


. The retaining members


92


are biased such that the seat


80


is secured to the conventional toilet


100


when it is placed thereon. When the seat


80


is retained above the conventional toilet


100


the opening


82


of the seat


80


is aligned with the opening of the bowl


102


of the conventional toilet. Hence, when a user uses the potty training device


30


with the conventional toilet


100


, the bodily waste will pass through the opening


82


into the conventional toilet and the user will be rewarded with a sensory output for this act. In this manner children are encouraged to use the conventional toilet


100


in combination with the potty training device


30


, making it easier for parents to potty train their children. To remove the seat from the conventional toilet


100


, the retaining members


92


are flexed away from their biased positions, i.e., in a direction away from the inner perimeter


106


of the conventional toilet seat


104


. In alternative embodiments of the potty training device


30


, the retaining members


92


take other forms. For example, the retaining members


92


may be hinged members, removable members, suction cups, clasps, or other devices that retain the seat


80


in place with respect to the conventional toilet


100


. In addition, the retaining members


92


may retain the potty training device


30


in place by engaging the outer perimeter of the seat


104


, the outer perimeter of the bowl


102


, or the inner perimeter of the bowl.




The potty training device


30


is also configured for use without the conventional toilet


100


such that parents can potty train their children without the conventional toilet. As is illustrated in

FIGS. 11-13

and


15


, the potty training device


30


includes a support


110


that is configured to support the seat


80


at a position above a support surface S such that a child may sit on the seat and use the potty training device


30


. The support


110


is removably couplable to the seat


80


such that the support can be coupled to or removed from the seat


80


. As is illustrated in

FIGS. 11-13

, in the illustrated embodiment, the support


110


includes a right portion


112


and a left portion


114


. The right portion


112


and the left portion


114


each include two legs


116


and a side bar


118


located between each leg. The right and left portions


112


,


114


each include at least one flexible member


120


with a ridge


122


. The right and left portions


112


,


114


are insertable into leg receiving areas


96


of the seat


80


at the underside


84


of the seat (see FIGS.


2


and


3


). The flexible members


120


are biased such that when the right and left portions


112


,


114


of the support


110


are inserted into the leg receiving areas


96


, the ridges


122


engage with openings


98


to secure the right and left portions to the seat


80


. The flexible members


120


can be moved from their biased positions to disengage the ridges


122


from the openings


98


, thereby releasing the right and left portions


112


,


114


of the support


110


from the seat


80


.




In alternative embodiments, the support


110


is a unitary structure, a platform, a plurality of legs, or any other type of structure that is configured to support the seat


80


above the support surface S such that a child or other user may sit on the seat and use the potty training device


30


.




As is illustrated in

FIGS. 14 and 15

, the potty training device


30


also includes a receptacle


140


, which is configured to receive bodily waste that has passed through the opening


82


of the seat


80


when the seat is not being used with the conventional toilet


100


, i.e., when the seat is supported above the support surface S by the support


110


. The receptacle


140


includes a bowl


142


, a handle


144


, and a pair of flanges


146


. When the support


110


is coupled to the seat


80


the receptacle


140


may be removably supported adjacent to the opening


82


of the seat


80


such that the bowl


142


is aligned below the opening of the seat. As best illustrated in

FIGS. 11

,


12


, and


15


, the inner side


119


of each side bar


118


includes a ledge


121


that is configured to support the receptacle


140


above the support surface S and adjacent to the opening


82


of the seat


80


. The flanges


146


of the receptacle


140


rest upon the ledges


121


when the support


110


is coupled to the seat. Hence, when the support


110


is coupled to the seat


80


, the receptacle


140


may be inserted above and between the opposing ledges


121


such that the flanges


146


rest upon the ledges


121


and the bowl


142


is located below the opening


82


of the seat. In this manner, the receptacle


140


is located to receive bodily waste that passes through the opening


82


. The receptacle


140


can be removed from the seat


80


by grasping the handle


144


and sliding the receptacle away from the seat. In this manner, a parent may remove the receptacle


140


after use of the potty training device


30


so as to dispose of the bodily waste and clean the receptacle. In alternative embodiments of the potty training device


30


, the receptacle


140


is removably supported under the opening


82


of the seat


80


in other manners. For example, in an alternative embodiment, the receptacle


140


and/or the seat


80


include flexible members similar to those described above that removably couple the receptacle and the seat.




The potty training device


30


is thus configured for use with and without a conventional toilet


100


, which is advantageous because some children are apprehensive to use conventional toilets. Parents may selectively choose to potty train their children with the potty training device


30


in a first mode where the seat


80


is supported above the support surface S and in a second mode where the potty training device is retained in place with respect to the conventional toilet


100


.




Alternative embodiments of potty training devices


30




a


,


30




a


′, and


30




b


in accordance with the present invention are illustrated in

FIGS. 16-23

. As will be realized, portions of the foregoing discussion of the benefits and functions of the potty training device


30


also apply to the potty training devices


30




a


,


30




a


′, and


30




b


. Thus, the potty training devices


30




a


,


30




a


′, and


30




b


illustrated in

FIGS. 16-23

have been assigned corresponding reference numbers as the potty training device, with a reference letter (“a” or “b”) or prime (“′”). The potty training devices


30




a


,


30




a


′, and


30




b


illustrated in

FIGS. 16-23

also include additional features and inherent functions, as described in detail below.




As is illustrated in

FIGS. 16-19

, the potty training device


30




a


includes a seat


80




a


having an opening


82




a


and retaining members


92




a


that retain the seat in place with respect to the conventional toilet


100




a


such that the opening


82




a


of the seat


80




a


is located above the bowl


102




a


of the conventional toilet. As is illustrated in

FIG. 16

, the potty training device


30




a


includes a sensor


62




a


that detects bodily waste as it passes through the opening


82




a


of the seat


80




a


and a sensory output generator


66




a


that generates a sensory output when the sensor senses the bodily waste. Unlike the sensor


62


and the sensory output generator


66


of the potty training device


30


, the sensor


62




a


and the sensory output generator


66




a


are not part of an electronic unit that is removably couplable to the seat


80




a


. Rather, the sensor


62




a


and the sensory output generator


66




a


are integral with the seat


80




a


. For example, the body of the seat


80


is molded over the sensor


62




a


and the sensory output generator


66




a


. The sensor


62




a


and the sensory output generator


66




a


may be powered by an AC or a DC power source.




The retaining members


92




a


are arcute protrusions that protrude from the underside


84




a


of the seat


80




a


. The retaining members


92




a


abut against or rest upon the conventional toilet


100


to retain the seat


80




a


in place with respect to the conventional toilet. As is illustrated in

FIG. 19

, the retaining members


92




a


are located on the underside


84




a


of the seat


80




a


such that when the seat is placed on the conventional toilet


100




a


the retaining members fit within the opening of the seat


104




a


of the conventional toilet to retain the seat in place with respect to the conventional toilet such that it does not slide off of the conventional toilet. Because the potty training device


30




a


is configured for use with the conventional toilet


100




a


, like the potty training device


30


, parents can use the potty training device to accustom a child to using the conventional toilet.




An alternative embodiment of the potty training device


30




a


′ is illustrated in FIG.


20


. The potty training device


30




a


′ includes a seat


80




a


′ having an opening


82




a


′ and two retaining members


92




a


′ that are located to fit around the outside perimeter of the seat


104




a


′ of a conventional toilet


100




a


′ so as to retain the seat


80




a


′ in place with respect to the conventional toilet.




In alternative embodiments, the retaining members


92




a


are located to fit within the bowl


102


of the conventional toilet


100


or are located to fit around the outside perimeter of the bowl of the toilet so as to retain the seat


80




a


in place with respect to the conventional toilet.




In a further embodiment or the potty training device


30




a


, the retaining members


92




a


include multiple protrusions, one of which is located to fit within the opening of the seat


104




a


while another is located to fit around the outside perimeter of the seat


104




a


so as to retain the seat


80




a


of the potty training device


30




a


in place with respect to the conventional toilet


100


. In a further embodiment, the retaining members


92




a


include multiple protrusions, one of which is located to fit within the bowl


102




a


of the conventional toilet


100




a


while another is located to fit around the outside perimeter of the bowl of the conventional toilet so as to retain the seat


80




a


in place with respect to the conventional toilet. In a further embodiment, the retaining members


92




a


are defined by one or more recesses or cavities in the seat


80




a.






In a further embodiment of the potty training device


30




a


, the retaining member


92




a


is one continuous protrusion that protrudes from the underside


84




a


of the seat


80




a


so as to retain the seat


80




a


in place with respect to the conventional toilet.




Another embodiment of the potty training device


30




b


in accordance with the present invention is illustrated in

FIGS. 21-23

. The potty training device


30




b


includes a seat


80




b


having an opening


82




b


and further including an electronic unit


50




b


that houses at least a sensor


62




b


, which detects or senses bodily waste as it passes through the opening


82




b


of the seat


80




b


. In the illustrated embodiment, the electronic unit


50




b


also houses a controller


64




b


and a sensory output generator


66




b


. Each time the sensor


62




b


senses bodily waste a sensory output is generated by the sensory output generator


66




b.






The electronic unit


50




b


and/or the seat


80




b


includes a coupling mechanism


86




b


that removably couples the electronic unit to the seat


80




b


. Thus, the electronic unit


50




b


can be coupled to, or removed from, the seat


80




b


. The coupling mechanism


86




b


is a hook, a clasp, a clip, a snap, a button, or any other device that removably couples the electronic unit


50




b


to the seat


80




b


. Because the electronic unit


50




b


is removably coupled to the potty training device


30




b


, a parent can easily remove the electronic unit from the potty training device


30




b


to clean the device. As will be appreciated, the potty training device


30




b


may be configured for use with a conventional toilet and/or such that it is supported above a support surface for independent use.




The principles, preferred embodiments, and modes of operation of the present invention have been described in the foregoing description. However, the invention which is intended to be protected is not to be construed as limited to the particular embodiments disclosed. Further, the embodiments described herein are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Variations and changes may be made by others, and equivalents employed, without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, it is expressly intended that all such variations, changes and equivalents which fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the claims be embraced thereby.



Claims
  • 1. A potty training device comprising:a seat having an opening for receiving bodily waste, said seat including a retaining member configured and located so as to retain said seat in place with respect to a toilet such that said opening of said seat is located above a bowl of the toilet; a sensor for sensing bodily waste, said sensor configured to be coupled to said seat and located so as to sense bodily waste that passes through said opening of said seat; and a sensory output generator for generating a sensory output in response to said sensor sensing bodily waste.
  • 2. The potty training device of claim 1, further comprising:a controller configured to receive a signal from said sensor and cause said sensory output to be generated by said sensory output generator.
  • 3. The potty training device of claim 1, said sensor including a receiver that senses energy.
  • 4. The potty training device of claim 3, said sensor further including a transmitter configured to transmit energy to said receiver.
  • 5. The potty training device of claim 4, said transmitter being located so as to transmit energy across said opening to said receiver.
  • 6. The potty training device of claim 4, further comprising:a reflector located so as to receive radiation from said transmitter and reflect the energy toward said receiver.
  • 7. The potty training device of claim 4, said receiver being configured to sense light, said transmitter being configured to transmit light.
  • 8. The potty training device of claim 1, said sensor including at least one of an optical receiver, a heat receiver, a sound receiver, and a vibration receiver.
  • 9. The potty training device of claim 8, said sensor including said sound receiver and a sound generator located to transmit sound toward said sound receiver.
  • 10. The potty training device of claim 1, said sensor being an electronic sensor, further comprising:a housing separate from said seat and configured to be coupled to said seat, said sensor being housed in said housing.
  • 11. The potty training device of claim 10, further comprising a power source, said power source being located within said housing.
  • 12. The potty training device of claim 10, at least one of said housing and said seat having a mechanism configured to removably attach said housing to said seat.
  • 13. The potty training device of claim 12, said mechanism including flexible clips.
  • 14. The potty training device of claim 1, said sensory output generator being at least one selected from the group consisting of:an audible transducer, a visual transducer, a tactile transducer, a olfactory transducer, and a gustatory transducer.
  • 15. The potty training device of claim 14, said sensory output generator including at least said audible transducer.
  • 16. The potty training device of claim 1, further comprising:a support configured to support said seat at an elevated location with respect to a support surface.
  • 17. The potty training device of claim 16, further comprising:a receptacle for receiving bodily waste that passes through said opening.
  • 18. The potty training device of claim 16, said support including a plurality of legs that are removably coupleable to said seat.
  • 19. The potty training device of claim 1, said retaining member being located at least one of a first location on said seat and a second location on said seat, said retaining member fitting adjacent to at least a portion of an outer perimeter of a seat of the toilet or an outer perimeter of a bowl of the toilet when said retaining member is located at said first location, said retaining member fitting adjacent to at least a portion of an inner perimeter of the seat of the toilet or an inner perimeter of the bowl when said retaining member is located at said second location.
  • 20. The potty training device of claim 19, said retaining member protruding from an underside of said seat that faces the toilet when said seat is retained in place with respect to the toilet.
  • 21. The potty training device of claim 19, said retaining member being arcuate.
  • 22. The potty training device of claim 19, said retaining member being one of a plurality of retaining members.
  • 23. The potty training device of claim 19, said retaining member including at lease one circumferential lip.
  • 24. The potty training device of claim 19, said retaining member including at least one flexible member having a ridge configured to clasp onto an edge of the seat of the toilet or an edge of the bowl of the toilet.
  • 25. The potty training device of claim 1, said sensor being a first sensor, further comprising a second sensor for sensing when a user sits on said seat.
  • 26. The potty training device of claim 25, further comprising a controller configured to supply power to said first sensor in response to said second sensor sensing when a user sits on said seat.
  • 27. The potty training device of claim 25, said second sensor including a motion sensor.
  • 28. The potty training device of claim 26, said sensory output being a first sensory output, said controller being configured to cause said sensory output generator to generate a second sensory output in response to said second sensor sensing when the user sits on said seat, said first sensory output being different than said second sensory output.
  • 29. A potty training device comprising:a seat having an opening for receiving bodily waste; an electronic unit having a housing that at least partially contains a sensor for sensing the bodily waste, a power source, and a sensory output generator for outputting a sensory output when said sensor senses the bodily waste, at least one of said electronic unit and said seat including a mechanism configured and located to removably couple said electronic unit and said seat, said sensor being located so as to sense bodily waste received by said opening when said electronic unit and said seat are removably coupled; and at least one leg being removably coupled to said seat.
  • 30. The potty training device of claim 29, said sensor including a receiver that senses energy.
  • 31. The potty training device of claim 30, said sensor further including a transmitter configured to transmit energy to said receiver.
  • 32. The potty training device of claim 31, said transmitter being located so as to transmit energy across said opening to said receiver.
  • 33. The potty training device of claim 31, said receiver being configured to sense light, said transmitter being configured to transmit light.
  • 34. The potty training device of claim 29, said sensor including at least one of an optical receiver, a heat receiver, a sound receiver, and a vibration receiver.
  • 35. The potty training device of claim 29, said sensory output generator including an audible transducer.
  • 36. The potty training device of claim 29, further comprising:a support configured to support said seat at an elevated location with respect to a support surface.
  • 37. The potty training device of claim 29, further comprising:a receptacle for receiving bodily waste that passes though said opening.
  • 38. The potty training device of claim 29, said sensor being a first sensor, further comprising a second sensor for sensing when a user sits on said seat.
  • 39. The potty training device of claim 38, said sensory output being a first sensory output, further comprising a controller configured to cause said sensory output generator to generate a second sensory output in response to said second sensor sensing when the user sits on said seat, said first sensory output being different than said second sensory output.
  • 40. The potty training device of claim 29, said mechanism including a least one clip, at least one of said housing and said seat including said at least one clip.
  • 41. The potty training device of claim 40, said at least one clip being one of a plurality of clips.
  • 42. A potty training device comprising:a seat having an opening for receiving bodily waste; at least one leg removably coupled to said seat; means for sensing bodily waste; a power source; means for outputting a sensory output when said sensing means senses bodily waste; means for housing said sensing means, said power source, and said outputting means; and means for removably coupling said housing means and said seat such that said sensing means is located so as to sense bodily waste that passes through said opening.
  • 43. The potty training device of claim 42, further comprising:means for retaining said seat in place with respect to a toilet such that said opening of said seat is located above a bowl of the toilet.
  • 44. A potty training device comprising:a seat having an opening for receiving bodily waste, said seat including means for retaining said seat in place with respect to a toilet such that said opening of said seat is located above a bowl of the toilet; means for sensing bodily waste that passes through said opening; means for generating a sensory output in response to said means for sensing bodily waste; and means for removably coupling said means for sensing bodily waste to said seat.
  • 45. The potty training device of claim 44, further comprising:a support configured to support said seat at an elevated location with respect to a support surface.
  • 46. The potty training device of claim 45, said support including a plurality of support legs that are removably coupleable to said seat.
  • 47. The potty training device of claim 44, further comprising means for housing said sensing means and said generating means.
  • 48. The potty training device of claim 47, further comprising means for removably attaching said housing means to said seat.
  • 49. The potty training device of claim 44, further comprising:means for sensing when a user sits on said seat.
  • 50. A method comprising:retaining a seat in place with respect to a toilet such that a sensor of the seat is located so as to sense bodily waste that passes through an opening of the seat and into the toilet; and coupling an electronic unit having a housing that houses a power source, a sensory output generator, and an electric sensor for sensing bodily waste to a seat such that the sensor is located so as to sense bodily waste that passes through an opening of the seat.
  • 51. A potty training device comprising:a chair having a seat, an opening for receiving bodily waste, and an area for removably receiving a housing; a support configured to support said seat at an elevated location with respect to a support surface, said support being removably coupled to said seat; an electronic sensor for sensing bodily waste; and a sensory output generator for generating a sensory output in response to said electronic sensor sensing bodily waste, said electronic sensor and said sensory output generator being at least partially housed by said housing such that when said housing is received by said area said electronic sensor is located so as to sense bodily waste as the bodily waste passes through said opening.
  • 52. An apparatus comprising:a potty training device configured for operation in a first mode and in a second mode, the potty training device have a sensor for sensing bodily waste and a sensory output generator for generating a sensory output in response to said sensor sensing bodily waste, said potty training device having a seat retained in place with respect to a conventional toilet such that bodily waste that passes through an opening of said seat enters a bowl of the conventional toilet when said potty training device is operating in said first mode, said seat being supported above a support surface by a support such that bodily waste that passes through said opening of said seat enters a bowl of a receptacle of the potty training device when said potty training device is operating in said second mode.
  • 53. The apparatus of claim 52, further comprising:a controller configured to receive a signal from said sensor and cause said sensory output to be generated by said sensory output generator.
  • 54. The apparatus of claim 52, said sensor including a receiver that senses energy.
  • 55. The apparatus of claim 52, said sensory output generator being at least one selected from the group consisting of:an audible transducer, a visual transducer, a tactile transducer, a olfactory transducer, and a gustatory transducer.
  • 56. A potty training device comprising:a seat having an opening for receiving bodily waste, said seat including a retaining member configured and located so as to retain said seat in place with respect to a toilet such that said opening of said seat is located above a bowl of the toilet; a first sensor for sensing bodily waste, said sensor being located so as to sense bodily waste that passes through said opening of said seat; a second sensor for sensing when a user sits on said seat; and a sensory output generator for generating a sensory output in response to said sensor sensing bodily waste.
US Referenced Citations (38)
Number Name Date Kind
1172566 Sawyer Feb 1916 A
1281763 Carré Oct 1918 A
D147828 Beckwith Nov 1947 S
D148247 Kirkpatrick Dec 1947 S
2682914 Wing Jul 1954 A
2788764 Headlee Apr 1957 A
D201427 Roe Jun 1965 S
3235884 Rehsteiner Feb 1966 A
3343179 Sellars, Jr. et al. Sep 1967 A
3416163 Jordan Dec 1968 A
3691980 Shastal Sep 1972 A
D243088 Halvorsen Jan 1977 S
4162490 Fu et al. Jul 1979 A
4491991 Herbruck Jan 1985 A
4509215 Paz Apr 1985 A
4777672 Gebhard et al. Oct 1988 A
4777680 Paz Oct 1988 A
4883749 Roberts et al. Nov 1989 A
5008964 Dean et al. Apr 1991 A
D336789 Yang Jun 1993 S
D341650 Burden Nov 1993 S
5518405 Aiello May 1996 A
5535456 Chai Jul 1996 A
D377971 Vanakkeren et al. Feb 1997 S
5664867 Martin et al. Sep 1997 A
5668333 Horton et al. Sep 1997 A
5685029 Gee Nov 1997 A
5748096 Kaufer May 1998 A
5781939 Bledsoe Jul 1998 A
5852832 Voigt et al. Dec 1998 A
5870015 Hinkel Feb 1999 A
5893178 Wosiek Apr 1999 A
5974598 Granda-Cabrera Nov 1999 A
5978976 Chai Nov 1999 A
6028520 Maehre Feb 2000 A
6037871 Babylon Mar 2000 A
6052838 Thom et al. Apr 2000 A
6142849 Horton et al. Nov 2000 A
Foreign Referenced Citations (4)
Number Date Country
311143 Jan 1956 CH
2947815 Sep 1981 DE
2617-035 Dec 1988 FR
WO 0001290 Jan 2000 WO
Non-Patent Literature Citations (2)
Entry
Fisher-Price product ad for the Oh-So-Simple Potty from p. 146 of the Fisher-Price Toy Fair 1999 Product Catalog.
Fisher-Price product ads for the Step Stool Potty and the 1-2-3 Potty from pp. 18-19 of the Fisher-Price 1996 Children's Product Catalog.